By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
TROUT, La. (LBM) – For the last 20 years, Pastor R.V. Couch has devoted his life to sharing how Christ can set men free, especially inside prisons.
“It’s been such a joy,” said Couch, interim pastor at Dunbarton Baptist Church, Ferriday, and a 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bi-vocational and Retired Pastor of the Year award winner. “I never thought that I would ever do this as a child. I have enjoyed it thoroughly and everywhere I have gone there is a purpose that God has equipped me to do.”
CALLED AMID DARKNESS
A lifelong resident of Jena, Couch was working as a repairman in 1990 when his wife, Malcolm, was undergoing treatment for cancer. While she was having surgery, Mickey Hudnall, then pastor of Summerville Baptist Church, Olla, and now associational missions strategist for Ouachita Baptist Association, paid a visit to the hospital and prayed with the couple. At that moment, Couch’s eyes were open to the Gospel, and soon afterward, he accepted Christ.
A year later, Couch felt a call to ministry during a revival service with Aimoch Baptist, Olla.
Then he began accompanying Hudnall to Raymond Laborde Correctional Center, Cottonport, to minister to prisoners.
At first, he rarely shared a Gospel message with the inmates. However, with time he grew bolder and became a visible and vocal witness for Christ within the prison to prisoners and guards, alike.
Since then, Couch has shared Jesus at seven other prisons.
He also has served as pastor with four congregations: Kidron Baptist Church, Harrisonburg (1998-2015) and Calvary Heights Baptist Church, Jena (2015-2018). Since August, Couch has been the interim pastor with Dunbarton Baptist, where he has seen worship attendance increase from 20 when he arrived to 30 in late September.
Hudnall attested to Couch’s steadfast commitment to area churches.
“From the day he accepted Christ, every faction of his life has changed,” Hudnall said. “R.V. is a man with many talents but best of all is a great friend to many people.”
Couch said he does not know who much longer he will serve at Dunbarton or minister in prisons. But he said he will serve Christ faithfully wherever the Lord may lead.
“God calls us, equips us and commissions us,” Couch said. “The only way out of being commissioned is through death and I’m hoping that the Lord has more years left for me. I’m excited the Lord has used me and allows me to continue in His work.”
