First Baptist Church celebrates
The First Baptist Church of Salem held a celebration earlier this month in honor of their minister, Dr. Steve Gorman, who has been leading the church for 15 years.
Gorman’s journey at First Baptist Church began with him and his family being a part of the congregation. He also served on the deacon board.
While working on his master’s degree in Divinity, he was given the opportunity to be the music leader at Mitchell First Baptist. During the time that he was serving in Mitchell, Jack Mahuron called to ask if he would consider being the youth leader at First Christian Church.
“I did that for a couple of years,” he said. When the pastor position came open at his home church, he was offered that position. “This is what He was preparing me for,” Gorman said.
He feels that those other positions helped him understand all the different facets that it takes to lead a church. Gorman said, “I told them in the interview, ‘you know what you’re getting.’”
Getting the chance to work with Kent Short, secretary and accompanist for the church, has been wonderful. “I have known him since I was 15 years old,” Gorman said. “We have a great connection.”
Working with Cheryl Backherms, the music director for the church, is just a blessing, Gorman said, and seeing the children’s ministry grow under the direction of Josh and Kayla Seybold has been amazing. He has known Kayla since birth and she was his son’s best friend when they were growing up.
“It’s truly a family,” Gorman said.
When things go awry, he said, they sit down like a family and talk it out. “As long as the focus stays on God, everything works,” he said.
When Gorman first started as the minister, he also worked 50 hours a week in the retail sector. “I was blessed to be able to move into the position full-time,” he said.
“It has truly been wonderful.”
He does admit that those 15 years have gone quickly. On an nationwide average, most ministers stay at one church for two to three years. Gorman said, “I am truly blessed.”
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