Tim Whipple is returning to Owensboro this weekend for a book signing on Saturday and to preach on Sunday. Whipple served as a youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Owensboro for more than a decade and later helped start BridgePointe Church. His time at FBC is also in his book about growth and discovering purpose, and he wanted to come back to thank the people who had an impact on his life.
Whipple came to Owensboro in 1983 as the youth pastor at FBC, staying there until 1995. He was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he now lives.
“My time at FBC was one of the most fruitful of my 40-year ministry,” Whipple said. “I left there to take a position in Mississippi but eventually found my way back to be a part of planting BridgePointe in Owensboro.”
Whipple served at BridgePointe for about 2.5 years before moving to plant a church in St. Petersburg, though he said he still has a strong connection to Owensboro.
“We love Owensboro. Our son was born there and we have maintained significant and important relationships there,” Whipple said. “When I left to be a part of a church ministry in Mississippi, I must say I left kicking and screaming because we loved Owensboro, FBC and its people. Apart from God calling us away, I don’t believe I would have ever left.”
Since leaving Owensboro the Whipples have served at two churches as student or youth pastors. The church in St. Petersburg grew into what now reaches more than 6,000 people and includes four campuses. For 3 straight years it was one of the 100 fastest-growing churches in America.
After 17 years, Whipple turned over the leadership of the St. Petersburg church and created a nonprofit called Whatever It Takes Foundation. He said for the last 18 months, the organization has been working in three areas: to assist church development and growth across the country; working in prison education and reform as sustainability partners with the Prison Seminaries Foundation; and working through strategic partnerships to provide education and awareness about human trafficking.
Whipple also speaks, preaches, teaches across the country and continues to write.
His book Daring to Be Whipple’s story of growth and discovery about “who God created me to be and how I can leverage my life for something bigger.” He said because FBC was a significant part of that discovery and formation, they are in the book.
“In the book I ask four formational questions that helped me to discover purpose, passion and who I was to become,” Whipple said. “Those questions are ‘Who Are You? How Did You Get There? Who do you want to be? How are you going to get there?’ My hope is that people will find themselves in my story and use it to live a life of becoming all that they can be.”
Whipple said because FBC and its people were instrumental in his life, he wanted to come back and tell them that and share his story with them.
“All that has happened in my life is because they poured into me and helped me discover my giftedness,” Whipple said. “I will be forever grateful for their impact on mine and my family’s life.”
The book signing will be at Julep Home & Gift (2738 Frederica St.) form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Whipple will preach at FBC (230 J.R. Miller Blvd.) during the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services.
“I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones,” Whipple said. “I also hope people will use my story to discover the awesome life that is in front of them. As I always say, your best is next and it’s never too late to become the person you were meant to be.”
