Phillip Latta, pastor of First Baptist Church, Hemingway, was honored Feb. 4 for 25 years of service to missions in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.
Phillip Latta receives a gift of appreciation for 25 years of missions service in the Appalachian region of West Virginia. Making the presentation is Jean Rabon, SCBC.Jean Rabon, South Carolina Baptist Convention’s partnership coordinator for the Appalachian Region Ministry – which includes states from Pennsylvania to Georgia – presented Latta a congratulatory letter from the SCBC thanking him for his outstanding service. She also gave him a framed picture of a young woman who had accepted Christ during one of Latta’s youth mission trips. It showed her being baptized in a river by Latta.
“Rev. Latta, thank you for all the time and energy you have invested taking mission teams into West Virginia over the past 25 years,” said Rabon. “You will only know what you have truly accomplished for the kingdom of God in Appalachia when you go to heaven.”
“We are so thankful that Rev. Latta came to First Baptist Church with the experience and leadership for organizing extended mission efforts in the Appalachian Region,” said church member Vonnie Smith. “We at First Baptist have been blessed by our involvement with the people in this region.”
Latta came to Hemingway six years ago, and at that time, the church had not been involved in youth mission trips. With his encouragement, however, they have since gone to Appalachia on five trips and a sixth trip is set for June 24.
A native of Hillsborough, N.C., Latta attended Columbia International University and New Orleans Baptist Seminary. He has been in the ministry for 33 years. He and his wife Paulette have two children and three grandchildren.
Information provided by Mildred Browder-Hughes, correspondent, The Weekly Observer.