First Baptist Paducah Calls Dr. Brian J. Arnold as New Senior Pastor
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
After congregational affirmation on Sunday, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Brian J. Arnold has accepted the call to be senior pastor of First Baptist Church Paducah.
“My family and I are thrilled to return to Western Kentucky” Arnold said. “I’ve always had a burden for pastoral ministry and for the people of Paducah in particular. Over the last few years, I’ve been burdened with the need churches have for strong leaders to do the work of teaching the Word, discipling the saints, and evangelizing the lost. After serving for eight years in a training ground for church leaders, I’m excited to get back into the trenches of pastoral ministry and serve the saints in Paducah week in and week out.”
Search committee member Becky Finley stated, “Brian loves God’s Word, loves God’s people, and loves the lost. His vision for First Baptist is outstanding, and I know he will be a great shepherd for this flock.”
Dr. Brian J. Arnold is a graduate of both Eastern Kentucky University (B.A.) in Richmond and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Th.M., Ph.D.) in Louisville. He worked as an emergency medical services technician before being called into ministry. After graduating from seminary, Dr. Arnold pastored Smithland First Baptist Church in Smithland, Kentucky. Then he moved to Phoenix Seminary in Arizona in 2015 to serve as assistant professor of theology, later as academic dean, and beginning in 2019, as president.
Arnold has been married to his wife, Lauren, for 16 years. They have two children: Jameson and Natalie.
“As a partner in ministry, working with Dr. Arnold has been wonderful. He is cheerful and optimistic.” said Michael J. Thigpen, professor of Old Testament at Phoenix Seminary. “He engages opportunities and difficulties alike with prayer, a collaborative spirit, and wisdom. One of the most striking things about working with Brian is his passion for the local church, and I know it’s that passion that has led him back into the pastorate.”
“Brian’s desire to love on his flock, lead them gently, and pursue worship with excellence made our decision to call him clear,” said First Baptist search committee chair Scott Heavrin. “In my lifetime worshiping and serving at FBC Paducah, I’ve never been more excited for her future.”
“My family and I are thrilled to return to Western Kentucky” Arnold said. “I’ve always had a burden for pastoral ministry and for the people of Paducah in particular. Over the last few years, I’ve been burdened with the need churches have for strong leaders to do the work of teaching the Word, discipling the saints, and evangelizing the lost. After serving for eight years in a training ground for church leaders, I’m excited to get back into the trenches of pastoral ministry and serve the saints in Paducah week in and week out.”
Search committee member Becky Finley stated, “Brian loves God’s Word, loves God’s people, and loves the lost. His vision for First Baptist is outstanding, and I know he will be a great shepherd for this flock.”
Dr. Brian J. Arnold is a graduate of both Eastern Kentucky University (B.A.) in Richmond and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Th.M., Ph.D.) in Louisville. He worked as an emergency medical services technician before being called into ministry. After graduating from seminary, Dr. Arnold pastored Smithland First Baptist Church in Smithland, Kentucky. Then he moved to Phoenix Seminary in Arizona in 2015 to serve as assistant professor of theology, later as academic dean, and beginning in 2019, as president.
Arnold has been married to his wife, Lauren, for 16 years. They have two children: Jameson and Natalie.
“As a partner in ministry, working with Dr. Arnold has been wonderful. He is cheerful and optimistic.” said Michael J. Thigpen, professor of Old Testament at Phoenix Seminary. “He engages opportunities and difficulties alike with prayer, a collaborative spirit, and wisdom. One of the most striking things about working with Brian is his passion for the local church, and I know it’s that passion that has led him back into the pastorate.”
“Brian’s desire to love on his flock, lead them gently, and pursue worship with excellence made our decision to call him clear,” said First Baptist search committee chair Scott Heavrin. “In my lifetime worshiping and serving at FBC Paducah, I’ve never been more excited for her future.”
