Monticello Live

Several years ago, the church I was attending had a visiting preacher, who preached like he knew exactly what all was going on in my life at that time.

That preacher was Bro. Larry Wilkerson.  Bro. Larry is now pastor of Ladelle Baptist Church, a “country church” that averages around 75-80 people attending on Sunday mornings.  One of Bro. Larry’s friends was at lunch with us, and described the church as “country people and potluck meals, that make you feel at home.”

Most Monticello drivers have seen Bro. Larry’s Wilkerson Refrigeration work truck around town for years.  He doesn’t work on heating and air conditioning, but on commercial units (like meat coolers, ice machines, and walk-in coolers.)  He’s been in the refrigeration field since 1975, and started out working for Newman Fixture Co.  He began working for himself in 1992.  He says the winter time is slow, but God always seems to keep him busy.

He started preaching around 1980, by preaching for revivals, filling in for pastors, and for churches who were without pastors.

Bro. Larry started as “interim pastor” at Ladelle Baptist around 3 years ago.  A year later later, he and the church believed that God wanted him to continue as their pastor.

“One thing that makes him different,” commented a nearby fellow, “is that he preaches from in front of the pulpit, not from behind it.  He out there with us.”

His friend then added, “Another thing that makes him special is that he preaches without notes.  He uses his Bible for scriptures, then he just preaches.”

Bro. Larry told me, “When I surrendered to preach God’s word, I asked Him to give me good health.  I’m not saying I’ve never felt bad, but I’ve never missed a chance to preach, because I was sick.”

He added, “And I asked for the gift of being able to preach without using notes,” and then said, “And I’ve always been able to do that, now that’s a gift from God.”

Next May, he will be celebrating his 35th wedding anniversary with Mrs. Sherry.  She works for a mental health center in Mountain Home, in their administration involving computers, records, and regulations.  He said to tell everyone that Mrs. Sherry shot a “really nice 8 point,” yesterday.

Throughout our visit, Bro. Larry kept mentioning how good God is.  When he would say something about work, he would give God the credit.  When he talked about his church, he said, “God is so good to us.”

Bro. Larry hobbies include hunting, fishing, “And skinning his wife’s deer.” said someone.

His favorite TV shows are “the Andy Griffith show”, and the Discovery Channel, “as long as they don’t argue with God’s Word”.

He is a history buff, especially World War II history, and is an Indianapolis Colts fan, and a Razorback fan, “Every week, not just every other week.”

Larry and Sherry have 2 dogs, a chocolate lab and lovable Max.  Max will sit in a chair next to you, and is as sweet as he can be. Max also loves to go fishing with the grandkids.

Larry usually spends his days off with Mrs. Sherry and their grandkids, Cole (age 12) and Layne (age 11).  Cole has gotten 3 deer this year.

Bro. Larry told me if he could give anyone any advice, it would be, “Believe in the Lord, with all of your heart and soul.”  “No one realizes just what “the fullness of God” is, when they first accept him.  But as we grow in him, over the years, we begin to see that he is truly faithful, loving, and will do everything that the Bible tells us that God will do.”

Well, it’s easy to see why he keeps preaching God’s Word.  It’s the way keeps experiencing the “fullness of God.”

Thanks, Larry Wilkerson, for sharing your One Monticello Life. 

Click Here to view other One Monticello Life editions.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 25th, 2007 at 4:00 pm and is filed under Church, Feature: OML. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.