Retiring First Baptist Pastor Rick Grant to be honored Feb. 25
A lifetime of service will be celebrated during the retirement celebration for Rick
Grant, pastor of First Baptist Church in Benton.
The service will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25, at the worship center. Clay Cunningham, who currently serves as Next Generation pastor, said that the community will have an opportunity to thank the pastor who has served them so well for the past 38 years.
“Pastor Rick has led with humility and with a servant’s heart as he has invested into the lives of so many families in our congregation and community,” Cunningham said.
The service is open to the public and will include music and stories from different people who have served with Grant. A reception with refreshments and cake will immediately follow in Selph Hall.
“The community is welcome to be a part of his retirement service and reception,” Cunningham said. “We will have a designated spot for individuals and families to bring cards and notes of encouragement.”
During Grant’s tenure, said Cunningham, he has led many initiatives, such as the construction and debt elimination of the current worship center. But the heart of his mission was spreading good news.
“The biggest impact that Pastor Rick and his family has had on [First Baptist Church] is the constant focus he has placed on the power of Jesus Christ to transform lives,” Cunningham said. “The Gospel has been at the core of everything we continue to be about as a church.”
The commitment did not come without sacrifice. Cunningham pointed out that Grant’s wife, Susan, and their children — Amber, Sarah and Wes — walked alongside him to carry out the mission.
“Many times Rick has been called on to make an urgent hospital visit or to minister during a tragedy at the expense of time with his kids,” he said. “Amber, Sarah and Wes have sacrificed as well, but I know how proud they are to have a dad who loves Jesus, his family and the church so well and with a tremendous amount of integrity.”
It was that steady dedication that impacted staff and community alike, said Cunningham, who has been called to take over the position.
“I don’t know of one defining moment, but rather a collection of moments where Rick has just been steady and present for me as an individual and for my family,” Cunningham said. “Rick is a leader that doesn’t desire the spotlight, but rather leads with a consistent care and concern for people.”
Like her husband, Susan Grant made her own quiet impact, Cunningham said, as
she worked with the women of the church.
“Susan has been a listening ear for many women in our church who have walked through difficult journeys. She has always been a woman who loves the Word of God and has been faithful to share that love with many women in our congregation,” Cunningham said.
While the Grants’ leadership will be missed, their legacy will live on in the lives of the people they have impacted throughout their 38-year journey.
“I think anytime an individual is able to have a long tenure at his/ her place of employment is a testimony to their desire to continue to see the big picture and stay committed to the mission of the organization,” Cunningham said. “Pastor Rick has done that well as the Lord has used Him to be a stable leader for many years. I will forever be indebted to him for his investment into my life as a husband, father and leader.”