Hired at 17 and Saved on the Job, Kentucky Baptist Secretary Marks 50 Years
Debbie Padgett started with the Ohio River Baptist Association as a high school senior who did not attend church. The 35-church association honored her Oct. 19.
See where this is ›SALEM, Ky. —
The Ohio River Baptist Association in Salem, Ky., honored ministry assistant Debbie Padgett on Oct. 19 for 50 years of service, at its annual meeting at Mexico Baptist Church, Kentucky Today reported.
See where this is ›Padgett began in 1976 at age 17, a senior at Crittenden County High School placed through a co-op class because the association needed a secretary. She was not a Christian then and did not attend church. “Working here, God had a plan,” she said. “Through the years, I got saved and started attending (Marion Baptist).”
She first worked in an upstairs room at Marion Baptist Church, where she later became a member and still worships. The association bought property in Salem in 1982 and moved its office there. Padgett, who also handles office management and the finances, works part-time, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Five full-time associational mission strategists and one interim have served alongside her, including John East and Rodney Cude. Mark Gill, the current strategist since 2023, has been with the association for 32 years. “We are so blessed to have her,” Gill said, adding, “we couldn't do without her.”
Ron Crow, director of Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief, presented Padgett a certificate of appreciation from the Kentucky Baptist Convention. French Harmon, president of the Kentucky Baptist Foundation, spoke at the meeting. Padgett will continue in her role. “I love serving people,” she said.
