LOWELL—Jim Lenderman,

57, of Lowell, Ark., entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on May 16, 2021. He now sees and experiences in full what he has read about ,

trusted in, hoped for, shared, and taught his entire life.

Jim was a native of Carlisle, Ark., where he grew up and attended First United Methodist Church with his family every Sunday. He graduated from Carlisle High School and attended the University of Arkansas, where he graduated with a BS in business administration.

One week after he graduated he married the love of his life, Beth Tarter. He worked a brief stint for TCBY in Little Rock, then as a division manager in east Tennessee and West Virginia before he pursued God’s call on his heart to be a pastor and enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.

A member of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church, he has served pastorates at First United Methodist Church, Hot Springs; Parker’s Chapel/ Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, El Dorado; First United Methodist Church, Prescott; Grace United Methodist Church, Conway; and Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Okla.

He was serving as senior pastor of Central United Methodist Church, Rogers, before his passing. Jim’s 30 years of ministry have been characterized by his devotion to God and his heart for God’s people, his faithfulness in every church he has served, from small to large, and his emphasis on leading his people in the discipline and practice of prayer.

Last year Jim received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, but through the battle, his faithful witness was unwavering and he faced his own death with courage and dignity.

Jim is remembered for his love of the Lord, his servant’s heart and his pursuit of holiness; his witty sense of humor; his love for the Arkansas Razorbacks; and the wonderful husband and father he was to his family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Ena Lou Lenderman and brotherin-law Carl Kelley.

Jim leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Beth; sons Hayden (27) and Jordan (23); siblings Annette Kerr (Larry), Virginia Kelley, Jerry Lenderman, Ron Lenderman (Brenda), Billy Lenderman (Ann), David Lenderman (Gwen) and John Lenderman (Cheryl); and many wonderful nieces, nephews and extended family.

Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 20, 2021, at Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th St., Rogers, Ark. A celebration of Jim’s life will be 10 a.m. Friday at Central United Methodist Church, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com .

In lieu of flowers, Jim asked that any donations in his memory would be made to the Northern India Church Planting Initiative through Central United Methodist Church in Rogers, Ark.