Seidels celebrating 25 years

This Sunday, June 23 at First Baptist Church, they will honor Pastor Harvey and Lois Seidel for 25 years of ministry as Sr. Pastor. The celebration begins at 12:30 p.m. and is open to everyone. A carry in dinner is planned for Sunday with fellowship and testimony time following the service.

The Seidels came to Thermopolis in May of 1994. Harvey and Lois were missionaries in new Church work for 30 years prior to coming to Thermopolis. They have started churches in Colorado, Wyoming and California and been assisting churches in many other states. Pastor Seidel started Grace Baptist Church in Cody and pastored there for 11 years. They have four boys, three in Wyoming — Keith in Cody, Kenneth in Worland, Jon in Sheridan — and Joe in California. They have eight grandchildren and one great grandson.

Harvey added they got to know the people of Thermopolis during his time in Cody as they would travel there to attend church. When the church here opened, he was already familiar with most of the people. During Pastor Seidel’s ministry they have increased their missions ministry fourfold and have added property to the campus at the church location between Fremont and Clark streets on Sixth Street.

Several associate pastors have served with them, Nathan Winters for 12 years and several others, including Kenneth White and Cole Howe. White is now serving a church in Cheyenne and Howe pastors Moab Baptist Church in Moab, Utah. Winters is the Wyoming Director for Family Policy Alliance a ministry of Focus on the Family.

Looking back, Harvey said he was just an Iowa farm boy who came to know the Lord when he was about 14, and it has truly been the burden of his heart to work with people. He met Lois at Omaha Baptist Bible College in Nebraska and they recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary, having been married on June 7, 1962. Though ordained in 1965, his pastoring work actually began in Cañon City, Colo. in 1964.

In addition to his church work, Harvey has been the chairman for the H.O.P.E. Agency, president of the chamber of commerce, a member of the South Thermopolis Water District and treasurer for the Lodging Tax Board.

Regarding Thermopolis, he said they have been accepted and part of the community. “We believe it is our town,” he said, adding they plan to stay when his retirement comes.

First Baptist has a history of longevity in pastors as Harley Pulis pastored from 1947 till 1986, almost 40 years. First Baptist is an independent Baptist Church and stands for the old-fashioned Gospel and conservative separation.

First Baptist present associate is Pastor Tony Newhouse. Pastor Seidel and Pastor Newhouse have worked together in years past. Tony and Karen Newhouse moved here last October.