They like the Rev. Sandra Walton at First Baptist Church.

During a reception Sunday celebrating the 10th anniversary of Walton’s ministry at the church, a church member inscribed “Saint Sandy” in a personal note pasted inside a scrapbook the congregation presented the associate pastor for music and senior adult ministry.

Other notes in the colorful scrapbook said things like “Sandy is Dandy,” and “Sandy ‘rings’ out the best in us” — the latter comment a reference to Walton’s work directing the church’s two young adult handbell choirs.

“I think this is the best way to put it: She will probably go down as the most beloved pastor in the history of First Baptist Church. She’s just well thought of and loved by all of us,” says the Rev. Marcus McFaul, the church’s senior pastor.

It’s hard to find someone in the congregation who doesn’t have something good — or great — to say about Walton, who arrived at First Baptist in March 1993.

She came to Lawrence from First Baptist Church of Parsons, her first call to ministry, where she had served as associate pastor from 1989 to 1993.

Walton’s initial assignment at First Baptist of Lawrence was associate pastor of Christian education, leadership development and pastoral responsibilities.

But her duties have changed and grown as the years have gone by.

“At different times, we’ve needed to call on Sandy to do different things, and she’s always stepped up to the plate and done what was needed superbly,” says Craig Weinaug, longtime member and Douglas County administrator.

“Ten years ago, we would not have thought of her as the person primarily leading the music programs for the church. It wasn’t what she was hired for. Now we can’t imagine her not being in charge of that.”

‘Ideal colleague’

The Rev. Sandra Walton recently celebrated her 10th anniversary of ministry at First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Drive. Walton is the church's associate pastor for music and senior adult ministry.

Walton has a hard time believing the decade she’s spent at First Baptist, 1330 Kasold Drive, has passed so quickly.

“The last 10 years has really flown by. It really has been a sense of ‘this is what I was created for.’ My involvement with people of all ages has been an exciting kind of ministry. I actually prefer being an associate pastor to being a (senior) pastor, because there’s so much more variety, there are many different kinds of things you can do,” says Walton, ordained in 1990.

She sees herself as just one member of a three-part ministry team at First Baptist.

“It does feel like a partnership. Marcus is so supportive of my ministry and my calling. He’s very creative and has involved both Steve (the Rev. Steve Kawiecki, associate pastor for student ministries and Christian education) and I in the planning for worship and other ministries. It’s the most exciting team I can imagine,” Walton says.

McFaul expresses thankfulness that they get to serve together.

“She’s an ideal colleague, because she has gifts and skills in areas that complement the areas that Steve and I both lack. She goes out of her way to pastor to us, as well. Sandy has a pastoral presence with all of us (on staff) that puts us at ease and allows us to do our jobs more effectively,” he says.

Lawrence move felt right

Walton, who earned her master’s of divinity at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., has a busy schedule at the church.

She oversees both the children’s vocal and handbell choirs, First Baptist’s brass ensemble, the senior adult vocal choir (the Silver Tones, her idea), two groups of young adult handbell ringers and the Chancel Choir.

That’s in addition to her ministry to senior adults, which includes organizing activities, trips and retreats.

For Walton, who has a bachelor’s in music education from Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., getting to direct all those choirs is especially fulfilling.

“Music is a very special love. It’s something that bubbles up in me. There’s something about it that just transports me into being closer to God,” she says.

Walton had heard about the quality of ministries at First Baptist of Lawrence while she was still pastoring in Parsons.

When the opportunity arose to answer a call at the Lawrence church, it seemed to be the right move.

“It really did feel like it was God allowing me to come here. I was just tremendously excited about it. It felt like it was the place God wanted me to be. And there’s never been a moment’s doubt about that,” she says.

The recent reception marking her milestone anniversary at First Baptist caught her a little off guard, though.

“Sunday was absolutely glorious. In many ways, I felt overwhelmed by the number of people who were there,” Walton says.

“It was such an affirmation that, even after 10 years, I haven’t worn out my welcome.”