Our Pastor
Huddleston Family
Pastor: Randy Huddleston
Cass and I are delighted to serve our great God with the people at GBC. We have been married over forty years and have three grown children Rachel, Daniel, and Katelyn, and five grand-children.
Thoughts
These words from Paul reflect my story. Before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus. Walking with the Lord is a delight and joy for me and to help others find their way and become what God has designed them to be is fantastic.
I have the privilege of presenting the wonders of God in many ways through the ministry and mission of Grace Bible Church. There are opportunities for getting close to God, learning about him, experiencing his presence, and improving communication with him.
Since God is supernatural and spiritual, the emphasis in ministry is supernatural and spiritual. There are spiritual dimensions to be explored and we set aside time for retreats to do exactly that.
“If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.” -C.S. Lewis
Spiritual Training and Experience
Spiritual questions and battles became significant my last year of high school. I wondered about the purpose of life and if this existence was all there was. Because of some occult activity by my sister I was confronted with a new kind of unexplained phenomenon when a demonic presence plagued my life. At college, I met knowledgeable and committed Christians who were part of parachurch organizations, the Baptist Student Union, The Navigators, and Campus Crusade for Christ. They helped me learn how to study the Bible, have a devotional life, pray, and share Christ with others. The following year I was in the Army and stationed in Germany where I continued to be involved in ministry with The Navigators and with the Army chapel. I separated from the Army and returned to Germany to learn more and serve with the ministry, returning to the U.S. to serve in The Navigators college ministry at Oklahoma State University and continue my education. With my B.A. in Philosophy completed I began study at Dallas Theological Seminary. Transferring to Denver Seminary where I completed my Master of Divinity. During seminary I was Assistant Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Brighton, Colorado where I was nurtured in local church ministry and allowed to expand and disciple youth and adults. I continued church ministry in California as Youth Pastor at First Baptist in Palmdale, then later I was in a pastoral training program with Pastor Charles Swindoll at First Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton. Moving back to Oklahoma, Cass and I began Grace Evangelical Free Church in Claremore. We, then, moved to Grace Bible Church in Pryor where we are now.
That is a history like a resume which provides some context but it is in the hardships, lack of finances, late night prayers, hopes and disappointments where God shows up. From place to place, move to move, he was there. He answered prayer in remarkable ways and kept us close and cared for us when everything appeared dark and hopeless. Learning to lean on him was crucial. Learning to hear from him has been marvelous. What he has led us to learn and experience is like pulling back the spiritual curtain to heavenly realm. There is even more discovery in the Scriptures, more to see of him in everyday life, more revealed daily.
You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 NLT