Garrett and Flowers Retire after Decades of Faithful Ministry in the Fargo Area
The members of two North Dakota churches honored their pastors on their retirement in a series of special events on consecutive weekends in October. Dude Garrett (Fargo, ND: Journey Church) and John Flowers (West Fargo, ND: Living Hope Baptist Church) each came to their churches more than thirty years ago.
Garrett and his wife Karon came to Temple Baptist Church from First Baptist Church in Devils Lake, ND. Flowers and his wife Debbie moved to the area from Redfield, SD to plant a new church in West Fargo. The two pastors formed a deep friendship and ministry partnership that spanned nearly four decades.
Each have been active in the Dakota Baptist Convention. Garrett is the current Executive Board chairman and Flowers was the preceding chairman.
Both pastors have been intentionally preparing for their retirements. Over the past five years Flowers has led Living Hope through an intentional transition of leadership to Tanner Olson. Olson joined the staff as an associate pastor, developed into a co-pastor, and has now assumed the role of lead pastor.
About two years ago, Garrett began a conversation with John Fisher, who was pastor of Sojourn Church in Fargo. Their conversations led to a merging of their two congregations into a new church, known as Journey Church. The two served as co-pastors for these past two years. Fisher will continue now as the lead pastor.
