On October 13, the Pea Ridge Baptist Church elected Rev. Joshua A. Lathan to become its full-time pastor effective Nov. 24, 2013.

Lathan, his wife, Nicolette, and daughters, Mila and Coraleigh, come from Calvary Baptist Church in Lincolnton, N.C. where he served as associate pastor of students and education for 1-1/2 years.

Prior experience includes serving as associate pastor/youth five years at Thrift Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC.

Lathan attended Liberty University, North Greenville University and Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, as well as the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. He received his Masters of Arts in Religion and Church Ministry in June 2013 from Uberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, VA.

He states that his father (also a minister) led him to Jesus Christ when he was eight years old and was baptized shortly after he was saved in West Monroe Baptist Church.

Lathan was licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in February 2007 and was ordained in July 2011 at Thrift Baptist Church. Rev. Lathan has had extensive preparation and experience in the preaching and teaching capacity, as well as working with diverse people groups in ages youth to seniors.

Pea Ridge Baptist Church is located at 8732 East NC Highway 108, Mill Spring, NC and cordially invites all to attend Sunday School at 10 a.m., Morning Worship at 11 a.m., Evening Worship 6:30 p.m., and Wednesday service at 6:30 p.m. each week.

– article submitted by Ann Carswell