10765 Samples Road
Alexander, AR 72002
Phone: 501-316-1985
Susan has been a member of New Life Baptist Church since June of 1996. She began as Financial Secretary in May 2001.
While at NLBC, she has been involved in Sunday School with Preschool, Youth, and now the Young Adult Class. She works with the children in Team Kid and Vacation Bible School programs. She has been blessed by the opportunity to travel to Brazil on several mission trips to assist the construction teams, conduct Bible Schools for children, and lead women in Bible studies and activities. She hopes to return to Brazil for more mission opportunities.
Susan graduated from UALR with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She married her husband, Mark, in March 1981 and they have three children; Amy, Daniel, and Ben.
John Venable, Associate Pastor/Youth Pastor
John Venable joined the staff of NLBC in September 2009 and was ordained into the ministry July 2011. John received his Bachelor of Science in Children and Family Ministries with a minor in Youth Ministries from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. John and his wife, Tara, served at Camp War Eagle in Rogers, Arkansas as summer counselors in 2006 & 2007 and later as full time staff in 2008-2009. While at Camp War Eagle John served as Assistant Director. He also served at Cross Pointe Community Church in Springdale as Children’s Ministry Intern and at Ozone Ministries in Springdale and Fayetteville, Arkansas. John was born in Garland, Texas; the son of a Southern Baptist pastor.
Becky Lavendusky, Pianist / Children Choir Director
Becky Lavendusky has lived in the Avilla Community almost all of her life. She graduated from Bryant High School in 1985 and from UALR in 2001 with a BA in Music. Becky teaches music at Bryant High School, Bryant Middle School, Fine Arts Survey, and General Music, respectively.
Becky has served the Lord with her talent on the piano at Holland Chapel Baptist Church, Indian Spring Baptist Church, and she sang in the choir at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church until joining us here at New Life Baptist Church. She enjoys reading, working puzzles, playing on the Internet, and of course, music, music, music!
Becky was saved at the age of 9 years old and was baptized by her father, Rev. Charles Shepard. She has a 14 year old son, Carden, who is the light of her life.
Lynn Madden, Minister of Music and Worship
Lynn Madden joined the staff of NLBC in August 2011. Lynn earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Mississippi College and a Master of Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Lynn was ordained to the gospel ministry at Dauphin Way Baptist Church of Mobile Alabama. In addition to serving as Minister of Music at Dauphin Way, Lynn served as Associate Pastor: Music and Media at Immanuel Baptist in Little Rock for 14 years. He and Linda have served churches in Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi.
Lynn has served as Vice-President of the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference and "Editor" of the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference JOURNAL. He is a published author in THE CHURCH MUSICIAN and CREATOR magazines as well.
Lynn and Linda live in West Little Rock.
Dr. Sid Sample began his ministry as Pastor of New Life Baptist Church in 2009 after serving a short term as Interim Pastor. He and his wife, Mary, have two sons Stephen and Daniel.
Dr. Sample has his Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Theology degrees. He served on Faculty and Staff at University of Mobile until he retired in 1997. He has specialized training as a Certified Intentional Interim Pastor and has served the Lord as Interim Pastor for numerous congregations.
He has also served as Pastor at: Moffett Road Baptist - Mobile, Alabama; First Baptist – Florence, Alabama; Second Baptist - Hot Springs, Arkansas; First Baptist - North Spartanburg, South Carolina; and St. Andrew Baptist - Panama City, Florida.
He has served the Baptist denomination on numerous committees, conventions, and conferences, as well as, serving as a Trustee for University of Mobile and Ouachita Baptist University.