CASTLEWOOD, Va. — At age 85, most men have been retired for 20 years. But Lester Ferguson has always done things a bit differently. For the past 66 years he has served the Lord in various ministry capacities, although his primary calling has been pastor. After most of his contemporaries had retired, Ferguson accepted the call to Brick Baptist Church in Castlewood to serve as interim pastor. That was 17 years ago.
Lester Ferguson (holding poster) celebrated his 85th birthday by giving $10 for each year. S.A. Farley Jr. celebrates with his pastor.
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On Sunday, July 25, he celebrated his 85th birthday. Following the tradition of the church, during the early portion of the worship service, Ferguson stepped to the platform to give his birthday offering. Again, Ferguson did things his own way by contributing $10 for each year. He presented to the church a poster on which were spelled his initials — LLF — in $100 and $50 bills.
Ferguson, known for his sense of humor, obviously enjoyed himself as he teased about making another donation when he turns 90. Friends from churches he had served and family members joined the Brick Baptist family for the special service, which was televised in the area by ARC Television.
Guest speaker for the occasion was Jim White, editor of the Religious Herald, who chose Joshua 14:6-12 as his text, with verse 10 being focal. As an 85-year-old, a still-faithful Caleb remembered and claimed the promises of the Lord.
A dinner and reception in the fellowship hall followed the service.
During his lengthy ministry, Ferguson served several Virginia churches as pastor, including Young’s Chapel Baptist Church (adjacent to the campus of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson), First Baptist Church in Gate City and Ridgewood Baptist Church in Roanoke. In addition, he was pastor to English Road Baptist Church in High Point, N.C. He concluded his pre-retirement ministry as director of missions for the New Lebanon Baptist Association, a position he held for nine years. He has authored pamphlets, booklets and a book of sermons entitled Messages of Hope.
Ferguson’s zest for life is contagious, which may account for the number of young families that call Brick Church home. The congregation is a joyous mix of types. A farmer may sit beside a pharmacist in worship, each affirming the other. The service is formal enough to have order, but flexible enough to allow a preschooler to sing a solo on Sunday morning.
Brick Baptist Church is so named because a new meetinghouse shared by Baptists and Methodists was constructed in 1873 of bricks handmade on the site. One of the few brick churches in the area, it soon acquired the name by default. The location is said by some to have been chosen by Daniel Boone, whose son lies buried nearby.