It is with fond memories of the past, praise for the present, and anticipation for the future that the First Baptist Church of Wayland announces the retirement of their long-time pastor, Dan Deatrick. The church celebrated Pastor Deatrick’s 35th anniversary of ministry at Wayland in early August by hosting a Missions Conference.
Born in Neeper and raised in the Kahoka area, Pastor Deatrick was called to preach in his youth and began preaching regularly at the age of sixteen. After Bible College, he planted a church in St. Louis, which he pastored for eleven years. After a couple of years as an assistant to a pastor in Michigan, Brother Deatrick accepted the call of the First Baptist Church of Wayland.
First Baptist Church was founded on April 19, 1899, when a council composed of representatives from Kahoka Baptist, Fox River Baptist, and Rutledge Baptist met at Fox River Baptist Church for the purpose of organizing an independent Baptist Church at Wayland. Pastor Deatrick began in 1988 and has led in the growth of the church body as well as the building of and re-location to a new “sheep shed.” Pastor has emphasized the five functions of the New Testament Church: doctrine, fellowship, worship, service, and evangelism. He has studied and labored to love people, encourage strong families, and provide an environment of peace, doctrinal depth, and concern for the souls of people.
On December 3, 2023, the church voted to call their assistant of nearly twenty years, Daniel Fox, to be the new pastor. December 31st will be a special day for the church: the morning service (10:00 AM) will be dedicated to the installment of Pastor Fox; the evening service (6:00 PM) will be a “retirement service,” remembering the ministry of Pastor Deatrick. The public is joyfully invited to join us for these special services.
