Temple Baptist Church Honors Richard and Sandy Lewis for 50 Years of Missions Faithfulness

Temple Baptist Church in Springdale, pastored by Keith Buttram, recently combined its annual missions conference with a special milestone celebration, honoring veteran missionaries Richard and Sandy Lewis for 50 years of faithful missions service. The conference was held April 10-12, 2026. 

The weekend theme, “No Other Name Under Heaven,” focused on the urgency of the gospel and the church’s continuing responsibility to take the message of Christ to the nations. Throughout the conference, members were challenged by preaching, fellowship, and personal testimonies connected to the cause of world evangelism.

A central highlight of the weekend was the recognition of the Lewis family’s five decades in missions ministry. Richard Lewis shared that Temple Baptist Church has played a significant role in their journey. After resigning a pastorate in Gainesville, Texas, the Lewises moved to Sherman, Texas, where Don Elmore was serving as pastor and that church became their sending church. Later, while the Lewises were serving in Kenya, the Elmore family relocated to Springdale, and Temple Baptist Church became their sending church.

Lewis expressed gratitude to Keith Buttram and the Temple congregation for the special recognition. He also noted the joy of having their daughters, Sara Toombs and Becky Marietta, present for the celebration weekend.

Additional conference events included a ladies’ luncheon where Sandy Lewis shared with the women of the church, and several fellowship opportunities designed to strengthen the church’s missions emphasis. Buttram presented the Lewises with a commemorative stone globe in recognition of their years of service and global ministry impact.

Richard Lewis also brought the primary messages during the conference. On Saturday evening, from John 4:35, he preached a message titled, “What’s Gone Wrong With the Harvest? Seven Reasons Three Billion People Have Never Heard About Jesus.” On Sunday morning, he concluded the conference by preaching on “Fifty Years of God’s Faithfulness,” reflecting on the Lord’s sustaining grace across five decades of ministry.

The weekend served as both a celebration of God’s faithfulness in the lives of Richard and Sandy Lewis and a renewed call for believers to remain committed to the Great Commission.