His heart is filled with music - Mark Presswood’s original goal was to be a veterinarian, but in his second year at Louisiana State University (LSU) God presented him with a different plan. He says it was a good move for him in a number of ways; music was like breathing for him, so it helped his grades and his stress level. It was during these early years at LSU that he met the love of his life, Deanie Sowell.
Mark and Deanie were married in their senior year at LSU. They lived and worked on campus as they finished their degrees. Mark earned a voice degree in sacred music. He continued his studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
It was during his Jr. and Sr. years at LSU that Presswood had his first professional experience as the part-time Music Minister at Plank Road Baptist Church. He later worked part-time at Forest Park in Fort Worth. His first full-time position was as Minister of Music and Youth at First Baptist Church in Jonesville, Louisiana. “I loved working with youth, but my upbringing makes me a rules oriented person. I became frustrated when the kids pushed the limits,” he said.
Mark and Deanie Presswood brought their family to Farmstead Baptist in June 2001. The children are Allyson, 19, a freshman at LSU, (on full scholarship with a double major in math and music), John, 15, a student at Sumiton Christian School, and Rebekah, 8, who is home-schooled.
Based on their 25-year marriage and parenting experiences, Mark and Deanie work together to teach parenting classes based on the book “Growing Kids God’s Way.” They advocate “first time obedience” both to parents and to God. “Our position is that God is not obligated to call a person twice. He often does, but we do not have that assurance. That makes it imperative for us to respond immediately to every call of God,” Presswood said.
With a choir numbering 15 percent of the attending members, Presswood said that he feels particularly blessed. Most churches, he says, are doing well to have 10 percent of their Sunday School attendance in the music program.
“These people work hard and they love to sing. They want to be here and they want to participate. Even our congregation sings well. I would put our church’s musical talent up against churches twice our size,” he said.
Presswood said he can envision a choir of 100 adult members. Presently, the youth choir is taught by Donna Martin, and the children are under the direction of Connie Brown. His wife, Deanie, leads the preschool choir. He provides support and resources for both programs but feels that his time is best utilized with the adult choir and in the area of Education and Administration. He welcomes new voices with or without prior experience. His focus is on praising God in song.
Sonny Bennett
Children's Minister
Profile and Photo Coming Soon!
Blake Prater
Students and Recreation Minister
As a young man God was molding me in preparation for ministry. Today's student ministry is known, in most part, for big events, loud music and theme-centered Bible studies that are quick hitting but not root making. When I was growing up, student ministry consisted of visiting shut-ins and doing VBS at an RV Park in South Carolina. My student ministry experience has helped to mold me into a more family-oriented student minister.
At a young age, God drew me to his Son where I repented of my sins and responded to his invitation of salvation. God began, even then, to prepare me for the capacity to which I serve today in Student and Recreational Ministry at Farmstead Baptist.
In thinking of where I serve, it is truly a place God has prepared for me at this point in my service for Him. I love to compete in basketball, frisbee golf or any other sport for that matter and I love to disciple, hangout and worship with students. The energy and enthusiasm that God has placed in students creates an environment primed for service and worship. We have a strong core of students in the Lift Student Ministry of Farmstead Baptist.
I am married to my beautiful wife, Julie, of 11 years who God brought to me through her Father being called as my pastor in the mid-90's. I have two awesome children, Brogan (8) and Taryn (6), whom both attend and excel and Lupton School. They are a gift that God requires of me to train and admonish until I give them back to Him. Praise the Lord, my son has responded in obedience to Salvation already.
I am a graduate of Ayers State Technical College (today known as Gadsden State Community College) with an Associate's Degree in Architectural Drafting and an Associate's Degree in General Studies. Currently, I am pursuing a Bachelor's Degree from Leavell College, the undergraduate school of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, at the extension center at the Church at Brook Hills in Brimingham, Alabama. I desire to complete my education with a Master's Degree in Theology.
God is at work and we must join Him. I know God can accomplish much through this student ministry and I believe through the discipling, encouraging and serving of students that this will take place. What is that "much"? It is young people receiving salvation, growing in their faith and walk with Jesus and then those that have been changed becoming change agents for Jesus.
We lift Christ because He lifted us. Romans 5:8.
