Pastor Rodney Taylor was a devout atheist before becoming a dedicated Christian.
For the last 43 years, he has served Scott Depot Christ Fellowship in Teays Valley in various roles. Taylor, who has been senior pastor since 1995, is now preparing to retire.
A "Farewell Celebratory Service and Reception" will be at 10 a.m. Sunday at the church on Teays Valley Road in honor of him and his wife, Marlene, who has served alongside him in ministry. The event is open to the public.
"Leaving is bittersweet," he said. "But this is a new page, a new chapter in God's adventures."
Taylor, who grew up in Teays Valley, was raised in the church but had lots of questions about faith and the existence of God. He attended Marshall University, where he majored in physics and math while becoming involved in "radical politics."
"I switched my major to philosophy and sociology," he said. "Before I finished my degree, God reached over my rebellion and touched me with his grace. I was introduced to a writer, Francis Schaeffer, who got me over intellectual barriers. A young man who had been a street fighter told me how God had transformed his life and invited me to meet a group of people who had a genuine love and joy I could not explain."
He wanted to feel that joy and prayed fervently to know what is real.
"I discovered there was a God," said Taylor, 65. "I was saved at 21."
He began volunteering at the Scott Depot church and served in various roles until he became senior pastor 20 years ago.
He has had a lifelong passion for learning. He holds undergraduate and master's degrees from Marshall University and a doctorate of education administration from West Virginia University. He has a library of about 7,000 books.
Formerly the Scott Depot Church of God, the Scott Depot Christ Fellowship broadened its affiliations in the late 1970s to become a non-denominational evangelical congregation. During Taylor's leadership as assistant pastor, the church expanded its ministries to create Teays Valley Child Development Center and Teays Valley Christian School. Under his tenure as senior pastor, the church became known as "The Depot" and underwent an extensive facility and campus expansion.
He has mixed feelings about retirement.
"I have been with these people all these years and have love for them," he said. "I've been here 43 years. There is a need for a fresh view, a fresh inspiration."
Since last October, the church has searched for a new pastor who would be the right fit. Out of 134 applications, the congregation selected the Rev. Jason Epps, 36, who is now in ministry in Utah. He will be installed on July 19 and is moving to the area with wife, Roanne, and their children, Micah, Mandy, Sammy and Isaac.
Taylor is confident the church will be in good hands under the leadership of Epps.
Taylor and his wife will be moving to Charlotte, N.C., to be near family. Their son, Timothy John Taylor, and wife, Lindsy, are the parents of Kennedy, Avary, Greyson and Micah.
He knows they will have fun with their young grandchildren, but also realizes they will become involved in some sort of ministry.
"You never retire from ministry," he said. "I'll be involved in something."
He will continue to pursue his passion for reading and learning and will also indulge his love for hiking. He has a goal of hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail.
Contact writer Charlotte Ferrell Smith at charlotte@dailymailwv.com or 304-348-1246.