It’s not the most common thing for a preacher to last more than just a few years at a church.
Calvary Baptist Church just recently celebrated their pastor, Dennis Coats, having his 40th anniversary at the church. He officially started on October 10, 1983, and his congregation have loved him the entire 40 years and are thrilled to still have Dennis as part of the church and their lives.
He has made a huge impact on members of his church and the surrounding community over the years.
“He’s been such a blessing to us for 40 years,” stated Pat Johnson and her husband, James. “We were there when the pulpit committee brought him to the church at Calvary, and he was immediately accepted and loved ever since. He’s a great pastor and friend, an excellent preacher, and is a good teacher of the Bible. He knows that well. We just have so much to be thankful for. God has blessed us with such a fine man to be our pastor. We just can’t say enough good things about him. He’s always there at the drop of a hat if anybody needs him. There’s no doubt about it at all. He’s just a very special, God-sent to us. It doesn’t seem like it’s been 40 years, but it’s been some good years. He’s such a fine man and has a good family.”
He has been a huge blessing to his church and family alike.
“He has been my pastor for 40 years. Not only has he been my pastor for 40 plus years, but he has been my brother-in-law for 50 plus years,” declared Kathy Hunter. “His passion in life is serving the Lord, being a pastor, and serving others. He visits pretty much every day to hospitals, nursing homes, and shut-ins. It doesn’t have to be inside our church family. If he knows anybody from anywhere that is in the hospital or something, he goes beyond our church to visit and help people. He is a people person. He loves to talk and visit, and that’s what he lives for—to help somebody somewhere. He was also the rock in our family that 50 plus years that he was my brother-in-law. He was there through thick and thin and sicknesses. He did his part in helping, and I just can’t say enough how much I love him and appreciate him for everything he’s done for me and my family.”
One member has experienced just how much he loves and cares about others, even when they are not members of his church.
“To me, Bro. Dennis is like Bro. Grady Crowell. He’s a friend and pastor to all of Clarke County,” declared Linda Hollingsworth. “When my dad was sick, Bro. Dennis was not his pastor, but he was constantly checking on him. He did his funeral 100 miles away in Carthage. My mom was sick for 15 years. He was every week checking on her and also did her funeral. He again traveled 100 miles to Carthage. Even on birthdays, he would call and remember. On anniversaries of deaths, he would call and remember. To me, he’s gone way beyond being a pastor. He’s just a friend and caring person for all of Clarke County.”
Even if he is not able to physically assist others, he is known as a strong prayer warrior in the community.
“I’ve always known him to be a man of God,” proclaimed his wife, Linda Coats. “He puts God first. Anything I’ve ever seen him do, he prays about it first. He puts Him first and waits and lets God lead him into what He wants him to do before he does it. He has a strong dedication to God and a strong dedication to people and his congregation. He puts God first, others second, and himself last always. He’s a prayer warrior. Every day, you wouldn’t believe the prayer list that he goes through name by name. Every morning during a devotional, he calls people by name, anyone from President of the United States, Supreme Court, State and County leaders, and other people in office—he prays for them name by name. If he tells you that he’s going to pray for you, he does it. He doesn’t even have to look at the church prayer list so to speak. He knows it and calls it name by name of everybody on the prayer list. He remembers people’s birthdays. Whether they’re just friends or people at Calvary, he has a list of their birthdays, and they get a phone call on their birthday or anniversary. He helps people any way that he can.”
Church members who have known him from the beginning proudly proclaim how he has never changed and is still the humble servant to others and the same hard worker that he has always been.
“He’s always been there when we needed him. He’s kind of a little bit like Jesus. He’s the same yesterday and today,” said Polly Parker. “I met him 30 years ago or longer, and he still hasn’t changed. I know he worked an extra job to support his family. He never let the church go, and he never let his job go. He did both to a tee. He honored his church, he honored his job, and he honored his family. I’ve never met a pastor like him. He’s down to earth and just can’t be still sometimes.”
All of the time and effort he puts in for both the church and community are greatly recognized. He has developed a reputation for being both a strong pastor and preacher.
“I’ve known pastors, and I’ve known preachers. Not every preacher is a pastor. There is a big difference,” explained Bethany Morgan. “Bro. Dennis is both! I have seen firsthand that Bro. Dennis is not only a pastor to the people of Calvary Baptist Church, but he is a pastor to Clarke County! He is always there for anybody who needs somebody to talk to. He always has a kind word for everyone, and he always has time for everyone. Bro. Dennis has a very big heart and has been there for my family during the good times and the bad times. I am thankful my family has a pastor like Bro. Dennis Coats.”
For those visiting the church, his welcoming and loving personality are some of the things that helped them know that the church was where God wanted them to be.
“He’s a good preacher, but he is a wonderful pastor,” proclaimed Veronica Parker. “He will do without something himself if he thinks you need it. About 18 years ago when I was looking for a church, I walked in Calvary, and he was the most welcoming person I’ve ever seen. He loves everybody, and he wants to help everybody.”
His church and the community congratulate Dennis on reaching 40 years at Calvary Baptist Church. He will continue to be a blessing and inspiration to those around him as he does what he does best and serves the Lord.
