Pastor Larry Sims will be honored during the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday at First Baptist Church Moores Lane for his dedication and faithfulness during 40 years with the church.
A reception celebrating his 40th anniversary with the church will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the church atrium. Everyone is welcome to attend. A love offering is being collected to present to him that morning.
Sims arrived at First Baptist Church of Texarkana in 1978 as Minister of Activities and was the only staff member at the church's Moores Lane location, then known as the Christian Life Center.
In 1978, the only structure at the church's current Moores Lane location was the gymnasium, a few classrooms and a ball field. Now the church occupies the same site with a campus of 40 acres, including a 2,400-seat worship center along with state-of-the-art facilities to serve the 4,000-member congregation.
Sims was a consistent part of that journey from then to now and has served in the pastorates of five different men-Dr. D.L. Lowrie, John Keller, Tim Wilson, Dr. Terry Land and the current pastor, Dr. Jeff Schreve. He served during four interim periods when he led the congregation during some crucial times in the life of the church, including the relocation of First Baptist Church from downtown to the current location.
After his first three years of serving as minister of activities, the church asked Sims to move to the position of associate pastor with most of his responsibilities being at the Moore Lane location, as well as serving in the area of pastoral care for both church locations.
Sims has conducted hundreds of both funerals and weddings. He has baptized countless people and been involved with the highs and lows of so many people. "What a great honor it is to represent Christ and walk through the mountains and valleys with the people God has brought into my life," Sims said.
As a part of the Senior Adult Ministry, he teaches a weekly Tuesday Senior Adult Bible Study with a weekly attendance of more than a hundred.
In addition to his role at First Baptist, Larry has been involved with many activities in the community, including Hospice of Texarkana. He was on the original board when hospice began more than 30 years ago with a gift from the Junior League of Texarkana. He once again serves on the board of hospice as well as the president of the Hospice of Texarkana Foundation. Sims was honored last year with the opening of the new Hospice of Texarkana Inpatient Center by the naming of the chapel "The Larry Sims Chapel of Caring."
"Pastor Jeff and the staff and church family have been so gracious to me and tolerate my slowing gait and forgotten names," Sims said. "It has been an incredible privilege to be a part of the history of this incredible church. In truth, I have never seen more exciting days at First Baptist and, as long as health and the Lord allows me to be part, I want to enjoy the ride and be found faithful, finishing well. The blessings have never been greater."