Meet New Pastor and Family of Central Baptist Church

Gene Mattison and his wife Tammie are from Hopkins County, and were actually school mates in the Como-Pickton CISD. Both went on to college at UT and began careers; Tammie as a CPA and Gene as a lawyer. In 1994, they returned to Hopkins County, became members of Central Baptist Church and started a family. They have raised their three daughters there, with dedications, baptisms and even one daughters’ wedding, all at their church home, Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. And for about 15 years, Gene served as a Sunday School teacher. In time, he let it be known that he would like to be considered as Pastor if an opportunity ever came up. Well, in the Spring of 2020, that opportunity presented itself when Dr. Chris Stevens decided to retire from Central Baptist Church and make a permanent move away from Sulphur Springs. Although the congregation was saddened to see him go, it welcomed Pastor Mattison to the leadership this summer.

According to Gene, “I’m a Lay Pastor. I did not have formal training at a seminar or similar institution. But I had the desire to serve and I felt the call to pastor, so when Dr. Stephens made his retirement announcement, the Lord began to move me in that direction! And I didn’t know if the congregation would welcome a lay pastor or not! But I’m happy to have been accepted, and although I have had some final matters to wrap up from my former occupation, I am not a bi-vocational pastor. I’ve been on board full-time as Pastor since July 2020. Central Baptist is blessed with strong Youth and Children’s programs. We offer Extreme Kids on Wednesdays for the 3 year-olds through-5th graders. And Benji Edwards, our youth pastor, heads up the Youth program on Wednesday evenings”.

Gene continued, “our next events for the public are Pumpkin Patch and Treat Street. On two different dates in October, we invite the families of the community to our church for some wholesome fun. The Pumpkin Patch is Saturday October 17 from 11am-1pm out at the field behind the church. And, thanks to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department who donated the pumpkins this year! Then on October 31, Halloween night, bring the kids to Central Baptist Church for ‘Treat Street’ between 6 and 8pm. It’s a safe way to dress up, have fun and enjoy candy and games. We will also send a bible home with each child, the Word of God. Find Central Baptist Church at 840 Connally Street, across from Kids Kingdom, at the corner of League and Connally”.