“Draft”
Article for October, 2010 newsletter
SENIOR MOMENTS by Grandpa Dick
Larry Dotson-Layman to Pastor
Part Two: Life at California Baptist University
Larry Dotson was born on Christmas Day, 1945. In November of 1980, at First Southern Baptist church, he surrendered to the call to the ministry. He left a comfortable job at PG&E, sold his home, and moved to Riverside, California in January, 1981, to begin ministerial studies there. This is Part Two of the story.
The Deacons at First Southern Baptist were busy assisting Larry, Barbara and the kids; Brian, and LeAnn in packing for the trip to Riverside. Many arrangements were made. Larry’s application to CBU was accepted, and he used some of the proceeds from the sale of his home to pay tuition. An apartment on campus became available, and although designed for a married couple with no children, we felt God’s hand guiding Larry’s family to live there. We knew it would somehow be adequate. Deacon’s offered pickup trucks and trailers, and Larry’s old station wagon was loaded to the roof, and like Okies coming to California, we set out for Riverside.
When we got there, I remember walking into the campus apartment. It was much, much smaller than we had imagined. I looked around and thought- my my, what a sacrifice they are making. LeAnn was eight years old at the time. There was an empty hall closet. It seemed to be larger than the normal closet, so we took the doors off, and Wallah, we had a bedroom for LeAnn. The cooperative spirit was overwhelming. I remember how we felt God’s presence as Larry started out on his CBU courses.
Larry wanted to preach, and did not want to wait until all this school stuff was finished. A small Church in Adelanto needed a student Pastor, and Larry jumped at the chance. They liked what they heard and Larry ministered to that congregation, driving back and forth from Adelanto to Riverside, from June, 1981, until he graduated from CBU in May 1982, with a Bachelors Degree in Religion.
But schooling was not complete. Larry still needed a higher degree, so he applied to Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco, was accepted, and moved there in September, 1982. Times were tough. Housing was expensive, as was the cost of living in Northern California. The savings from the Pico house sale were dwindling, but Larry was still trusting God to get him through.
Next: Part Three: Life in Northern California
Grandpa Dick
