By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
JENA, La. (LBM) – For more than 35 years, Buddy Willis has been one of Louisiana Baptists’ faithful “utility” men in ministry.
Since he was called to serve the Lord in vocational ministry, Willis has served in seven different roles that all have pointed others to the cross.
“I loved working with our state people and making plans and seeing things come together and seeing things done,” Willis told the Baptist Message. “None of it was ever done for the glory of anyone. It was done for the glory of the Lord.”
In 2022, Willis was named a Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Retiree of the Year for his dedication to ministry. He retired in December 2021 as director of missions of LaSalle Baptist Association after serving in that capacity for eight years.
Born in Jena, Willis gave his heart to Christ as a 9-year-old on June 9, 1949, during a revival service at Temple Baptist Church in that city.
Sixty-two years later, Willis felt called to the ministry while he was transporting servicemen as they arrived and departed New York City during the Vietnam War era. However, he felt serving as a pastor would not financially support his family.
But, the Holy Spirit continued to work on him and in 1988 Willis finally surrendered to God’s calling on his life to share the Good News.
Shortly afterward, Willis began proclaiming the Gospel in Cottonport and Jena prisons. For the next 32 years, Willis saw more than 1,000 men turn to Christ, four who eventually served as a pastor after being released from prison.
“I always went there not condemning the prisoners for what they have done but showing them the compassion of God,” Willis said. “I had been given second chances and knew they should, too.” Willis also has filled the pulpit at numerous churches, helped build four churches for the Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board), served as a chaplain and feeding team member with Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, helped establish Kingdom Builders that completed more than 60 building projects for churches across the United States, served on the LBC Executive Board, proclaimed the Gospel while on mission trips in Bolivia, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua, and took a trip to Israel.
Though he no longer is director of missions, Willis still has fond memories of serving the 30 congregations in LaSalle Baptist Association.
“I loved working with the different churches in my time here,” he said. “All these churches were like children. Just as you don’t have two children that act the same way, you don’t have two churches that act the same way. However, you treat them the same way, and it was just a joy to see the many ways they were able to serve the Kingdom.”
