On Sunday, May 24, Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church, welcomed their new pastor, Tom Studstill and his wife, Casey. Ever since, the congregation and their new pastoring family couldn't be happier. The Studstills are lifetime residents of Georgia but, as they learned, you never know where God will lead you. “I had some cousins and pastor friends in the area who told me Pine Grove was looking for a pastor,” said Pastor Tom Studstill. “We were leaving Westside Baptist Church in Adel, Ga., and were contacted by Pine Grove. I came and preached and we just hit it off with the congregation.” The Studstills have lived in Brooks County, Ga., for 36 years. However, Tom was born and raised in Lakeland, Ga., where he would become saved at First United Methodist Church on May 12, 1967. “After a Sunday School lesson, the teacher asked if anyone wanted to be saved; I raised my hand and got on the floor and prayed the sinner's prayer,” said Studstill. This year, he will have been saved 48 years and is still on fire for Jesus. Studstill was called to the ministry while attending Immanuel Baptist Church in 1981, shortly after the birth of his first son.
He would work as a supply pastor until pastoring a church of his own in 1989. Ten years ago, Studstill obtained a Master's in Pastoral Counseling and a Doctorate in Theology. Studstill anticipates great things for Pine Grove's future. “I want to see a spiritual awakening happen,” said Studstill. “It's easy for a church to get complacent and become hurt after seeing pastors come and go. I want to build their confidence so they can be strong soul winners. Since Casey and I are retired, we are able to put all of our effort into Pine Grove. We just want to gather them up and love them.” Studstill lives his life based on the scripture Isaiah 54:17: No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord’s servants, and their righteousness is from Me. “God said if He is for us, who can be against us; I believe if we wake up and put on the full armor of God, we can overcome anything,” said Studstill. “The world is looking to see how we handle things when times get tough; especially pastors. They learn about Christianity through our actions.” Studstill has been happily married to his wife, Casey, for 37 years and, together, they have two sons. The couple has an eight-year-old grandson, a two-year-old granddaughter and they are expecting their third grandchild this year.
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1. Photo Submitted. Tom and Casey Studstill were warmly welcomed by Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in May.
2. Photo Submitted. Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church is excited about their new preacher, Tom Studstill and his wife, Casey, and are proud to have them join the church family.