A Message from the Pastor
Hello Stanford Presbyterian…
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What a joy and blessing it is to serve as your interim pastor until the Search Committee identifies your next minister. Though I have already met many of you face-to-face as I have shared pulpit supply with Rev. Michael Bean these last few months, I feel I should introduce myself more formally. So, I’m sharing my story below and look forward to hearing each of your stories in the days to come.
My current plan is to be in the office on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. I am also available during these hours and by appointment via text, phone, or email (see the worship bulletin for my contact information).
Speaking of worship, I look forward to sharing a new series on the Gospel of Matthew with you starting this Sunday, July 5, called “No Country for Old Men.” It’s inspired by the concept of “Frontier” – such as those boundaries both crossed and drawn by our ancestors in the faith as they brought the gospel to new peoples and new lands. Of course, it’s also a concept endemic to the American West. So, I’m borrowing my sermon titles from some great American Western films in hopes of giving us a place to hang our hats while we hear what Jesus has to say.
So, belly up to the Bible, partner, and join me for a long draught of living water and the cup of salvation in worship each Sunday. In the meantime, “Happy Trails to you,” and …
God be with you till we meet again,
Rev. Bennie Braddick
Rev. Bennie Braddick
Originally from Texas, Bennie has been preaching and teaching in central Kentucky since 2005. After a 15-year pastorate in Lexington, she explored a new call to serve immigrants and refugees by becoming certified to teach English as a Second Language (TESL). While serving a 3-year pastorate in Georgetown, Kentucky, she also taught speakers of 18 languages from 30 countries at BCTC Adult Ed in Lexington.
After her husband, Rev. David Holden, began serving at First Presbyterian Church, Somerset, Bennie began supply preaching throughout central Kentucky and recently accepted a call to serve as interim pastor at Stanford Presbyterian Church.
In their spare time, Bennie and David love taking their little dog, Diesel, on long hikes through Kentucky’s amazing landscape, as well as biking, eating local food, listening to live music, and traveling. They especially enjoy traveling to visit their adult children, Sarah and Lucas, who live in Ohio and North Carolina.
Bennie is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has a B.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University (1991), an MDIV from Brite Divinity School at TCU (2000), and a graduate certificate in TESL from the University of Kentucky (2022).
Visit
God’s love includes everyone. Whoever you are, and wherever you may be in your journey of faith, you are welcome here. Stanford has a heart for ministry to all in our community through education, fellowship, and outreach. We strive to connect children, youth, and adults of all ages with God and one another through Sunday worship of scripture, music, and devotion, as well as ministering through education, fellowship opportunities, and the charities that we support with our tithes and offerings.
We invite you to join us in worshipping our Lord and achieving our mission of pointing people to Christ and an abundant life in his love. Stanford Presbyterian Church worships each Sunday at 11:00 am at 214 E. Main Street in Stanford.
Leadership
Christ calls officers to govern and rule in the church, after the manner of Christ for the glory of God, order, and leadership in the body of Christ. The policy of the Presbyterian Church (USA) sets forth that church officers are called and elected by the people. These officers are Ministers of Word and Sacrament, Elders, and Deacons. Our church is governed by a Session (six elders and the Pastor), which is the council for the congregation. The Session shall be responsible for governing the congregation and guiding its witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world. Our deacons are responsible for overseeing the church’s buildings and property, as well as its budgetary affairs, under the authority and supervision of the Session.
Church History
The Stanford Presbyterian Church was founded in 1788, just two years after Stanford received the city charter from the Virginia Legislature. The first record of the Church is an order of the Transylvania Presbytery, which was recorded during a meeting at Paint Lick in 1790. The one-room log meeting house, built in 1792, still stands on West Main Street in Stanford, KY.
