A good and faithful servant: Rev. Larry Lewis has put in his work

Reverend Larry Lewis has been behind the podium teaching and preaching the word of God for 55 years and still ‘is no ways tired.’ Though that may sound like a great bit of time in one’s life, he has never second guessed a minute of it. “When you know who the captain is and who is steering the ship it doesn’t matter when the waters are smooth or rough, there’s no time for doubt,” he added with a stern look. 

At an age where most guys were already working a steady job or had made a career in military service, Lewis was using his voice singing gospel in the house of the Lord with the Angelic choir and the Buds of Promise at Center St. Baptist Church, then later notably with the True Lights gospel choir. At one point he caught the influence of pop secular music and attempted to join a local band, the Soul Sensations. Being torn between the two genres he inherently stayed under God’s wing. “One week I was singing My Girl; the next week I was accepting my calling,” he reflected. That was 1969. Once accepting his calling, he would meet on Friday and sometimes Saturday with then Center Street Baptist Church pastor Reverend Robert L. Coleman in the parsonage to hammer out a forthcoming Sunday message. From that time, he’s pastored Bethel Baptist Church in Utica, KY, and Pleasant Point Baptist in Pleasant Ridge, KY, before landing at Zion MBC in 1976. 

When did you accept Christ into your life?

I was baptized at eight years old under pastor Rev. R. B. Jackson at Center Street Baptist Church. Since being baptized some of my greatest moments in ministry has been helping save people and seeing someone accept Christ for their salvation.

What has been the hardest/darkest time of ministry for you? 

Managing the different personalities. Leadership of a flock is parallel with being a psychologist. It is a juggling act. “Everyone is different but wants a reasonable amount of your attention; to be heard, to be listened to,” he said. The dark defining moment was 1983 when the church sanctuary burned. A lot of history was lost in that fire. But the church carried on holding services at Dugan Best Community Center and the church’s fellowship hall, which was unharmed. Upon rebuilding, the congregation returned to the new sanctuary in 1987. Before rebuilding the church, it was noted in the church’s history that Zion M. B. C. at 117 years old began in 1909, the same year as the NAACP. 

Church today as we know is different. What changes have you noticed in today’s church? 

The pandemic interrupted regular church – it interrupted everything in humanity and order of life. Folks were told to not gather in proximity, to wear masks, to stay six feet distance from one another so they stayed home. Nearly every type of social event had been intercepted by the internet and impacted by COVID. From grocery shopping to family interaction, doctor visits, to church service in some form went from one-on-one intervention to isolated online computer exposure. Taking up that opportunity, Zion began offering online Sunday morning service that could be viewed at any time. With nearly five years in with this world-wide viral emergency, church congregations and live audiences remain shaded by low attendance. Much of this still has not recovered. 

What do you plan to do with your time now?

I’ll still be preaching, conducting weddings and funerals. I like fishing, following most major sports. People will keep me busy…I’ll never stop preaching, just not pastoring…delivering His word, “for the Bible tells me so.”

A gala/ roast was held for Rev. Lewis on April 21, at the H. L. Neblett Center surrounded by a full house audience. His retirement, 55th ministerial anniversary and final sermon is May 17, 2026, 10:45 AM at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Owensboro, KY.  Lewis is a graduate of American Baptist Seminary of Nashville, Tennessee.