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By Crystal Reith Andrew Forshee has joined the Lake Sarah Baptist Church as the associate pastor of Next-Gen ministry. Bringing more than a decade of youth ministry experience to the congregation, Forshee’s primary focus is student ministry, where he provides guidance and support to children, including curriculum selection and program development.
Prior to coming to Lake Sarah Baptist, Forshee served as a part-time youth pastor in Sedalia, Missouri, and preached in several rural churches across southern Missouri. Through his connection with Lake Sarah Baptist senior pastor Kory Tedrick, Forshee learned of the NextGen pastor opening and was drawn to the church’s interest in both youth ministry and biblical counseling.
“The main reason I came to Lake Sarah Baptist Church was because of what they were looking for,” said Forshee. “Experience in youth ministry, as well as being open to wanting to provide biblical counseling for the greater Murray County area, which is my goal.”
Forshee visited the rural Slayton church in August, preached on September 15 and officially began his duties on November 2. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Ministry from Spurgeon College and a master’s degree in biblical counseling from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, both in Kansas City, Missouri. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational ministry with a focus on biblical counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
Forshee first got into ministry because he wanted to help kids through crucial times in their life. “ I want to help kids see Christ during those years,” said Forshee, who noted that his favorite part of ministry is seeing the light bulb click and they understand God’s word. “When you see that they’re able to connect the truth of scripture with what they’re dealing with and seeing peace and joy is really cool.”
Reflecting on his years in ministry, Forshee said patience and understanding have been key lessons.
“I’ve learned how to love people and to be patient with people,” he said. “I’ve learned to help them grow in their understanding because there is a tendency to be impatient. Fundamentally, we are all broken and we all need help.”
While serving approximately 125 families at Lake Sarah Baptist, Forshee’s goals include building spiritual discipline, reaching Murray County with the gospel of Jesus Christ and establishing a biblical counseling ministry.
“We live in a time where life has hardships and the Bible has answers for those hardships,” said Forshee. “Answers are found in Christ and the hope we have in Christ on this side of heaven and for eternity.”
As he begins his ministry in Slayton, Forshee hopes to learn the needs of the community and encourages everyone to find a church that is grounded in Scripture.
“At the end of the day, that’s our final authority,” said Forshee.
Forshee and his wife, Katie, will celebrate 10 years of marriage this year. The couple has five children, Judah, Jeziah, Justice, Joy, and Jozlyn.
