Leadership Profile - Pastor Hank Ledbetter
BIO
Widower since July 1997
3 children; Meshelle (Jeff) Thompson; Bryan (Wanda) Ledbetter; Mark (Mary) Ledbetter.
Six grandchildren; Wesley Thompson, Senior @ Kansas Wesleyan University; Matthew Ledbetter, Junior @ Pittsburg State College; Scott Thompson, Freshman @ Crowder College; Marcus Ledbetter, Freshman @ Southeastern Community College; Garrett Ledbetter, Senior @ Athens, Tennessee High School and Cameron Nunley, 4th Grader @
Cherokee Ride, Rossville, Georgia.
Retired from U. S. Navy after 20 years service (July 1956/August 1976) with the rank of Chief Storekeeper (E-7).
During military years completed over 250 hours of Individual Counseling, and Substance Abuse Counseling.
Participated in the U.S. Navy Afloat Program through the University of
Maryland.
Attended Iowa Wesleyan College upon retirement from the US Navy on the G.I. Bill.
Was Deacon in Southern Baptist Churches during Navy career, later licensed and ordained into the ministry by Southern Baptist Church.
Upon retirement was charter member of Lincoln Street Baptist Church.
Volunteer Chaplain for over 4 years at the Mt. Pleasant Men’s Correctional Facility, was hired in 1980 as a Correctional Counselor by State of Iowa.
In the 1980’s elected and served two terms as President of Henry County Ministerial Association.
Accepted call as Pastor of Oakland Mills Community in fall of 1980 while continuing employment as Correctional Counselor at MPCF.
Shortly after the death of my wife Linda after her battle with cancer for over 5 years, at the age of 59 ½ I retired from MPCF.
In 2005 I accepted the call as Interim Pastor @ Oakland Mills Community Church. Over the next two years worked with the OMCC Leadership and developed the OMCC Handbook.
In December of 2006 had the honor of conducting installation service for Pastor Daryl Jessup as the full time Pastor of OMCC.
January 28, 2007, Oakland Mills Community Church bestowed title of “Pastor Emeritus OMCC” as I retired from OMCC Pastorate.
Currently serving as Pastor Emeritus and traveling
extensively as I visit my family and friends made over the years.
Questions?
Favorite Book(s)?
The Bible has to be at the top of my list, and then being a history buff, "At Dawn We Slept," the untold story of Pearl Harbor by Gordon W. Prange.
Book currently reading?
"Slaying The Giants In Your Life" by David Jeremiah.
Favorite athletic team?
Are there any others than those from Bean Town?
Go Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics!
Favorite music artist(s)?
Gospel Quartet’s, with the Happy Goodman’s and The Hoppers at top of my list.
Person(s) you admire?
First and foremost I must say my wife, Linda. She was my best friend and help-mate for over 37 years. I know she uplifted me in prayer on a daily basis and encouraged me for all the years we were in the ministry together.
Linda not only set an example for her children, but each life she had opportunity to touch. Linda was an untiring mentor to other women, especially the younger women she had contact with.
Then as a young Christian I was mentored by two Godly Pastors over the years, Rev. Charles Hawley and Rev. L. J. Brewer. I will be forever indebted to these two Pastors who are now in God’s presence.
If you could have dinner w/ anybody (dead or alive), who would it be, and what is one question you would ask him/her?
Thomas, the disciple. I'd ask him why he refused to believe the rest of the disciples concerning Jesus death. This question is forthcoming because earlier in Jesus' ministry surrounding the story of the resurrection of Lazarus.
In John 10:31,39,40 remember there was threat of mob action when they last visited Jerusalem. After 2 day, Jesus announced that He would depart for Bethany, the disciples began to protest. Why did you (Thomas) step forward and say, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." (John 11:16).
What figure from Church history has most impacted your ministry and why?
Nee Shu-tsu (Watchman Nee). Nee, born in Foo Chow, China in 1903, saved at 17 as a high school student. History records that at the moment of his salvation, all of his previous planning became void and his future career as a bright, top of his class was entirely abandoned.
As I have read his books on Christianity, since becoming a Christian I have been encouraged by his personal commitment to the Lord Jesus and pray my life can somehow measure up to God's standards.
Favorite verse from the Bible?
Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
