Manito Southern Baptist Church Welcomes New Pastor

About the new pastor: My name is Steve Higgs, often called Brother Steve, I was born on a farm in Southwest Missouri in the Ozarks. I was raised up in a nice Christian home, was saved at the age of 10 in a revival meeting at Ridgley, Missouri. I was called to preach when I was 16 yrs. old but would not surrender to the call. I played a Jonah for over 20 years. I was a heavy drinker and was out of God's will for a long time. I surrendered my life to God on Nov. 4th 1991. God took my addiction and changed my life completely. I started pastoring a little country church (Solid Rock Southern Baptist Church, Exeter, Mo.) in June of 1992. I watched God grow that little church from a congregation of 10 to well over 100 on Sunday mornings when I resigned that church in June of 2011. I enjoyed 19 wonderful years there.

I love horses and mules. I was on a trail ride in Camden Tenn. in October of 2010, where I met Deb Eatmon ( yes, I am a divorcee, and was divorced at the time) Deb lived and still does at Delavan, Illinois. We became friends and was married in June of 2011. I had unexpected trouble selling my place in Missouri so did not move up here till March 3rd of 2012. I wondered why God sent me here till I came to Manito and then I knew. I believe God had a plan all along to use me to help him grow this little church. I fell in love with Manito. It is full of nice friendly folks and I hope to be a blessing to this community.

Manito Baptist is and will be Baptist. We are not here to change any of the beliefs or practices of Bro. Lockerby or the church, will build up on that foundation that has been laid. I was born and raised Southern Baptist and preach the same message Baptist preached 50 yrs ago in about the same style. I don't like dead singing, dead preaching, or dead pews :) I think if you come to Manito Baptist you will see a church that is alive. We will do our dead level best to make you feel welcome.

I am also a pretty fair country auctioneer. I graduated from Fort Smith Auction School in 1986 and ran Higgs Auction Service till 2006. I don't plan to have an auction service here but I am licensed in Illinois and would be glad to help with benefit auctions or help out in auctions for other auctioneers. I work for Wal-Mart in Morton also.

Amy, Deb and I are here to help not only the church but the community. We are anxious to get to meet folks and help out anyway we can.