Doing his duty: The Rev. John E. Rhodes serves his church and his community

The Rev. John E. Rhodes loves that his church, New Bethel Baptist Church, interacts with the community. Rhodes is pretty active in the community himself, considering he didn't even live in Missouri before becoming New Bethel's senior pastor. When he's not behind the pulpit, he serves as the chaplain for the Fruitland Fire Protection District and is a medical first responder and firefighter.

How long have you been involved with a church? I was raised in church.

How long have you been a member of your faith? Lifetime.

What drew you to serve the church in a leadership role? God's calling upon my life to preach the gospel.

What education/background/studies did you go through to become a pastor? I have been to Bible college, but my calling came from God. Bible college only assisted me in my preparation.

How many years have you served as a pastor? Since 1996. I pastored in Tennessee before coming to Missouri.

Where are you from and when/why did you move to Cape Girardeau? I am from northwest Tennessee, from the Union City area. We moved to Missouri when I accepted the pastorate at New Bethel.

What do you think makes this church special? Without a doubt, the people. New Bethel is a country church located four miles east of Pocahontas off County Road 532, and is a loving church family who loves the Lord and stands firm on the word of God. New Bethel has been blessed with members who minister to one another and reach out to others. Our church supports the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention, which reaches out to lost people around the world. I have found New Bethel to be a unique congregation, and I am blessed to be their pastor. We run around 100 in worship, and for our area that is great.

What's your favorite verse and why? Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." I believe God has a purpose for all our lives, we just need to seek him. People miss out on good because they are not seeking God.

What program have you done with New Bethel Baptist Church that you are proud of and why? There are, and have been, many things that New Bethel does or has done that I am proud of. One thing, our church adopts between 125 and 150 children each year for Christmas through the Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis, Ill. Each child gets a blanket, clothes, toys, etc.

Mrs. June Sides has led us to this great ministry, and she does a great job leading us. Right now we are hosting a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class. This class is a great blessing to those who attend. We also have our children's church ministry which reaches out to the children, we have a church library that averages about 30 checkouts per week, our van ministry ministers to senior adults and those who need transportation to church, and of course Sunday school for all ages.

For the past nine years we have worked with seven other local Baptist churches in doing nursing home ministry at the Monticello House in Jackson. There is no way I could list everything. I am proud of all New Bethel does.

What events or occasions does your church have coming up? Today we have our Children's Carnival right after church in our church picnic area. Our senior adults will have a picnic Monday in the church picnic area. We are having an outdoor old-fashioned service May 23. We will host our children's Summer Reading Club in June, Camp at Peaceful Valley Camp (a camp of the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association) in July, and vacation Bible school in August. New Bethel is a busy and active church. We also have our regular services, Sunday school at 9 a.m., Sunday worship at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., and Wednesday night Bible Study at 7 p.m.

What's your favorite day of the week and why? Sunday -- I love Sunday because I love being with God's people. I love watching God move in hearts, and of course I love the opportunity to share the Word of God.

What's your favorite part of being a pastor? Seeing people saved, and ministering to people and helping meet their needs. I love to watch God work in people's lives.

What hobbies do you have? I enjoy bowling, playing the piano and bass guitar, and mowing and tilling with my John Deere tractor.

What else do you do besides serve as pastor? God has opened the door for me to serve as the Chaplain for the Fruitland Fire Protection District. I also serve as a medical first responder and firefighter. I lead the pastoral ministries of the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association, have served as regional coordinator for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief in Southeast Missouri, and I occasionally help the Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management Agency in times of disaster. I have served on the Cape County EMAC (Emergency Management Action Committee) Committee for several years now.

Do you have a prayer, psalm or verse you would like to give our readers for the day? Psalm 67 1-7, "God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us. Selah 2 That Your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 4 Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth. Selah 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 6 Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him."