Like any good shepherd, Ken Sharp has spent most of his life tending to his flock.
He’s cared for them, guided them down the right path and helped keep the wolves away.
But now it’s time for the shepherd to tend to himself as Sharp retires as senior pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church, located at 985 N. Lapeer Road right on the Oxford/Orion border.
Sharp held his farewell service Sunday.
‘I did not want to leave them,? he said. ‘I wanted to remain as their pastor for three or four more years. But I need to take care of my health right now.?
The 66-year-old had open heart surgery in February 2005 and has since developed some complications.
As a result, he and his wife of 48 years, Gale, are retiring to their new home in Mt. Morris to be closer to their children and grandchildren, and help Sharp regain his health.
Saying goodbye has been difficult for Sharp, who helped found New Beginnings Baptist in 1997 with just 10 members. He considers the church his ‘baby? and its congregation his family.
‘It’s not an easy thing to leave them,? he said. ‘We have too many good friends. We love these people. We’re fortunate they love us.?
‘Being with these folks means being a part of their family,? Sharp explained. ‘We hurt when they hurt. We laugh when they laugh.?
‘I can’t imagine not being here. I just can’t imagine not being their pastor.?
An ordained minister for 32 years, Sharp is quite ‘proud? of the ‘families we’ve been able to reach? at New Beginnings Baptist.
‘I think we’ve made an impact in some people’s and families? lives,? he said. ‘We’ve been able to change their direction and salvage them for Christ in many ways.?
Since its inception, Sharp said New Beginnings Baptist has been devoted to teaching people, especially young people, to ‘live their Christianity seven days a week, not just on Sunday.?
‘I want them to know Christ and to live Christ, not just talk about Christ,? he said. ‘A lot of people say their Christians, but you can’t recognize it by the lives they live.?
Sharp himself is an example of someone living Christianity. He left a 15-year career at General Motors and took a big reduction in pay to serve God on a full-time basis.
Spending 19 years as associate pastor of First Baptist of Flushing and four years as senior pastor of Hillcrest Baptist in Auburn Hills, Sharp saw ‘a great opportunity to plant a church? in the Oxford/Orion area and seized it.
Today, New Beginnings Baptist is about 70 members strong and the church recently purchased and remodeled its building after years of renting it.
‘I’m real proud of what we’ve accomplished here,? Sharp said. ‘It’s certainly a beautiful place to come and worship God.?
A modest man, Sharp said the church is going to miss his wife Gale more than him. ‘She is a tremendous help in this church,? he said. ‘It will be easy for the church to replace me, but they’re going to have a hard time replacing her. She does so many things behind the scenes.?
Outside the church, Sharp has been involved in the community through the Oxford/Orion Kiwanis Club, of which he’s been a charter member since 1999, Orion/Oxford Optimist Club and Orion/Oxford Ministers Association.
‘I like community work,? he said. ‘In the time I’ve been a minister, I’ve always been involved in a civic club somewhere. It forces you to get involved in the community.?
Local service groups also gave Sharp the opportunity to ‘get acquainted with people I probably never would have met otherwise.?
Kiwanis honored Sharp Jan. 31 by presenting him with the ‘President’s Appreciation Award? for ‘outstanding and devoted service? to the club.
‘He’s worked on just about every project we’ve had,? said Tony Lasher, president of the Oxford-Orion Kiwanis. ‘He’s one of the few charter members left. He’s been exceptional. He always comes to meetings. He’s at every fund-raiser, every community service project. He’s always been there to help out.?
Lasher noted Sharp has also been ‘instrumental? in personally counseling many club members who have endured some ‘tough times in their life.?
‘He’s just outstanding, one of our best members,? Lasher said.
Although he was grateful and appreciative of the Kiwanis award, Sharp remained humble and thankful regarding his involvement in the club. ‘I’ve received more out of the club than they’ve gotten from me.?
Enjoy your retirement Pastor Sharp, you’ve earned it.