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CHAPMANVILLE — Shining Light United Baptist Church recognized their new pastor Rev. Rick Adkins, his wife Faye and son Benji with a luncheon on August 5.

Former pastor Sherman Smith gave the welcome speech, special singing was by Chuck Compton and special speaker was the Rev. Glenn White, who was Adkins’ mentor during his ministry at Central United Baptist Church of Holden.

Born May 3, 1962, Adkins is a son of Benny and Catherine Adkins of Mud Fork. He married Faye Runyon on January 6, and they have one son, Benjamin “Benji” who loves baseball.

Adkins is owner of Adkins Excavating and Paving, while Faye works for the Logan County Board of Education as a special needs aide and also a cosmetologist.

Adkins was baptized March 1996 at Central United Baptist Church. Starting as a “shy and backward” young Christian, he moved onto trustee and then Chairman for many years. Later he served as assistant on Wednesday night services and proved to be the perfect replacement to open service devotions and soon went on to become a deacon June 2000 where he made significant renovations to Central’s sanctuary, installing a sound booth to accommodate the sound equipment.

Still searching for that “inner peace”, Adkins wore many hats during a period of 15- 16 years, sound controller, recording services, weddings and funerals, then onto choir leader and assisting wherever needed. However, his true ambition lay with his mentor, Pastor White.

“I feel God placed me there with him to receive the training and guidance I would need,” said Adkins. “Had I announced my call early on, I would not have received the rich training of do’s and don’ts that I have been so blessed to acquire over these 16 years.”

Adkins said he struggled with the call to preach, spending many nights worrying, troubled, praying and reading the scriptures. With encouragement from Donnie Bannister who told him ‘It would be better to try and fail than to not do it and be out of the will of God,’ Adkins announced his calling in October 2009, was set forth in February 2010 and was ordained July 2011.

During the time Adkins was awaiting his ordination, he became acquainted with Smith who invited him to Shining Light to speak on numerous occasions.

Humbled by Smith’s meek and humble spirit and his confidence placed in him, Adkins volunteered his assistance during Smith’s accident. Proving himself with to the congregation at Shining Light and to Sherman who continued to have failing health, Adkins was asked to become the next pastor for the church in July 2012.

“God has given me a great vision for the future of the church,” said Adkins. “Faye, Benji and I feel very blessed that God has placed us with a special group of loving people. We are looking forward to this journey with you and your families.”