August 5, 2002
19-year-old pastor leads church to grow
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___LONGVIEW--Pastor Bill Owens may be only 19, but he is a veteran minister.
___Described by one friend as "not your typical kid," Owens said he always felt God was leading him to ministry. He preached for the first time at 14 and instituted a new youth program at Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview by the time he graduated from high school.
___He provided a small youth program for children attending Emmanuel Lane Baptist Church outside Longview and felt he should be a part of the church, although he was unsure of what his role would be. He preached occasionally at the church and later was called as pastor.
___He was anxious before his first sermon to 12 people there. But since then, he has worked hard, and the church has grown to average 40 people in Sunday morning services. The congregation hired its first youth minister--who is seven years older than the pastor--and the people are excited.
___Owen's success at the church has reaffirmed his belief in God's power to work through anyone.
___"How could a 19-year-old lead a church?" he asked rhetorically. "It was God calling me. He doesn't call the qualified; he qualifies the called."
___Although Owens' age initially worried Judy Cushenberry when she visited the church, she immediately recognized age meant nothing in his case.
___"I like the way he teaches," she said. "He is wise beyond his years. I saw that right off. He has a seriousness I really like."
___Owens' said his age has opened some doors for the church in the largely unchurched community it serves. Because he and Youth Minister James Clark, 26, are young, some residents are more willing to hear them out.
___The youthful duo has brought energy and enthusiasm to the young church.
___While Owens' tenure as a pastor has been filled with joy, he quickly acknowledges there are many things he has yet to learn.
___"You can't let pride get in your way," he said. "You have to realize there are certain things you just won't know. There will be situations you don't know how to handle. You have to ask others."
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