Senior Pastor Search

After much prayer and consideration, First Baptist Powell is excited to announce Perry Garrett as our new Senior Pastor. Following his sermon in view of a call on June 21, 2020, Perry was unanimously affirmed by our congregation and formally accepted the position as our next Senior Pastor! Please be in prayer for the Garrett family’s transition from Texas to Tennessee; we anticipate Perry’s first Sunday back in Powell will be July 19. We are praising the Lord for unity amongst His people and for His faithfulness throughout this whole process!

For the past 12 years, Perry has served as the Senior Pastor at Grace Bible Church in Gatesville, TX. He and his wife, Tanna, have three children: Madeline (12), Titus (11), and Micah (6). Perry is currently working on his PhD in Patristics (Early Christian Studies) at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary after completing his undergraduate work in Biblical Studies at The Master’s University and graduate work in New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Congregational Prayer Requests

• Pray in this time of transition that we as a body at First Baptist Powell will have supernatural unity and togetherness. That we will glorify God in harmony together in accord with Christ.

Romans 15:5-6 (ESV) 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Pray that we as a congregation find our hope, joy and peace in God. That we walk in the Spirit and display the fruit of the Spirit.

Romans 5:13 (ESV) 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

• Pray that we will not be fearful of circumstances or changes, but find peace and rest in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

John 14:27 (ESV) 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

• Pray that we will have boldness and confidence in our God and His love for us regardless of circumstances or changes in our lives.

Romans 8:37-39 (ESV) 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Garrett Family Prayer Requests

• Pray that he and his family will find their home in the Lord. Pray for their transition as they prepare to leave their current congregation and move to Powell. Pray for their children who will be transitioning friendships and schooling.

Psalm 90:1 (ESV) 1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

• Pray that they will finish well and faithfully minister to the people of their current congregation through their transition. Pray for receptive hearts and humility as they inform their congregation once they can physically meet together again.

Acts 20:24 (ESV) 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV) 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Pray for the Lord’s provision for their current congregation in their upcoming search for a new pastor. Pray for the leadership of their church as they will prepare to go through a search and lead the congregation in the interim.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV) 8 It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Romans 8:28 (ESV) 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

• Pray for God’s perfect timing and pace for this transition.

Isaiah 28:16 (ESV) 16 therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalm 31:15a (ESV) 15 My times are in Your hand.

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Our team began the search process on August 3 of last year seeking the Lord and asking Him to lead us to the candidate
He had for our church. After meeting with every Lifegroup and analyzing the results of the congregational survey, we identified the four most important qualifications for our next Senior Pastor: Likeminded Theology, Expository Preaching, Leadership, and Oratory Skills.

After praying over 240 candidates, reviewing their qualifications, listening to hundreds of sermons and conducting interviews, Perry distinguished himself in all four of these categories as well as many others. Perry’s passion for God’s word and his ability to convey deep truths impressed our team. In visiting his church and meeting him in person, Perry’s desire to disciple others and develop leaders was evident. Throughout the process, Perry displayed a shepherd’s heart. His love for the gospel and his convictions around missions, evangelism and education align well with our vision.