Dr Clayton (Cal) Lord Jr.
Pastor
Dr Cal Lord began his ministry at Central Baptist Church in March 2011. Before accepting the call to CBC, he served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Norwich, CT for nearly 26 years.
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He is available by appointment by calling the church office.
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He was recently named the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce's "Citizen of the Year" for his work in the community as a Chaplain for the Stonington Police Department, the Westerly and Watch Hill Fire Departments and various other community institutions as he lives out his calling to serve the Lord.
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Dr. Lord grew up in Colchester, Connecticut and graduated from UCONN with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree in Sociology and a minor in Human Development and Family Relations. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity Degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 1984 and went back to Andover Newton and received his Doctor of Ministry in 1996.
Dr Lord was called to serve the Cross Mills Baptist Church in Charlestown, Rhode Island in September 1983 and served there for two years. In 1985 he was ordained by the First Baptist Church of Lebanon, Connecticut and shortly afterwards he was called to serve as the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Norwich, Connecticut. He planned to stay for about five years but he fell in love with the people and the community and he stayed. In October of 2008 he became the longest standing pastor of that church. In his time in Norwich he served in various capacities within the American Baptist family and in the wider community.
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His resume includes service as the President of the American Baptist Churches of Connecticut. (2006-2007), Senator to the National Minister's Council and President of the Norwich Rotary Club. He is currently serving as the President of the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island.
In 2003 his "Pastoral Epistles" became a regular feature in the Norwich Bulletin. Today they are printed weekly in the Sunday edition of the Bulletin. His column also appears in the Westerly Sun on the editorial page every Saturday. In 2007 he published his second book, a collection of sermons entitled, God is Rock Solid, through CSS Publishing.
On Monday, March 7, 2011 Pastor Cal began his service with us and we hope he will enjoy a long and fruitful tenure as the pastor of the Central Baptist Church of Westerly, Rhode Island. Since his arrival in Westerly, Pastor Cal has already gotten involved and is becoming an active leader in the community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Jonnycake Center in town, a chaplain for the Stonington Police Department, the Watch Hill and Westerly Fire Departments. He is a member, and Past President of the Westerly Rotary Club, a member of the Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce, and Past President of the Clergy Association. He is also co-chair of the Community Easter Sunrise Service and the Annual First Responders Recognition Celebration.
We have enjoyed outdoor worship services, mini dramas in worship, and a renewed sense of community on Sunday mornings. We are delighted to have him serving with us. Come visit us any Sunday and meet him and you will see why.
At the present time Pastor Cal lives in Westerly. He and his wife, Lori, have been married forty plus years and have three lovely daughters, Rebecca (Erick), Sarah (Chris) and Rachel (Dillon). Last year the Lord's welcomed their first grand-daughter, Charlotte.
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Pastor Cal is the eighth pastor of the Central Baptist Church.
Dr. Alfred Murray - 1946-1950
Dr. John Elliot - 1950-1956
Rev. Frederick Gardner - 1956-1971
Dr. Lloyd Frederick - 1972-1986
Rev. Wesley Smith - 1988-1995
Rev. Peter Wood - 1996-2007
Rev. Ronald Short - 2007-2009
Dr. Cal Lord - 2011- Present
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