Westlake native Dr. Wayne McEntire has returned to his home church to serve as pastor. The 1981 graduate of Westlake High School assumed duties at First Baptist Church on January 3. He served as principal of Hamilton Christian Academy in Lake Charles for more than six years before returning to the Westlake church.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve as pastor,” says Dr. McEntire, “and Westlake is poised to see a new and better day.” His vision is for a “strong church” where believers are inspired and equipped to live confident, productive, victorious, and abundant lives. “Life has seasons of wilderness wanderings,” he says, “but God’s perfect will is for us to live in the Promised Land. We have to trust God to part the waters, tumble the walls, and slay the giants. Many drop dead in the desert, but I’m going in!”
Pastor McEntire has previously worked on staff at three churches and two Christian schools. This is actually his second time to serve at Westlake First Baptist – he returned home the first time to work as youth minister more than twenty years ago. He has degrees in theology and Christian education, including a PhD degree, from Louisiana College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“My family is not coming ‘home’,” he adds. “I met my wife in Sugarland, Texas, and all three of my children were born in the Lone Star State. But we have lived here for more than six years and they have embraced the area.” His wife, Kyla, works as an occupational therapist for public schools in Orange, Texas, and also serves as the head volleyball coach and FCA sponsor at Hamilton Christian Academy. Their children, Caleb, 16, Kaci, 14, and Corbin, 9, attend Hamilton Christian Academy.
Sunday morning worship at First Baptist Church begins at 10:15 a.m. The church is located at 501 Sulphur Avenue across from S.P. Arnett Middle School.
Westlake, La. —
