The Goodroe Years

1984 – 1991

Dr. D. H. Goodroe
1984 – 1991

In slightly less than nine months after his arrival, on May 12, 1984, David Goodroe received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC. David was a young pastor, dedicated to the ministry of winning souls and serving the people in a loving and caring way.

In recognition of his long and faithful service and for his continued devotion to the work of the Lord, Rev. A. L. McGee was named "Pastor Emeritus" of Calvary Baptist Church in October, 1984.

Under Dr. Goodroe's leadership, Calvary Church continued to place a strong emphasis on evangelism and missions. The program Continuing Witnessing Training (CWT) was an important part of training soul winners. A mission tour was promoted each summer as our young people and adults spent time in remote areas, principally West Virginia, carrying the gospel in music, drama, teaching, and preaching. Camp grounds and beach ministry were also a part of the mission program for reaching people. The Outreach Program of our Sunday School extended to Solomon Towers, a housing project composed mostly of senior adults, and to other areas where the Bible could be taught.

Calvary Baptist Church, under Dr. David Goodroe's leadership since August 14, 1983, continued to grow in numbers and in its outreach. Pastor Goodroe brought a youthful vitality to the church along with the ability to minister to all age groups. He began an organized personal visitation program with the homebound members, and a special rapport with Calvary's seniors.

To minister alongside Dr. Goodroe, Rev. Vance Midgett was called as associate pastor and minister of youth on September 9, 1987. Rev. C. L. King, who had served at Sunset Park Baptist church, was called as minister of music, January 1, 1988. Rev. Dwight Lindley who had served as youth and music minister resigned in 1987.

In 1990, the church came into the computer age with the installation and networking of two computers at the approximate cost of $16,000.00–one for finances and the other for secretarial work. It was quite a transition from mimeograph, ordinary typewriting, handwritten memberships and financial records.

During this time, the church was again studying the possibility of renovating the old sanctuary in the educational building to provide much-needed Sunday school classrooms and a chapel. In addition, the church voted, July 1991, to renovate and expand the kitchen at a cost of $39,536.00. The men of the church did the painting, shelving, and electrical work.

Ordained into the Gospel ministry during Dr. Goodroe's pastorate were Steve Fennell, February 5, 1984; Vance Midgett, October 19, 1986; Fitzhugh "Toddy" Fennell, July 11, 1990, following a request from Gospel Center Baptist Church who had asked Toddy to come as pastor. Kathryn Larkins was recommended to study at Southern Seminary, Louisville, KY, and Rebecca Jones was recommended to Southeastern Seminary, July 18, 1991. A letter recommending Ken Cascell was sent to Southeastern Seminary, August 15, 1990.

In February of 1991, Dr. Goodroe, being led by the Holy Spirit, resigned as pastor of Calvary to accept a call to a sister church in Newport News, Virginia.

During this interim period, the church, under the leadership of its current staff, continued to grow and to do well. Those who carried on the work while the church searched for a pastor were Rev. C. L. King, minister of music; Rev. Vance Midgett, minister of youth, and Katherine Godwin, education and minister to senior adults.