Keith Bryant, Director Of Missions, Central Baptist Association
By Tim Boyd
Keith Bryant grew up in the panhandle of Texas where he surrendered to preach at the age of twelve. He worked as a summer youth worker in his home church during his college years. He attended Wayland Baptist University and after graduation was hired to work as Director of Student Ministries. He did that for two years and then went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
After seminary Bryant went to work for a secular company and worked bi-vocationally in the ministry in western Texas. His company eventually transferred him to Liberal, Kansas. There, he became involved in First Southern Baptist Church as an interim education minister. After two years he was transferred again to Houston, Texas, where he had an opportunity to work in a larger Southern Baptist church as chairman of the evangelism team.
After six years in Houston, First Southern Baptist Church in Liberal called Bryant to be their senior pastor. Bryant’s time at Liberal along with his earlier experience prepared him for associational work. According to Bryant, “It had to be a work of God. I didn’t pursue being a DOM [Director of Missions]. . . I didn’t particularly see myself as a DOM until I had had some training. . . . After I saw the new design for the association, I really had a clear view of what an association could be and do. That confirmed in my mind that being a DOM was something that I was gifted to do.”
“I love the job, although I miss the local church in some ways. . . . I like the challenges of this work. . . . Denominational work has been a real pleasure and treat. . . . I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention and the fellowship we have. Texas was so big that we didn’t have the kind of closeness down there that we have here,” Bryant shared. “It is so refreshing to have this kind of fellowship and to really know folks.”
Bryant feels that his various experiences have prepared him well for his current position. He has experienced small churches and very large churches. He has pastored in a full-time position. He has also worked in bi-vocational ministry. “I have been very fortunate to experience the small church . . . and that was a great experience. I know what it is like to be in a small church in a small place. I have also been part of a seven-thousand-member church.”
In coming to Central Baptist Association, Bryant has seen the joy of a new church plant at Logan, Kansas. He has also been able to observe the development of the venue at Sterling, Kansas, that is part of the work of Westbrook Baptist Church in Hutchinson, Kansas. “I have gone there a couple of times. . . . They already run consistently between 150 and 200. That is a huge blessing to be a part of that.”
Bryant has also seen some tremendous challenges as he has assumed the position of Director of Missions. The greatest was the ministry that came out of the Greensburg tornado disaster. “Greensburg was a real difficult situation for me emotionally, physically. It was a challenge that stretched my giftedness. I didn’t really know what I was doing. We just reacted to the situation.” However, this challenge has produced a great blessing as the association ministers in the town.
There are other challenges as well. “We still have some small towns where we struggle to have a presence. We have lost one church since I have been here, and we have another church that is struggling. We just struggle with some of the smallness and trying to have an impact.”
As he looks to the future, Bryant is praying for a work in Wakeeny. There is already a person who is interested in working in the area.
There has already been some success with the associational block party trailer, and Bryant is looking forward to the potential of that tool. In the first two opportunities to use the trailer 200 people showed up in Great Bend on one evening and 150 people showed up the next night in Russell. On the third night the trailer went to Logan where 170-180 people from a town of 600 showed up for the block party. “I am just thankful that KNCSB was able to join in with us on that.”
Pray for Keith Bryant as he continues to serve as the Director of Missions in Central Baptist Association. Pray for him as he continues to prayer walk the towns of his association. Pray for him as he continues to challenge his association to engage in church planting.