Local pastor to retire after 32 years of service to church

Guthrie resident Larry Stevens, pastor of Noble Avenue Baptist Church, will retire at the end of the year following 36 years of ministry.

Stevens made the announcement to the church deacons earlier this month and later to the congregation.

“This is not a decision made easily,” Stevens said. “It is a decision I have come to with sadness, celebration and anticipation.”

Stevens came to pastor at NABC in February 1981 after serving four years in Ardmore as an associate pastor.

Stevens, a proud University of Oklahoma graduate, is not sure what God has in store for him and his wife, Bobbye, come retirement time, but he does know he is looking forward to the following months left at NABC.

“My hope and prayer is that we can use these days to prepare ourselves for what God has in store for us in the next leg of our journey. I plan on continuing to do what God has allowed and empowered me to do,” Stevens explained.

Stevens talked about how he will miss unlocking the church to work on sermons and bible studies, visiting people in hospitals and nursing homes, and simple stuff such as moving tables and chairs and collecting the mail.

Perhaps, the avid New York Yankees fan had his tongue in his cheek about moving tables and charis and collecting the mail. Although, many claim he does both very well.

Regardless, Stevens has made great impacts on many lives that go beyond the city limits and is just part of what he will miss.

“I have tried to be faithful to the Lord so to make this transaction brings me sadness,” Stevens said.