Young Pastor Guides Flock Through Major Construction Effort

LIVINGSTON, December 18, 2007 – When you’re anywhere in downtown Livingston, Texas, it’s all but impossible to not see the giant edifice going up on 506 N. East Street.  When complete, the enormous structure will be the largest church building to ever be erected in Polk County’s history.  Welcome to Central Baptist Church, the slogan of this building project:  “The Excitement is Building”.  Central’s total number of members is over 1,700 and growing and being led by a young ambitious pastor from Kentucky, Barry Jeffries.

Pastor Barry Jeffries with massive sanctuary as a backdrop

While Jeffries is doing a remarkable job of leading his flock, as members will attest, he’s quick to deflect any credit directed at him, but would rather give all credit and glory to God. “It is the faith of God’s people at Central that encourages me.  I know that what we are doing is bigger than any of us are able to accomplish on our own.  There have been times that my faith has wavered and I have wondered whether we are biting off more than we can chew, but God continues to confirm through His people that we are following His will.”

Since Jeffries assumed the role of Pastor over Central, the church has grown in more ways than one.  “Central has grown not only numerically but more importantly I believe we have grown spiritually. Jeffries Says.   We have witnessed the salvation of many who were without Christ and we have seen people, young and old, come to be a part of the Central family.  Believers at Central are giving themselves to ministry.  Through our FAITH evangelism strategy, nearly 75 people have been trained to lead someone else to Christ.  Our CUP ministry shares the love of Christ with the Correctional Officers at the TDC Polunsky unit.  Our SEED ministry is dedicated to teaching English to eager students on Wednesday nights.  We have believers who are delivering meals on Wednesday nights as well as a team that does minor home repair and maintenance.  New Bible study and discipleship classes are starting regularly to help us walk more closely with our Lord.”

“The Excitement is Building”, indeed, as local revival seems to be taking place, the renaissance at Central has locals from all over Polk County and beyond taking notice.  Thebuilding of the colossal new 7 million dollar sanctuary is progressing at a very fast pace.  “The actual construction began in earnest around March, 2007,” he says “After several months of rain delay.  We are planning on the construction being complete by Christmas 2008.”  The completed Worship Center will house a sanctuary that will seat over 1,000 worshippers.  It will contain new Bible Study rooms, a choir suite, a prayer chapel, and a bridal/reception room.

Jeffries, 44, with his wife Gay, and their three children Jacob 18, Daniel 15, and Abigail 11 assumed the role of Pastor at Central in 2004.  After being a pastor in two churches in Kentucky for 19 years, Jeffries says: “We finally made it to Texas”, where he and his family have fully embraced his East Texas congregation and gladly calls Livingston home.  The Jeffries’ are regulars at community events like the Friday night football games to watch the Lions.  Jeffries is backed by a team of young dedicated associate pastors:  Joel Salazar, 49, Associate Pastor/Minister of Music, Randall Whitt, 40, Minister of Spiritual development, Steve Horn, 44, Associate Pastor/Youth Minister.  At the backbone of Central’s resurgence are a team of workers, volunteers, and a congregation with a cause for spreading the good news.