An unexpected journey of life and ministry has led a man born at Fort Knox back to pastor one of Kentucky’s oldest churches, not far from the well-known military installation. Curtis Woods was called to be the next lead pastor of Severns Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown on Sept. 27.

Woods says God began stirring in him the desire to pastor a local church in 2019 and used the COVID-19 pandemic to lead him to Severns Valley. “After months of preaching to a camera and ministering via email and phone calls to several members, the Holy Spirit impressed an insatiable desire to shepherd this body. I awaited confirmation from others within the body.

“I received it and began the journey toward pastoring this beautiful body of baptized believers,” Woods said.

Woods served as pulpit supply for many months following the departure of Severn Valley’s long-time lead pastor Bill Langley. Langley left in late January to serve with the International Mission Board.

Kevin Ray served as the chair of the church’s pastor search committee. “The church survey identified seven leadership strengths the church desired in our next lead pastor, a pastor/ shepherd; a strong leader; an expository preacher; a teacher of God’s Word; a visionary; an evangelist; and a relational counselor. As a team, we found Dr. Woods to not only possess all seven of these leadership qualities, but that he excels in each area based on our personal experience and time spent with him,” said Ray.

Woods has served on the KBC mission board staff for almost 15 years. He first served as a regional campus missionary in Frankfort and Georgetown and became associate executive director for convention relations in 2012.

KBC Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Gray believes Woods will be a wonderful leader at the historic Kentucky Baptist church, “Dr. Woods is not only an excellent preacher and teacher but also an evangelistic leader. My prayer is that God will use him to help Severns Valley continue to impact their community with the gospel.”