I think it was about in the seventh grade for me when a young, passionate preacher by the name of Wendell Baggett came to Russellville, South Carolina and preached a revival for my home church – Russellville Christian Church. From that time forward, there were several years where one spring it would be Wendell Baggett and the next year Mike Portwood.
Wendell and Mike were both graduates of Atlanta Christian College, the same school our new preacher had graduated from and my high school years were shaped in many ways by the revival sermons they preached every other spring!
Yesterday, 12 April 2017, Wendell’s life in our present world ended. Everyone who knew Wendell knew this day was approaching and yet it is difficult to accept that the world is no longer blessed by his presence.
My mother loved Wendell’s – or “Mr. Baggett” as she called him – preaching. Often, as recently as this past summer, she would ask me, “How’s Mr. Baggett?” After answering her question, she would reply with something like “I never heard a preacher who could get so much out of one verse.” He made an impact on her!
Over the years I don’t recall seeing Wendell that he didn’t ask me about my parents. When my Dad died a few years ago, among the sweetest, most comforting notes I got was a note from Wendell Baggett. His only connection with my Dad and Mother was the occasional revival in Russellville back in the 1960s, but he never lost the connection he made with them. That is the definition of “pastor” at its best.
I had the privilege of teaching most of Wendell’s children when they were students at Atlanta Christian College and Wendell’s oldest daughter, Cindy, is married to Joey Westbrook and Joey and Cindy are among mine and Vicki’s dearest friends. Wendell and Lynda raised their children in the Lord, and what better thing could be said about parenting than that?
Wendell influenced many young men to enter into ministry. For a while, there was almost always a group of young men making career changes and enrolling at Atlanta Christian College from Northside Church of Christ in Virginia. Among them was Billy Rowe – with whom I was privileged to work in ministry for twenty years at First Christian Church in Tyrone. Ken Davidson was also in that group. Billy and Marcella, along with Ken and Linda – and a host of others – followed Wendell’s model of ministry in ways that have made a huge impact on the kingdom of God. Tom Phelps and his family. Greg Wilson and his family. H.B. Glosson and his family. The list could go on.
When I think about Wendell and his ministry, I immediately am reminded of his passion that lost people have an opportunity to hear the good news about Jesus. Wendell won’t be remembered for sermons filled with deep theological ideas – but he won’t be forgotten because when all is said and done, nothing is more important than lost people hearing the good news about Jesus.
Wendell served the church with distinction. In particular, I know about his ministries at Peachcrest Christian Church in Decatur; Northside Church of Christ in New Port News, Virginia; and East Point Christian Church in Georgia. He serve with distinction at Christian City for a number of years. He made a great contribution to Atlanta Christian College as a trustee and faithful supporter.
Wendell loved his faithful wife Lynda and their children, Cindy, Patty, Tracy, and Chuck. He loved his sisters Betty and Carol. He loved his friends and he loved the church. He was, in no uncertain terms, a kingdom person who spent his life doing kingdom things.
I am grateful that my path in life crossed Wendell’s. I know I am a better person because forty-plus years ago, a young preacher named Wendell Baggett came to Russellville, South Carolina and preached the gospel with a kind of passion for lost people that was more obvious than can be described.
God bless his family and his friends who mourn his loss today.
Wye Huxford 
Thanks Wye for a beautiful tribute. Wendell encouraged me from the age of 4 to be a preacher. He truly was one of the best. Grateful for his ministry in my hometown of Newport News.-Andy Baker
LikeLike
What a beautiful tribute to Mr. Baggett, who had a great impact on me and baptized me at Northside. Thank you for mentioning my dad and family. God used Mr. Baggett in a powerful life changing way. We are all praying for his family. Melodie Phelps Hood
LikeLike
This comment has been removed by the author.
LikeLike
Wendell was my preacher at Northside Church of Christ wherein he baptized me and ordained me into the ministry. Wendell comes from a lineage of great preachers. His was Jack Ballard, whose two preachers were Orval Morgan and Olin Hay and Olin's preacher was B. W. Carrier, the father of Paul Carrier. I could never touch the hem of those garments worn by these notables, but one thing is for sure, Wendell passed on the love for the Lord's church and the desire to serve Jesus to the fullest to all those men who went into the ministry under his leadership. I am and always will be proud to call him my preacher!
LikeLike
A truly beautiful and moving tribute.
LikeLike