Former pastor reports on his retirement

BRENHAM, Texas — A former Elida and Ranchvale pastor recently called the Clovis News Journal to report on his retirement status since leaving the Clovis-Portales area.

The Rev. Lester Vinson was pastor of Elida Baptist Church for 2 1/2 years, interim pastor of Iglesia Bautista Bethel in Portales for 15 months and at Ranchvale Baptist Church for five years prior to his retirement June 1.

“Actually, I came out to Clovis to retire, but it didn’t work out that way,” said Vinson, who had come to this area in the early 1990s to be close to his daughter and son-in-law, Jeanny and Jack Meeker, who were then directors of the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home in Portales.

“I’m really retired this time,” quipped Vinson, who had been in and out of the hospital the last two months of his Ranchvale pastorate. “I’ve improved quite a bit, but I have to take care of myself.”

The Ranchvale church members held a reception and going-away service for the Vinsons the third Sunday in May, the pastor said.

“We certainly enjoyed this church,” he said. “We enjoyed the Clovis and Ranchvale communities. We were sorry to leave the area.”

Vinson and his wife now live close to the Meekers again. The Meekers operate the Miracle Farm for Boys, a ministry of Round Rock Children’s Home in Round Rock, Texas.

Besides being close to his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters, Vinson noted another significant factor about Brenham.

“It’s the home of Blue Bell ice cream,” he said.

Reporter’s notebook was compiled by CNJ senior writer Gary Mitchell. Suggested items may be mailed to editor David Stevens at P.O. Box 1689, Clovis 88102. The e-mail address is [email protected]