TEBA CHURCH AND PASTOR SPOTLIGHT: Jim Newton at Riverside Baptist Church
In this month’s Church and Pastor spotlight, we spoke with Jim Newton, pastor of Riverside Baptist Church in Riverside, TX, where he has pastored for 29 years. Jim received his education from Hiles Anderson College in Indiana and completed his studies at Liberty University. Having been married for 54 years, he has three grown children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Jim is the author of a new book, Through the Storm, which he will discuss at the TEBA’s next Leadership Connection meeting on Monday, August 11, at 6:30 pm.
Tell us about your current ministry context.
Jim: I spent a number of years deep-diving into the world of church growth, learning different methodologies and tools, etc. After a humbling season of God taking me to the woodshed, we don’t do anything now without God starting it. I’ve empowered our people to run with what God has planted in their hearts to do, which is how we start new ministries within the church. I literally have the sweetest church around. We have three outreach events annually: a tent revival God started 22 years ago involving 12 other local churches, an Eggstravaganza Easter-egg hunt, and VBS. Additionally, we operate the Crisis Closet, serving food for 50-60 families each month. Our community largely works for TDC and/or is retired. Interestingly, we also pick up weekenders from Houston who come up here and will eventually retire here.
What is God teaching you in this season?
Jim: Over the past 25 years, God has been teaching me ‘let me do it.’ I’m in a place now where I can really sit back and enjoy seeing God do what he does. People are loving each other and doing the work, which allows me to prepare messages, do counseling, etc. I can enjoy this now, whereas earlier in my ministry, numerous things would pull me in different directions. Whenever I start to work on something now (like the baptistry, for example), I’ll have deacons jump in and quickly take care of the issue. So, I guess I’m enjoying the fruits of watching things being done God’s way and not as a result of my best-laid plans. Longevity of ministry allows this. It’s a sweet season!
What advice would you offer to other pastors or new church planters?
Jim: 1) Love your people. So many pastors get bogged down with being managers, they can forget God has granted them a particular personality & calling that perfectly matches what their congregation needs. Don’t get distracted thinking that you need to be like so & so – God called you to be you; 2) Feed your people. Teach them the Word; 3) Don’t get caught up in numbers and the church-building business. Be humble and stay available for your people. And keep your heart right – stay in the Word daily yourself.
How can the churches of the TEBA be praying for you?
Jim: God’s hand of protection. My biggest fear is that something would slip in and try to destroy what God has done. To keep that sweet spirit. And for God to continue to send the human resources necessary for where God wants to take us in ministry.
