I think it was about in the seventh grade for me when a
young, passionate preacher by the name of Wendell Baggett came to Russellville,
South Carolina and preached a revival for my home church – Russellville Christian
Church. From that time forward, there were several years where one spring it
would be Wendell Baggett and the next year Mike Portwood.
Wendell and Mike were both graduates of Atlanta Christian
College, the same school our new preacher had graduated from and my high school
years were shaped in many ways by the revival sermons they preached every other
spring!
Yesterday, 12 April 2017, Wendell’s life in our present
world ended. Everyone who knew Wendell knew this day was approaching and yet it
is difficult to accept that the world is no longer blessed by his presence.
My mother loved Wendell’s – or “Mr. Baggett” as she called
him – preaching. Often, as recently as this past summer, she would ask me, “How’s
Mr. Baggett?” After answering her question, she would reply with something like
“I never heard a preacher who could get so much out of one verse.” He made an
impact on her!
Over the years I don’t recall seeing Wendell that he didn’t
ask me about my parents. When my Dad died a few years ago, among the sweetest,
most comforting notes I got was a note from Wendell Baggett. His only
connection with my Dad and Mother was the occasional revival in Russellville
back in the 1960s, but he never lost the connection he made with them. That is
the definition of “pastor” at its best.
I had the privilege of teaching most of Wendell’s children
when they were students at Atlanta Christian College and Wendell’s oldest
daughter, Cindy, is married to Joey Westbrook and Joey and Cindy are among mine
and Vicki’s dearest friends. Wendell and Lynda raised their children in the
Lord, and what better thing could be said about parenting than that?
Wendell influenced many young men to enter into ministry.
For a while, there was almost always a group of young men making career changes
and enrolling at Atlanta Christian College from Northside Church of Christ in
Virginia. Among them was Billy Rowe – with whom I was privileged to work in
ministry for twenty years at First Christian Church in Tyrone. Ken Davidson was
also in that group. Billy and Marcella, along with Ken and Linda – and a host
of others – followed Wendell’s model of ministry in ways that have made a huge
impact on the kingdom of God. Tom Phelps and his family. Greg Wilson and his
family. H.B. Glosson and his family. The list could go on.
When I think about Wendell and his ministry, I immediately
am reminded of his passion that lost people have an opportunity to hear the
good news about Jesus. Wendell won’t be remembered for sermons filled with deep
theological ideas – but he won’t be forgotten because when all is said and
done, nothing is more important than lost people hearing the good news about
Jesus.
Wendell served the church with distinction. In particular, I
know about his ministries at Peachcrest Christian Church in Decatur; Northside
Church of Christ in New Port News, Virginia; and East Point Christian Church in
Georgia. He serve with distinction at Christian City for a number of years. He
made a great contribution to Atlanta Christian College as a trustee and
faithful supporter.
Wendell loved his faithful wife Lynda and their children,
Cindy, Patty, Tracy, and Chuck. He loved his sisters Betty and Carol. He loved
his friends and he loved the church. He was, in no uncertain terms, a kingdom person
who spent his life doing kingdom things.
I am grateful that my path in life crossed Wendell’s. I know
I am a better person because forty-plus years ago, a young preacher named
Wendell Baggett came to Russellville, South Carolina and preached the gospel
with a kind of passion for lost people that was more obvious than can be
described.
God bless his family and his friends who mourn his loss
today.
