According to Kelton Hinton with the Johnston Baptist Association, it is very rare for a minister to pastor at the same church for 30 years. It is so rare in fact, that there are only three or four in Johnston County who have done just that.
One of those is Rev. Billie E. Lawson, Jr., who is the pastor at Wilson’s Mills Baptist Church, located between Smithfield and Clayton.
Billie and his family, which back in 1987, consisted of his wife Lorraine and a son, Benjamin, came to Johnston County from Laurens, South Carolina. They had another son, Will, just a few years later.
Pastor Lawson and his family were honored Sunday during a service at Wilson’s Mills Baptist.
Rev. Lawson was recognized with a proclamation from Philip Wright, Mayor of Wilson’s Mills, along with a recognition from the Community & Senior Services of Johnson County, the American Red Cross, and Kelton Hinton with the Johnston Baptist Association.
Several area pastors were in attendance with remarks including Bishop Terence Jenkins of Interstate Ministries, Apostle-Elect Pastor Addie Rawls of New Generation Christian Church, and Pastor Don Dewberry of Sardis Baptist Church.
A reception followed the service with church members, family, and friends.
