By Susan Edmondston, Editor Emeritus
The First Baptist Church, in Protection, has a new minister, James Robert “Roddy” Arnold.
Roddy is a nickname that stuck from early childhood for the Baptist preacher.
Roddy and his wife, Jeana, are in the process of moving from the Woodward, Okla., area into the Baptist parsonage two blocks west of the church.
His first official sermon was on Sunday, June 14.
Vacation Bible School, an annual event, happened at the Baptist church June 30, July 1 and July 2. The younger families organized a family-oriented VBS. The theme was “What a Mess,” and local children entering sixth grade and below were invited on Facebook to register. Supper was served at 5:30 p.m. and the VBS festivities started at 6 p.m. and continued until 8 p.m.
Arnold agreed to participate by getting a pie in the face. At previous churches, he agreed to kissing a pig, sitting above a dunk tank, having his tie cut and his hair cut.
Education and Ministry
It was late spring 1985 when he was thinking of a sermon that Roddy, age 20, first felt the call to go into the ministry.
Later in life he received a General Bible degree from Liberty Baptist College (founded in 1971 by televangelist Jerry Falwell Sr.)
Roddy’s first church in which to preach was the Fundamental Baptist Church in Wellington, Texas. He was there a couple of years. The congregation was small, 30-35 people.
He pastored larger churches, one in Long Beach, Calif. In 2009, he received his doctoral degree in theology from Slidell Baptist Seminary, headquartered in Slidell, La. Since there was not a physical campus in nearby Los Angeles Arnold went through a correspondence-based theological education for working pastors.
When he was between church jobs, Arnold was employed by Anderson Wholesale in Muskogee, Okla., and traveled throughout southeast Oklahoma.
This is his first time in Kansas. He is not too familiar with this state. He saw an ad that the Baptist church in Protection had placed in The Baptist Messenger, the third largest newspaper in Oklahoma. He met with the pulpit committee in Protection on a Tuesday night, then after considering the other resumes, the committee contacted him again to come preach. He was approved via a congregational vote and started his ministry here June 14.
The Arnold Family
Arnold is an only child, born on Feb. 1, 1965. His dad had 16 siblings and his mother had 13, so he has lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jeana has a sister. Her brother passed away in 1982.
His hometown is Sherman, Texas – a stand-alone city of 43,000 (in 2020) located 10 to 15 minutes from the Texas-Oklahoma border. He graduated from high school there.
He and Jeana dated for three weeks, then he asked her to marry him. She said “yes” and this year, they will celebrate their 42nd wedding anniversary on Oct. 5.
The husband and wife have three children, one boy and two girls. All are grown, married, live in the Dallas area. The Arnolds now have 10 grandchildren. Their son is a project plant engineer for Sunny Delight. The oldest daughter is vice-president of operations for Gentiva. Their youngster daughter is a registered respiratory therapist.
The first week of June the entire Arnold family takes a vacation together each year, Sunday through Thursday. The decision is made at Christmas where to go. One time it was to Gulf Shore, Ala. Another time it was to South Padre Island in south Texas. This year it was to Lake Eufaula State Park in Oklahoma. Next year they might decide to go to Colorado or Red River, N.M.
Arnold says he is an extrovert but his wife is an introvert. He swims and taught his children and grandchildren to swim, but commented that Jeana just sinks.
They have had large gardens, mainly vegetables, when they lived in Texas, but were not very successful gardeners in Oklahoma.
Arnold likes Tex-Mex food. And he does simple cooking.
Jeana is very good with children, sings alto, and substitutes for Sunday School teachers. She likes to read. Presently, she has an office job in Woodward with Haven Home Health & Hospice.
They seldom watch television, but Roddy does when Baker Mayfield, former quarterback for OU Sooners and now for Tampa Bay Buccanneers, has games.
Arnold is looking forward to attending South Central’s home football games.
He has a sense of humor. For example, when he was being interviewed, he was asked if he collected anything. His answer: “Well, I tried collecting $100 bills but that didn’t work.”
Roddy and Jeana have taken numerous Carnival cruises, traveling to the Caribbean islands.
They have done a lot of traveling together in the states that border Texas, but most of their traveling now is with family.
Come Meet Arnold
The Protection Baptist Church has Sunday School at 9:45 and worship services at 11 a.m. The second Sunday every other month, a meal is after the worship service followed by the business meeting.
If you see a vehicle at the Baptist church during the week, Pastor Roddy is available mornings in the church office. You can also contact him by calling 903-294-8278 or through his email, roddyarnold65@gmail.com.
