TEXARKANA, Ark. - There have been 20 pastors at Beech Street Baptist Church in its 117-year history. As the 20th pastor of Beech Street, looking back on his 13 years at the church, Pastor Craig Jenkins describes his time as a "continuum of service."
"When I arrived here, this church already had a long-running tradition of serving this community," Jenkins said. "Established in 1904, moving into the historic building they have worshipped at since 1906, the congregation of Beech Street has had a great past and has sought to remain reaching and relevant, which over that span of time is a challenge. I was honored to play my part."
Jenkins is leaving to take a position with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.
He is the second longest serving pastor in Beech Street history, the first-longest serving one is Dr. O. J. Wade, who led the church from 1918 to 1940.
"It is overwhelming to think of the span of history he witnessed that touched this town in the time he was at this church," Jenkins said. "Both world wars, so many amazing inventions and developments, just the witness to history in that time is awe-inspiring to consider."
A church that serves that long develops a multi-generational congregation, with families who also claim a long history with the church.
"We have ministries ranging from senior adults to babies," he said. "And it is a challenge to maintain relevant ministries to all those segments of the congregation, to all those generations. It is probably one of the toughest challenges a church - especially as one as long-lived as ours - faces."
The pastors of Beech Street have risen to this challenge.
"Each of our pastors have been part of our church's story and traditions, this continuity of service," he said. "Some people think that a church rides on the shoulders of one person, but I can tell you it is not true. In reality, a healthy church is working because a lot of people are doing a lot of thing. This continues after a particular pastor leaves."
As for what in particular has been accomplished in his tenure, Jenkins looks to things like the church's "New Day " campaign.
"This, we did from '09 to '12," he said. "We raised $2.2 for a serious infrastructure and facility improvement project, especially the building next to the main church complex. That's our education building, where our children's ministry and care is located."
Beech Street's focus on missions is long-standing.
"We support missions and ministries in the field," he said. "Mission partnerships have been a part of this church's ministry for most of its history. We have partners in Honduras, Latvia, Nebraska, Cleveland (Michigan), various churches in Arkansas."
Jenkins also emphasizes Beech Street's effort to reach to the younger generations to ensure ongoing continuity.
"I was very intent that an historical church become history," he said. "We put lots of energy and resources towards ministering to the next generations and helping them prepare to take on the role. Our youth and kids ministries are very strong."
Lastly, he is keen on the church's efforts in community involvement.
"It is all about being a good neighbor," said Jenkins. "From our involvement in Texarkana's reawakening downtown, to my work as a Texarkana, Arkansas, fire chaplain, Beech Street has worked hard to be a good part of the community."
Jenkins' next calling is to join the Arkansas Baptist State Convention as Director of Communications, Advancement and News.
"ABSC is the state counterpart to the National Southern Baptist Convention," he said. "They are partners with over 1500 Southern Baptist churches in Arkansas."
Jenkins' job with ABSC will be in an executive role on a team working with and serving their partner churches, expediting communications all across the state.
"It will be just a continuation of what Beech Street does," he said. "Seeking to help change lives through the work of Christ.
Beyond church and community, Jenkins has been involved in changes that hit closer to home.
"When I and my wife, Melanie, came here with our three boys, they were just little kids," he said. "Now, they are young men, entering the next stages of their lives. My eldest, Ryan, 25, is married and lives in El Dorado, Arkansas. Reid, 22, is engaged and a nursing student at Ouachita Baptist University in Little Rock. Rett, 15, my youngest, is a sophomore in high school. I'm very thankful my boys had the experience of growing up in Texarkana. My two oldest are graduates of Arkansas High School."
"I may be leaving Beech Street in Texarkana, but Beech Street in Texarkana will never leave me," Jenkins said. "To the next pastor of Beech Street, I hope he and his family will be loved like I and my family have been loved."
Next step for Beech Street Baptist Church will be to elect a pastor search committee and begin the process of seeking the church's next leader.