Greetings, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is Larry Sparks, the blessed Pastor of Blackburn Chapel Baptists Church. This is my third time to Pastor Blackburn and I love the Church and the people. I have invested 16 years of my life here, beginning back in 1978.
My wife is Vickie, who is a strong Christian woman of faith and a wonderful support. We have five daughters and 17 grandchildren, with several great grandkids. These are gifts and the centerpiece of our world. We both love the world and our family.
I formerly managed supermarkets for J.B. Pratt, and then surrendered to preach. I attended OBU and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I was an older, more serious student. I have served as Pastor in Oklahoma and three churches in Hawaii. I have started churches all over the world in missionary work. I have preached over 100 revivals and served as a Hospital Chaplain for 14 years. Ministry in jails and prisons and juvenile home have been part of my ministry also, as well as over 1,500 funerals. I have been in ministry for 50 years.
I was saved at the age of eight years, at First Baptist Church of Chandler, Oklahoma. There I was baptized in 1956, having received Jesus as my personal savior and Lord. God called me to preach in my mid-twenties and I have enjoyed serving as a Pastor for 50 years.
My goal in ministry is to build up the Kingdom of God and lead the local church in doing that spiritual task. Every person is of the upmost value to the ministry, their unique gift is needed to have a healthy and Spirit-filled church. Worship is essential, for God inhabits the praise of His people. Evangelism is a commanded task for all believers and the church. Christian education in Bible Teaching and Preaching is a must in a culture of shallow discipleship. Every age and area of Men, Women, Children, and Youth must contribute. That is our goal. The Lord has created here a loving and warm fellowship of unity of peace and purpose. Come join us!
“I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. But it is not I but Christ living in me. And the life I now live is by the faith in Christ, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Sincerely Yours!
Securely His!
Pastor’s Vision for BCBC
My vision for Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church is for us to accomplish God’s will in these waning shadows of life and declining of years. Though aging affects me, God compensates. My vision for my church is to win souls to Christ, develop leadership, disciple believers, multiply myself through others, and experience revival in a fresh new way. A movement of God that will continue long after I am gone.
I must be healthy, focused, open to challenges, positive, and powered by the Holy Spirit. I pray the staff see their work as a ministry with vision. I will support and resource them wherever needed. My new song is “Be Thou My Vision”.
-Bro. Larry D. Sparks