Newton First Baptist Church will be honoring Randy Cuchens this Sunday for his 35 years of service to the church and community.
The celebration comes about three weeks after the anniversary of his first Sunday as music and youth minister on Feb. 24, 1985. After serving for 18 years in that role and then 17 years as the music and senior adult minister, Cuchens looks back and reflected on how the church has impacted his life.
“When Susan and I came Newton, we always thought God would call us back to Florida, but this is where God wanted us to be,” Cuchens said. “We decided to put down roots. Both of our daughters graduated from Newton High School. I know we are ministers, and we have an impact on others. But I know that everyone who we have ministered to have also made a huge impact on us. We have been blessed.”
On Sunday morning, the church will have a special service led by Dr. Jim Futral, retiring executive director of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. The choir will be directed by Slater Murphy, director of music for the state convention.
Dr. Frank Harmon, former pastor of First Baptist Church and pastor when Cuchens moved to Newton, will also deliver remarks and thoughts about Cuchens.
Cuchens will also be joined by his daughters, Jennifer Wooten and Jessica Jefcoat, and the choir for a special musical tribute during the service.
That afternoon, the church will also host a come-and-go reception from 2 to 4 p.m. for Cuchens to celebrate his milestone anniversary.
If Cuchens could use one song to describe to his life and ministry, it would be “My Tribute” from Andrae Crouch.
“How could I say thanks for the things You have done for me?” Cuchens said quoting the song.
His favorite verse is, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
To read more about Cuchens, see this year’s profile edition on March 25.
