Johnnie Godwin (1965-1970)

Johnnie Charles Godwin was born in Midland, Texas, on February 2, 1937. Now living in Gallatin, Tennessee,

Bro. Godwin served for a number of years with the Sunday School Board as an editor and later as Director of the Holman Division. He is the author of Layman's Bible Book Commentary: Mark.

On December 8, 1965, Roy Hanson was accepted as Student Pastor-in-Training. $75 was donated to the Hewitt Volunteer Fire Department for fire plugs in February, 1966. "Faith in Action" goals for 1966-71 were adopted by the Church. These were subject to annual evaluation and adjustment. Joel Gregory became Student Pastor-in-Training in February, 1967. That position was assumed in November by Wayne Blackshear, who had been recognized in September, 1966, as going into full-time vocational Christian service.

A Building and Planning Committee was appointed in May, 1967. The parsonage was air conditioned in November. Wayne Williams and Howard Downey were ordained as Deacons on March 3, 1968.

In October of that year a milestone was reached: the debt on the Sanctuary was paid in full. Tommy Foster served as Student Pastor-in-Training beginning in January, 1969. In February, plans were begun to build a new Educational Building. The Church applied for a $60,000 loan in March to finance this construction and renovate the Sanctuary. In July, 1969, the sale of the lot next to the parsonage was finalized. This transaction with the Hewitt Volunteer Fire Department had been pending since May, 1967. The Educational Building, constructed by H.L. Herring, was completed in October, 1969, with approximately 5,000 square feet of floor space. Included in this one-story building were a pastor's study, church office, restroom facilities, kitchen, two nurseries and classrooms. Many memorials were given in honor of loved ones in the church families during this time of construction.

The details about these contributions are recorded in our Church minutes. In September, 1969, Joy Maddux was elected church pianist. On November 2, 1969, Hewitt Baptist Church celebrated its 75th anniversary and dedicated the new Educational Building. Dr. J.W. Ousley, former pastor, was the anniversary speaker at the morning service. Owen Kersh, Waco Baptist Association Superintendent of Missions, delivered the main address at the dedication ceremonies at 1:00 P.M. Others participating in this program were Johnnie Godwin, Pastor; Charlie Maddux, Building Committee chairman; and former pastors, Rev. M.E. Williamson and Dr. Ousley. Open house was held from 2-3 P.M. Later in November, the Church voted to construct a brick-walled covered walkway between the Sanctuary and the Educational Building. A piano for the Sanctuary was purchased with gifts contributed in memory of Frank Long. Wiley Raborn served as Student Pastor-in-Training during the spring term of 1970.