COURTLAND
When Andrew “Drew” Page stands at the pulpit of Courtland Baptist Church on Sunday morning, he will officially acknowledge to the congregation and himself he has accepted the Lord’s challenge.

That’s when Page will, as he put it, “step up” to help the church by serving as interim pastor for about 12 months. The congregation’s former temporary leader was called by the Navy to service in Africa.

Although perhaps better known in Western Tidewater as an attorney at Randall | Page, he’s as comfortable in a church as he is in a courtroom.

“I was in a ministry before the law. I served as an associate pastor in North Carolina,” said Page. He also quickly acknowledges having eventually left.

“I ran away from God and the church. I became more selfish and self-centered” he added.

Eventually, Page found his way back through the influence of other people. “God was pursuing me.”

Worn down, so to speak, he got involved in church once again.

“I used to lead a contemporary service at Atlantic Shores Baptist Church in Virginia Beach,” said Page. More and more he found himself getting involved with congregation, such as leading music, teaching and serving as a deacon. “I had a lot of hats.”

On coming to this area to work at the law firm, he and his supportive wife, Ann Dove Page, and their children, Ainsley and Asher, found a new church home in town.

When the Rev. Dr. Robert H. Carpenter was called away overseas, the question of who will again temporarily take the helm came up again. Though Page hoped other candidates would be chosen, he stepped up to the task when the committee approached him as its choice.

Because Page will remain full-time as an attorney, he has elected not to take a salary for his interim role.

Service to God and the church is also extending through formal education. He’s studying online at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest.

“Courtland Baptist is real people reaching out to reveal Jesus,” said Page. “We’re letting people see Jesus in us.”

The services on Sunday will be at 8:30 and then 11 a.m.

Visit www.courtlandbaptist.org to learn more about what it can offer.