After six years as pastor of Jayton’s First Baptist Church, Rev. Jake Edwards has accepted a call to the Georgetown Baptist Church in Pottsboro, Texas, near Denison on the Oklahoma border north of Dallas. The departure of the Edwards family on May 23 will leave a gap not only in the church’s pulpit, but in numerous community roles— including that of executive director of the Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home, an initiative spearheaded in recent years by Edwards’ wife, Tricia.
Tricia Edwards’ successor, Sky Gregory of Benjamin, Texas, where husband Clint works on a ranch, was named in April; Gregory has been undergoing training and took up her new post as of May 1. Gregory, a volunteer, relief house parent at the home, and eventual part time staffer, has been involved with the home since 2020.
“I love everything about the Sparrow’s Nest and I am so excited to see what God has in store for our ministry,” Gregory posted on Facebook.
The Edwardses moved to Jayton in June 2016 and have served not only in the church, but in the tightly knit Kent County community, especially Jayton-Girard schools, where their own children have attended and participated in extracurricular activities.
“My biggest takeaway from Jayton is learning not to simply come and serve in a church but serve in a commuity,” Jake Edwards said. “Jayton has been an incredible communtiy for us and our family, and we’ve made some of the best friends of lives here.”
Jake Edwards, who grew up in Graham, Texas, also reported on sports part-time for The Texas Spur newspaper and served in the local Lions Club, most recently as president. Tricia, who graduated from Floydada High and lived in various West Texas locales, holds a master’s degree in education.
“We just jumped into the community with both feet,” said Jake. “I can’t even begin to name the firsts that happened here . . . I rode a horse for the first time,” he added, laughing.
Jake will begin at Pottsboro May 29, when the congregation’s interim pastor preaches his last sermon. “I’ll preach my first sermon there June 5, which is my anniversary of starting in Jayton in 2016,” he said.
Tricia plans to spend time with the kids during summer, helping them get acclimated and prepared for Pottsboro ISD schools, and expects to take a few months to decide on her next steps. She will still serve on the board of the Sparrow’s Nest nonprofit organization.
As for FBC Jayton, the church’s leadership council under chairman Stephen Reynolds will be building a list of candidates for a pulpit committee, and praying about potential candidates. A churchwide meeting will be held in due time to consider options and vote on candidates.
The Edwardses’ last Sunday at Jayton will be May 22, “not good-bye,” said Jake, “but maybe more like ‘see you later.’”
“Learning to make disciples is what it’s all about for me,” said Jake. “There are some incredible people in our church— and FBC Jayton has a bright future.”
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