Our Shepherds

In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, the apostle Paul outlines well for us the qualifications required of our elders (overseers, shepherds).

Our elders have overall responsibility for oversight and direction of this congregation of our Lord's church. They are to seek, in all matters, the mind of Christ (who is the Head of the Church) through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. They must be able to teach and exhort the church in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict the truth. Elders are to lead by example and will provide instruction for the maintenance of healthy relationships within the church. They will appoint deacons or ministers as is necessary to accomplish the mission of the church. When new elders are needed from time to time, men are nominated by the congregation and are then approved by the Elders and the membership.

2009 Elder of the Month

January...........Mike Hughes

February..........Mike Penrod

March...............Tim Ashberry

April..................Danny Rye

May...................Jim Akins

June..................Mike Hughes

July...................Mike Penrod

August..............Tim Ashberry

September........Danny Rye

October.............Jim Akins

November.........Mike Hughes

December.........Mike Penrod

Jim Akins

Date of Birth: June 11th, Mt. Sterling, Illinois

Wife: Janet (Robinson)

Children: Jeff (& wife, Mandy)  & Julie

Occupation: Attorney in private practice

Year I came to Somers Avenue:

Year I became an Elder:

Ministries I am closely involved with: Benevolence, Outreach, Missions

My fondest experience so far as an Elder:

My personal dreams and goals for Somers Avenue:

Myself in a few words:

Tim Ashberry

Date of Birth: January 30th, Champaign, Illinois

Wife: Faye (Gatewood)

Children: Sean (& wife Tressa), Shannon (& husband Jeff Galyan)

Grandchildren: Jackson, Callie, & Cooper Ashberry; Ty & Tanner Galyan

Occupation: Laboratory Director, Baptist Medical Center, Little Rock

Year I came to Somers Avenue: I came to 6th & Maple in the sixth grade and have been with this congregation through its move to Somers Avenue in the early eighties.

Year I became an Elder: I've served as a deacon and as an elder over the years with many faithful Christian men and am proud to have begun serving again in 2004 with our current faithful elders and deacons.

Ministries I am closely involved with: Evangelism, Family & Seniors, Gospel Meetings, Administration, Fellowships

My fondest experiences so far as an Elder: 1) Seeing the results of many years of hard work and sacrifice that my wife Faye and I put into our family come to fruition through my children growing up and maturing in the Lord and developing their own faithful Christian families. 2) Seeing members of this congregation who we've had in our home as children grow into faithful Christian parents who themselves have brought up faithful Christian children. 3) Seeing the multitude of Christians here who were adults when I was a child, continue to maintain their faithful Christian example throughout the many years of their life and serve as an encouragement to all of us. 4) Seeing my son accept the postition as Minister of Involvement and Outreach.

My personal dreams and goals for Somers Avenue: 1) That we will be able to continue to strengthen our church families and feed them on God's Word as they will be the future of the church. 2) That we will be able to find more and more ways to teach and encourage every member to be more courageous in carrying God's Word to our community and ultimately the world. 3) That Somers Avenue will always be an example to others in following God's Word and planting His seed and will be known for teaching the Truth in love.

Myself in a few words: Two of my favorite scriptures are:

Concerning my wife, Faye: "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me." Ruth 1:16-17

Concerning my family and my life: "And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Mike Penrod

Date of Birth: October 28th, Conway, Arkansas

Wife: Jan (Fieldor)

Children: Jimmy, Jonathan, Brittany, Farah

Occupation: Director, CedarCrestone (Computer Consulting Firm)

Year I came to Somers Avenue: 1983

Year I became an Elder: 2000

Ministries I am closely involved with: Evangelism, Administration, Treasury, Youth

My fondest experience so far as an Elder: Being able to know more of all the wonderful things different people at Somers do to help others. A lot of things are done behind the scenes but have made a big impact on those being helped. Our folks give not only their money and goods for things like helping kids in Kenya be able to attend school and have a chance to better their lives and providing a new vehicle for our missionary in Brazil but their time such as making multiple trips to help people who have been devastated by a tornado. It is really heartwarming to see the response of those we have a chance to help.

My personal dreams and goals for Somers Avenue: To see our Christian family grow even stronger spiritually and look for and take advantage of opportunities to show the love of the Lord. With God's help this will allow us to become more and more effective in reaching out to people and helping them with whatever earthly need they have which will lead to ways to help them see the spiritual needs they have.

Myself in a few words: One of my favorite scriptures is Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." It helps remind me that as long as I'm on God's side He's always there, bigger than any problem, and good things will happen from even what seem to be the worst situations.

Mike Hughes

Date of Birth: February 23, Richland, Washington

Wife: Mary (Cooper) Hughes

Children: Jason and Amanda

Occupation: I am an RN.  I work at Arkansas Children's Hospital in the I.T. department as a computer systems analyst.

Year I came to Somers Avenue: I came as part of the merger with the 6th & Maple and Park Hill congregations.  When the new building was opened in February 1982, I was sitting on the premises.

Year I became an Elder: 2007

Ministries I am closely involved with: Our men's prayer group (Sons of Shamgar), Care Groups, and advertising. 

My fondest experiences so far as an Elder: The trip to Brazil with my wife Mary, to represent Somers during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the congregation in Sao Jose dos Campos. 

My personal dreams and goals for Somers Avenue: To see a vibrant, growing, and loving congregation of the Lord's church, thriving and expanding though out the city and beyond. 

Myself in a few words: I like to think of myself as a "people" person.  I love to be around other folks, sharing a story or a laugh, or providing a shoulder to lean on during times of sorrow or need.  Like the apostle Paul, I have a need to be with people and express my love of Christ.