“Draft”
Article for November, 2010 newsletter
SENIOR MOMENTS by Grandpa Dick
Larry Dotson-Layman to Pastor
Part Three: Life in Northern California
Larry Dotson was born on Christmas Day, 1945. In November of 1980, he surrendered to the call to the ministry. He left a comfortable job at PG&E, sold his home, and moved to Riverside to attend California Baptist University in January, 1981, He finished his degree there in 1982, and enrolled at Golden Gate Seminary. This is Part Three of the story.
Larry and his family were maturing as they grew in God’s work and studies. But Northern California living was very different from Riverside and even Bakersfield. The kids were growing (now 11 and 14). Housing costs were high, and the cost of living was soaring. Larry found meager housing and began his studies at Golden Gate. His savings from the sale of the Pico house were almost gone. Prayers and gifts from friends at First Southern (now Columbus Street) and others helped to sustain them.
But God is good, Barbara secured work at Security Pacific Bank and also for Marin Florist when they lived on campus in Mill Valley. Larry preached at the First Southern Baptist Church of Folsom that was looking for a Pastor, and he was called there in May, 1983. The commute was tough, but God helped Larry to do what needed to be done to persevere. They moved to Folsum a short time later, and Barbara found work at Bank of America, a local florist, and for a short time she was the church secretary..
We had the joy of visiting Larry while they lived in Folsom. We experienced the love his congregation had for him during a Sunday church service, and to our delight, he was becoming a dynamic speaker and a true man of God, growing in the word as he put into practice what he was learning in school, and sharing what God had put on his heart..
In May of 1986 Larry graduated from Golden Gate with a Masters in Divinity/Theology. After graduation, Larry and Barbara continued to serve at Folsom full time until April of 1987. God answered many prayers by guiding Panama Baptist Church in Bakersfield to ask Larry to come and preach in view of a call as Pastor. In May of 1987, God led him to accept, and the family was on there way home to Bakersfield.
Next: Part Four: Homecoming to Panama Baptist Church in Bakersfield. (now Daybreak Baptist Church)
Grandpa Dick
