BROKEN ARROW – Fifty years ago, Pastor Nick Garland began his formal ministry. Thirty-three years ago, he became pastor of First Baptist Church in Broken Arrow.

Now, Garland is retiring.

Last Saturday and Sunday, members of his congregation and friends honored Garland for his decades of service to the Lord at FBCBA.

On Saturday, hundreds of congregation members and well-wishers stood in line to shake his hand and visit with his wife Jenine at a reception at the church.

“You have been the hands of Jesus,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a video that was shown Saturday. U.S. Sen. James Lankford congratulated Garland in a video Sunday morning. Lankford is the former director of Fall Creek, a Southern Baptist Camp. U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern also sent congratulations.

The City of Broken Arrow has renamed a street “Nick Garland Circle.”

On Sunday morning, officials from Oklahoma Baptist University gave Garland and honorary doctorate degree of divinity.  Jimmy Draper, retired president of Lifeway Christian Resources, and Dr. Anthony Jordan, retired executive director/treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, were guest speakers at the overflow service Sunday morning. They called Garland a great preacher and a friend.

Garland has been preparing the congregation for his departure for a few years.

“I hope to be here through Christmas,” Garland said Sunday.

A search committee is close to recommending his successor.

In a recent note to the congregation, Garland wrote, “Ask God to use you as a welcoming member, encourager, prayer partner, and zealous helper to the new pastor.

“…Realize that God led him here. God called him to be His servant. God gifted him for the work. God will direct him in what needs to be addressed. So, lift him up daily to the Lord in thanksgiving, intercession, petitions and in compassion. A shepherd loves the sheep, but he also needs to know that the sheep love the shepherd.”

Garland and his family plan to stay in Broken Arrow but they will not attend First Baptist Church so that the new pastor will have a clear path. His only plans are to write a book, mentor and do limited chaplain work. He will be available to the new pastor at his request.

Born in Fort Worth,  Garland picked up his distinctive southern accent while growing up in Humbolt, Tennessee. He got a degree in English from Florence State University in Alabama and then a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Now he has an honorary doctorate.

His first church was First Baptist Church in Anderson, Alabama. He later became youth director at First Baptist Church in Edgewood, Texas. Garland moved on to become pastor at First Baptist Church in DeQueen, Arkansas. His last stop before reaching Broken Arrow as at Second Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

A church consultant in Alabama said, “Nick Garland is the Bear Bryant of Oklahoma Baptists.”

His list of accomplishments is too lengthy to mention. Here are some highlights.

• Garland led the campaign to erase $1.7 million debt (the church has been debt free ever since).
• He led the purchase of 142 acres and construction of the present 1,750-seat worship center, a 50,000-square-foot education building, a 10,000-square-foot student center, an office building and a gym/fellowship center.
• While in Broken Arrow, Garland has been a popular speaker/evangelist at pastors’ conferences and has served on various boards with the Southern Baptist Convention.
• Garland has led evangelistic revivals – about four a year – in Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Alaska, Missouri, Louisiana, Virginia, Florida, and Georgia.
• In 2004, he marshalled the efforts of 25 churches in the Tulsa area for a rally concerning Biblical principles of marriage.
• Under his leadership, First Baptist participates in Celebrate Recovery (2013), the Real Church Conference, Christian Home Education Fellowship and women’s conferences.
• Twice First Baptist hosted Freedom Live – a July 4th celebration that was the largest outdoor Christian event in Oklahoma history.
• Garland led the church in the development of a nonprofit corporation bring a retirement center to the church’s campus in Broken Arrow. That became the Baptist Retirement Village in 2005.
• Garland led mission trips to Israel, China, Russia, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mexico, Romania, Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador, Vancouver, Montreal, Nevada, Alaska and Hawaii.  FBCBA has started eight churches in America and seven churches overseas.
• Garland has hosted nine tours to Israel since 1982.
• Under Garland, the church has started six churches in foreign nations partnered with a church in Romania. First Baptist helped re-establish two churches in Broken Arrow and gave financial assistance to Gracemont Church (now the Church at Battle Creek).
• He started Korean and Vietnamese missions in Broken Arrow.
• Garland helped the church get involved in disaster relief by purchasing three disaster trailers and sign up more than 170 volunteers.
• Garland started a hunger relief program at the Camino Villa in Broken Arrow in 2012 and a similar program in Coweta in 2016. (Community Baptist Church in Coweta is part of First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow).
• And he has ordained 19 pastors to ministry in 33 years.

Garland is a preacher who is devoted to the study and teaching of the Bible.  He has not shied away from issues that might go against the culture as he pointed out Biblical principles.

Garland on Sunday told his congregation what to expect should he precede them to Heaven.

“As you come through the gate, look for me on the right side,” he said with a smile. “I am never to the left of anything.”