New pastor lands at historic First Baptist in LaGrange

The Rev. Cade Farris sees several religious themes in the "Star Wars" films, but that it is not why he loves them.

It has more to do with lightsabers, droids and Ewoks.

"I grew up with the 'Star Wars' movies. I collected all of the action figures," said the 38-year-old pastor, who has a Darth Vader candy dispenser in his office at the First Baptist Church on the Square in LaGrange, Ga.

Farris said while the Force -- an energy force around us -- has more in common with an Eastern view of religion, some Christians might view Luke Skywalker as a savior figure.

The temptation of sin plays a big part in the series, but so does redemption, as Darth Vader turns from the bad to the good.

Farris said "Revenge of the Sith" and "The Empire Strikes Back" are his favorite films in the series. He is looking forward to the upcoming film, "Star Wars: Episode VII -- The Force Awakens," which will be released in December.

For right now, he is working as hard as a Jedi knight to get his office in shape and to become acquainted with the LaGrange community.

On June 1, Farris began his journey as senior pastor at the historic church. He replaces the Rev. Paul R. Baxter, who led the congregation for 32 years.

"It is a big door opening for me," Farris said of landing his new position.

He said he is determined not to fill the shoes of Baxter, something he said can't be done.

"I have to be who God made me to be," Farris said. "I just have to be myself."

Farris previously served as senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Wedowee in Wedowee, Ala.

Until July 30, he had a 45-minute commute to LaGrange from that small town in Randolph County.

Farris, who spent about four years in Wedowee, said the town has about 900 people. His new church might see 800 in Sunday attendance.

The Rev. Steve Scoggins, a pastor under whom Farris worked at First Baptist Church of Opelika in Opelika, Ala., suggested to Baxter that Farris be considered as his replacement.

A search committee took a little less than a year to make its decision.

"The committee was thorough," Farris said. "It wanted to make sure the person chosen was the right fit."

He said he is working to learn the names of the many congregants.

"I like to know my people," he said.

The church has a television ministry with people in several counties getting to view the Sunday service.

"I have had people come to me and say they don't attend my church but they have heard my message," he said. "I have got to be mindful of what I say, not too much off the cuff."

First Baptist was founded in 1828. Farris said it has long played an important role in the community.

"People look to this church for leadership," he said.

Among its local outreach projects, the church operates a dental clinic for the needy and a Meals on Wheels program. The church also supports missions in places abroad such as Honduras and Haiti.

On Wednesday nights, students from LaGrange College can get a free meal.

Not only is he a big fan of "Star Wars" but also of Alabama football. A ball autographed by Nick Saban is in his office.

A graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Farris has been married for 16 years to Jennifer. They have three children, Lauren, 11, Carson, 9, and Andrew, 2.

The two met while students at the University of North Alabama. They sang together in an ensemble at Baptist Campus Ministry.

Farris was a music major and will occasionally break into song during a sermon.

"I have people ask when I am going to sing again," he said.

Farris felt the calling to be pastor as a college freshman. At the time, he was studying biology and planning to be a doctor.

He grew up in Russelville, Ala., one of one five boys, three of whom are ministers.

His father is a contractor who built his son's Wedowee home. His mother was a stay-at-home mom.

Farris described them as "very good Christian people."

"If the church door was open, we were there. They set a good foundation for me and I am glad I didn't have a choice about going to church," he said.

Farris said a big problem today is parents are not making their children go to church.

"Church is not the priority it once was, and that makes what I do more challenging. We don't give our children an option about going to school," he said.

Farris said he wants to be a leader in the church and the community.

"My family is glad to be here," he said. "We just want to be a blessing to Troup County."

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 11:47 PM with the headline "New pastor lands at historic First Baptist in LaGrange ."