Walnut Church of Christ welcomes new pastor
Patrick L. Cannon will become the preaching minister at Walnut Church of Christ on Sunday, following his father, Dr. John H. Cannon, Jr., who has served there since Jan. 1, 1999.
It will be a special day of celebration at the church with the “passing of the baton of faith” from father to son.
John Cannon will speak a charge to Patrick Cannon as he assumes the preaching responsibilities at Walnut. It will be a historic occasion for the Walnut congregation and the Cannon family.
Patrick is the third generation in the Cannon family to preach in churches of Christ. His grandfather, John H. Cannon, Sr., preached for nearly 60 years, mainly in Southwest Arkansas.
Patrick follows his father, John, Jr., who recently retired after 53 years in full-time ministry.
Many Walnut Church of Christ church members have had all three of the Cannons as their minister over that time.
Patrick and his father have had the privilege of serving the same two congregations over the years. John preached for the Lamar Avenue Church in Paris, Texas (1977-1988) where Patrick has served the last 18 years (1999-2017). Now, Patrick is coming to follow his father's ministry in Texarkana.
John Cannon said, “My father, John Cannon Sr., would be so happy to know his grandson is keeping the legacy of preaching and ministry alive in our family. The fact that our three generations have served churches in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas since the 1940s is very humbling. Our families have been blessed to be associated with great Christian people and great local churches.”
John Cannon, who now likes to be a affectionately referred to as Walnut's minister emeritus, has served in a transition role as interim minister since November 2016.
“We have retired in Paris, Texas, where our other children and grandchildren live. We are now members of our former church home, Lamar Avenue Church of Christ in Paris. I hope to continue to preach as opportunities come. Our time in Texarkana has been most rewarding. To preach for the Walnut Church for nearly 19 years marks our longest tenure in ministry. We are so glad we were at Walnut downtown (1999-2003) and we were also part of the relocation to Moores Lane in 2004. I have often said, ‘Walnut built a new church building on Moores Lane, but God has built a new church.'”
Patrick reflected about the journey.
“God is so good. Our family feels so blessed to be a part of the Walnut family. To be able to come and serve with this great church at this time in her history is truly a gift from God. Walnut has a great leadership team of elders, deacons, and ministers and we feel so blessed to partner alongside all of you on this journey together. Through this whole process, our family has seen the providential hand of God at work and we truly feel that God has opened a new door of opportunity for us. I am humbled and blessed to be able to follow my dad as the next preaching minister. All I can really say is ‘God can do more than we ask or imagine…'”
The Walnut Church of Christ has been a part of Texarkana since 1920 with locations on Broad Street, Pine Street, Walnut Street, Hazel Street, and Moores Lane. The congregation moved to its present, 30-acre campus on Moores Lane in 2004. The church membership stands is approximately 700. The church is led by 11 elders, 20 deacons and a ministerial staff of four. Walnut will celebrate its 100th year in Texarkana in 2020.
Patrick Cannon has been in full-time ministry for 25 years. He has a degree in Bible from Abilene Christian University and is working toward a Masters in Ministry from Harding University. He and Kari Ann have been married 25 years and have four children: Bailey, 21; Samuel, 18; Abby, 15; and Daniel 13.