By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – When Brandon Penton was pastor of First Baptist Church, Archibald, and accompanied his students to Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in 2021, he did not imagine that one day he would become director of the camp.
“We just built a relationship with the camp and, when the job came up, I applied,” Penton told the Baptist Message. “I love the opportunity just to serve individuals and in the hopes of serving them, to strike up spiritual conversations that allow them to respond to the Gospel. It’s important to meet people where they are and create an avenue for spiritual conversations.”
Penton, who was named the camp director in early February, has served as recreation and activities director of the camp since 2022. In that role, Penton supervised recreation programs, recruitment of summer staff and marketing.
A native of Pearl River, Penton accepted Christ as His Lord and Savior at age 16 during a “See You At The Pole” rally in his hometown. A year later, he surrendered to a call to vocational ministry.
Penton, who holds degrees from Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said he and his wife, Brandi, originally intended to enter the foreign mission field. But God had other plans, he said.
After graduating from LC in 2009, Penton served with Life Point Community Church in Marksville and Cottonport as part-time children’s pastor for two years, and then as associate pastor (and North American Mission Board church planter apprentice) from 2010-2011. He later served as interim pastor of Esler Baptist Church, Pineville (2011); associate pastor of youth and young adults with Calvary Baptist Church, Slidell (2011-2016); associate pastor of families and missions with First Baptist Church, Amite (2016-2018); and pastor of First Baptist Church, Archibald (2018-2022).
Looking to the future, Penton said he is excited about the upcoming summer camp season, which sold out several of its kid’s camp and mission camp sessions in the first week of camp registration and is nearing capacity for several other camps. He added that a new swimming pool and splash pad should open in time for the first week of camp.
“I would love for Tall Timbers to be the premier camp in the state, and not only expand our facilities but the style of camps we offer as well,” he said. “I would love to see the day when we are able to offer a family camp, a service-driven mission camp and even a camp offered to children in the foster care system.
“We are just trying to catch our breath and keep going,” he continued. “Momentum is like a wave. You have got to move on it and ride it. We’re hoping to be able to put ourselves in the best position to be able to respond to that momentum and keep riding it all the way to where Christ wants.”
