"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" John 16:33

Some of Pastor Ken's favorite books in the Bible include Colossians, for it's powerful depiction of Jesus Christ as not only the Creator of everything, but the constant force that holds the universe together at the molecular level. And, the Gospel of John for its unabashed presentation of Jesus as the only Word, the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life. He enjoys the works of Oswald Chambers, C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton among others to numerous to mention. A favorite link for Bible and original languages research is www.Biblehub​.com and for news is www.breitbart.com.

Reverend Kenneth W. Long, Sr.

Pastor

     Pastor Kenneth (Ken) Long was born in Tabor City, NC. His father was a farmer and his mother a chemical analyst in the textile industry.  Growing up in Columbus County, Pastor Ken graduated from Williams Township High in 1966.  From there he graduated from the North Carolina School of Data Management in Raleigh and studied at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville.

     Entering into the professional world, Pastor Ken took an entry level position with Waccamaw Bank in 1967. As the company grew so did he, moving quickly through the ranks to become one of the youngest Vice Presidents in banking in North Carolina. Though the Lord had called him into the ministry in his late teens, he resisted and spent the next 40 years founding and then selling multiple financial and technology companies.

     Though Pastor Ken's entire life had been dedicated to the Lord's work through His church, having been ordained a deacon at age 21, serving as adult and young couples teacher, chairing the finance committees, Sunday School Director, many Baptist associational positions, denominational work and over a decade as Trustee of Wingate University, he knew God wanted all of him.  So after a series of life changing events, the Lord in mercy brought him to full surrender to His will in 2011.  The next year was spent attending Fruitland Bible College classes and interim pulpit supply in the Brunswick Baptist Association.  Though he was content to work with different churches, it was again through a series of God controlled events that Pastor Ken became Pastor of Elah Baptist Church.

     The Pastor's goals for Elah include maintaining and growing a vibrant traditional Southern Baptist fellowship at a pace where members can grow in the Lord and get to know each other. The pastor believes that the Gospel should not only be heard and learned but also carried out into the community. He firmly believes in congregational training for missions in our neighborhoods, believing everyone in the church is called to be a disciple maker.