http://www.christianchallenge.org/
Christian Challenge, 300 Pearce Road – Pineville, LA 71360 (318) 640-4300
Founding Pastor…
Lawrence “Buddy” Martin and his wife Betty are co-founders of Christian Challenge International. They have served the Lord in the ministry since the mid-1960s. The foundation for Christian Challenge was laid in 1976 with a stewardship from the Lord.
The ministry began as a ‘School for Christian Workers’. It was Brother Buddy’s vision for missions that has led a number of graduates of the school to enter the ministry as pastors or missionaries. Several hundred disciples have been trained under the auspices of Christian Challenge.
Brother Martin received his Bachelor’s Degree from International Seminary in Florida. His love and forte of study is on the Hebraic background of the historic Christian faith.
Bro. Buddy’s wife, Betty, as co-founder of the ministry has been an integral part of the ministry since its founding. She comes from a family of ministers. They have three children. Nathan, André, and Shana, twelve grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
On December 17, 2006, Bro. Buddy turned over the pastoral leadership of Christian Challenge to his son, Nathan, who has served with him since November, 1990. Brother Buddy continues as President of the Board of Directors and as General Overseer of the Christian Challenge organization.
Bro. Buddy’s present ministry includes writing and mentoring. He has a passion to reach out to those caught in forms of religious bondage.
In addition to his in-person ministries at Christian Challenge, Bro. Buddy is the author of a teaching blog and leads two active online discussion forums. He also provides many Bible studies that have blessed countless people all over the world. He often says that Nathan’s role is to “pastor the flock” and his role is to “pastor the pastor.”x
Nathan Martin is now Pastor of Christian Challenge. Nathan grew up in Christian Challenge which his father founded when he was 11 years old. He acknowledged the call to the ministry at a very young age and was licensed to preach at the age of 16.
Nathan attended Louisiana College in Pineville before transferring to King’s Way Missionary Institute in McAllen, TX. In December of 1986 Nathan went to Mexico as a missionary where he helped set up and oversee over a dozen churches among 4 different indigenous people groups (Mixe, Popoluco, Soque and Zapoteco). He also helped establish a large urban church in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico, before returning to the states to serve as Associate Pastor of Christian Challenge in November of 1990.
On May 23, 2004, Nathan was installed as Pastor of Christian Challenge. And on December 17, 2006 Nathan was installed as Senior Pastor of Christian Challenge.
Nathan is married to the former Lori Marie Chapman of McAllen, TX and they have three daughters, Joy, Faith and Hope. (P.S. Check out Bro. Nathan’s blog. http://nathanmartin.blogspot.com/)
Here is the story of the Martins as shared on their 50h wedding anniversary.
Meet the Martins.
When the kids tell it all –
Visits: 28877
