“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (I Tim. 5:17 NIV).
Karen and I first became acquainted with Terry Kimbrow and his wife, Tricia when they moved to Memphis as newlyweds. They joined Sky Lake Baptist Church and were such blessing to us. Terry was a young, but efficient assistant manager at Safeway.
A couple years later, when our church extended an arm to the new Cedarwood Baptist Mission in the city, Terry and Tricia were among those who helped begin the new church plant. As they had been at Sky Lake, they were blessings to Cedarwood.
Terry Kimbrow
Born in Kennett, Mo., the youngest of four boys, Terry grew up in Poplar Bluff. As a 16-year-old, he met a young lady at church who stole his heart. Right after graduation from high school, the couple married. Because he was working and dedicated to providing for the two of them, Terry chose not to go to college.
Influenced by a Mentor
Upon moving to eastern Arkansas, Terry and Tricia united with First Baptist Church of Caldwell. There, the pastor, who is now known as Dr. Martin Jameson, became a most influential mentor. It was during their time at Caldwell that Terry felt the call to preach the gospel.
Later, his pastor drove him to Conway and introduced the 29-year-old to Central Baptist College. As the saying goes: “And the rest is history!”
God’s Plan, Not Terry’s
The astute student thought he would one day be pastor of a large congregation. He did, indeed, serve several churches as assistant pastor, including Antioch Baptist in Conway, where he and Tricia continue to worship.
It is evident that the Holy Spirit gave Terry the gift of leadership. In 1993, the alumnus of CBC became the college’s vice-president for institutional development. The Lord had been preparing him all along. His business experience, coupled with his ministerial gifts, made a plain path that Terry has followed for 30 years.
President of CBC
Terry received his Master’s degree from Arkansas Tech University, qualifying him for his next endeavor of service to the Lord and the churches of the BMA of Arkansas. In 2004, Terry Kimbrow became president of CBC, and the college has flourished under his superb leadership — despite some very difficult times.
When President Kimbrow became president, CBC’s enrollment was 241 students. Today, it exceeds 900, with many degrees available to students who come from all around the world. The college also has an amazing athletic program that has won national championships in various sports. This is while the college continues to be a school with Christian ideals. Students truly gain a faith-based education at CBC. One of the most impressive things to note is that President Kimbrow is much loved by the students.
A Blessed Man Blessing Many
Terry and Tricia Kimbrow have been greatly blessed with their family. They are the parents of three (all CBC graduates), and the very proud grandparents of nine.
The dedicated servant of the Lord from the bootheel of Missouri, has touched the lives of thousands through his ministry at Central Baptist College. He is certainly a difference maker in so many ways. I am honored to call him my friend and fellow servant of Jesus Christ.
Terry Kimbrow, president of CBC, is most assuredly a minister worthy of double honor.
