Story and Photos by Jessica Isaacs | jessica@highcountrypress.com
Hundreds of local people and many out-of-town friends and family poured into the National Guard Armory in Boone on Saturday evening, Aug. 6 to recognize, celebrate and enjoy fellowship with four longstanding pastors and their wives.
The honored couples included: the Rev. Gordon and Jane Noble, the Rev. Billy and Libby Warren, the Rev. Delmar and Dianne James and the Rev. Herbert and Jean McCoy.
Together, the couples have served a combined total of nearly 200 years in Watauga County.
The celebration was coordinated by the Rev. Charlie Martin of Bethel Baptist Church.
“We should never underestimate the importance of saying ‘thank you’ to those who help us along the road of life. Since I have been over here the past several years, the stories of the older pastors in this county have been so special to me,” Martin said in a previous interview. “There are several other pastors that have done a great service to this area, also; God just impressed on me that this would just be a starting point. Perhaps something could be done again next year with other spiritual leaders who, too, have touched the hearts of Watauga County.”
The program included a gospel concert from popular local bluegrass group Amantha Mill, brief messages delivered by each couple and prayers from the Rev. Scott Andrews, senior pastor at Alliance Bible Fellowship, and the Rev. Greg Heisler, senior pastor at Mount Vernon Baptist Church.
Following the messages, these four couples laid hands on a number of young pastors in the community as the crowd joined in a powerful prayer for the future of the church, the people, the county and the country.
After a song from the Homegoing Choir and singers from various churches, guests enjoyed cake, coffee and fellowship with the guests of honor.
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