Clovis, California – Sonrise Church of Clovis, California, paused on Sunday, February 22, 2026, to celebrate a remarkable milestone, honoring three longtime staff members whose ministry has shaped the church for four decades. Senior Pastor Otis Ledbetter, Executive Pastor Phil Laughlin, and Worship Leader and Administrative Assistant Sherry Krigbaum were recognized for 40 years of faithful service during a special celebration service followed by a churchwide reception. Ledbetter’s wife, Gail, Laughlin’s wife, Kathy, and Krigbaum’s husband, Brian, have also faithfully supported their ministries throughout the years and were recognized as part of the celebration.
While pastoral anniversaries are not uncommon, recognizing three staff members reaching the same milestone together is a rare testimony of longevity and unity in ministry. For Sonrise Church, the occasion was more than a celebration of years served. It was a reflection on a shared journey that began in 1986 and continues to influence generations today.
A Beginning Rooted in Calling
They each joined Sonrise Church during the same season of ministry, answering what they believed was God’s calling to serve in California’s Central Valley. Over the next 40 years, their roles would differ, but their mission remained unified, to shepherd people, strengthen families, and build a Christ-centered church community.
Ledbetter has served as senior pastor for four decades, providing steady biblical leadership and vision. A graduate of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, and later earning a Doctor of Ministry degree from Liberty University, Ledbetter’s ministry has extended beyond the local church through writing, speaking, and leadership development efforts focused on helping families pass faith from one generation to the next.
Under his leadership, Sonrise Church experienced seasons of growth and transition while maintaining a strong commitment to biblical preaching and discipleship. Church members expressed gratitude not only for his preaching ministry but also for the stability and pastoral care that have defined his tenure.
Strength Behind the Scenes
Serving alongside Pastor Ledbetter since February 1986, Executive Pastor Phil Laughlin has played a vital role in the operational and organizational health of the church. Often working behind the scenes, Laughlin has helped guide administration, ministry coordination, and strategic planning, enabling the church’s ministries to flourish.
His steady leadership has provided continuity through changing ministry trends and cultural shifts, allowing Sonrise Church to remain focused on its mission while adapting to new opportunities for outreach and discipleship. Church members recognized his faithfulness as a cornerstone of the church’s long-term stability.
A Ministry of Worship and Service
Also joining the staff in 1986, Sherry Krigbaum has faithfully served in dual roles as worship leader and administrative assistant. Her ministry has shaped the church’s worship life while also supporting countless logistical and organizational needs behind the scenes.
For four decades, Krigbaum’s leadership has helped cultivate a worship environment centered on congregational participation and spiritual encouragement. Her administrative contributions have likewise ensured that ministries function smoothly week after week, often in ways that are unseen yet deeply felt throughout the church body.
Together, the three leaders represent complementary expressions of ministry, preaching, administration, and worship, working in harmony to serve the congregation and community.
Ministry Across Generations
One of the most significant aspects of the celebration was the recognition that their shared tenure spans multiple generations of church life. Many families attending the February service have worshiped under their leadership for decades, with children raised in the church now as parents and even grandparents.
Such continuity is increasingly rare in modern ministry, where pastoral transitions often occur every few years. At Sonrise Church, that stability has allowed relationships and discipleship to develop across generations.
Church members reflected on baptisms, weddings, funerals, and countless moments of discipleship that connected their personal stories to the dependable ministry of these leaders. Longevity like this reminds us that the most meaningful ministry is rarely built in a single season but through decades of quiet faithfulness.
A Church with a Broader Influence
In September 2023, the church hosted a national meeting of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International, welcoming pastors and ministry leaders from across the country. When Randy Harp from the BBFI Central Office asked about the possibility of hosting this meeting, Ledbetter immediately answered with an enthusiastic, “YES.” He commented, “The Lord has allowed me to serve our great Fellowship in many ways, but I didn’t think I would ever be asked to host a national meeting.” The meeting reflected the church’s ongoing commitment to partnership and support for the BBFI, a commitment that has been evident throughout the church’s ministry over the past four decades.
Hosting the national meeting highlighted both the church’s organizational strength and its reputation for hospitality and leadership, qualities shaped in part by decades of steady leadership by its staff.
A Celebration of Faithfulness
During the February 22 service, church leaders and members expressed appreciation for all three’s dedication, noting that their ministry has been defined not by personal recognition but by steady obedience to God’s calling. The celebration emphasized gratitude for lives invested in people rather than in programs, and for relationships rather than recognition.
Following the service, attendees gathered for a reception where memories were shared, stories recounted, and appreciation expressed for the lasting influence of the three staff members.
Looking Forward
While the day focused on honoring the past, the tone of the celebration remained forward-looking. Church leaders emphasized that the same unified calling that brought Ledbetter, Laughlin, and Krigbaum to Sonrise Church 40 years ago continues to guide the congregation into the future.
Their combined service stands as a testimony to the power of dependability over time, reminding both the congregation and the Fellowship that enduring impact is often built through decades of consistent service.In an era marked by rapid change, Sonrise Church’s celebration served as a reminder of the lasting impact of long-term ministry. Four decades after answering God’s call, these three continue to model the value of steady, devoted leadership and the kind of influence that shapes a church across generations.
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