Youth Pastor Ernie Franklin

Ernie: I came to know Christ as a teenager, as a result of my Mother’s prayers. I was 17, at camp, God rocked my world. I saw my sin for what it was, admitted it, confessed it and decided to give my life to Christ. Since that time my life has been full of ups and downs but one constant in my life is that JESUS is Lord. After a short time being a lay youth pastor in my home church, I decided to go to Bible college and train. I left for school that spring to find a job and spend the summer working to support myself through college. This is when I met my wife at the church I attended. We were married two years later. I studied at Baptist Bible College for two years and was offered a position as a worship pastor in Wichita, KS. We Served in KS, CO, and IA for over ten years in areas of music and youth. My passion is to train students to live their lives for Christ. I enjoy spending time with my wife and three kids. We enjoy watching their games, cooking and eating together as a family. For fun I like to BBQ, play basketball, ride mountain bikes and walk my dog.

Lori: I had a great family growing up. My parents were very loving and very involved in our church. My walk with Christ began early in life. As a five year old, I was lead to a relationship with Jesus by my mother in the back of our station wagon. One Sunday, on the way home from church, I realized I needed Jesus and if I died that day, I would not go to be with Him. She made sure I understood that I was a sinner and I how I could have eternal life. He changed my life that day. I was baptized shortly after that. Over the years, God has used many things in my life to bring me to where I am, not perfect, just moldable. At camp, in Junior High, I surrendered my life to full-time service. After High School, I attended Liberty University and then transferred to Baptist Bible College. During my time at BBC I took six months and served as an intern in Tanzania, East Africa. After attending BBC I worked for several years as a secretary and single female college counselor for Cherry Street Baptist Church. After Ernie and I married we started a family. I love being a wife and mom. I also enjoy singing, painting, decorating, window shopping, cooking, baking, jewelry making, graphic arts and design. A cup of flavored coffee, a good passage and some girl talk are also some of my favorite things.

Our Family: We were Married July 18, 1998. We have three incredible, energetic, and loving kids, Ashley is in the process of turning 12 (she’s 11); she enjoys basketball, animals, reading and taking care of others. Ashley accepted Christ at age 5 in Colorado. Scott is 10; he enjoys football, building stuff, playing Wii and entertaining babies. Scott decided to follow Christ at age 8. Annie is 7; she loves anything that allows her to bounce, bubble and run. She likes sparkly things and dressing up animals. Annie “wants to be baptized” and is still processing what a life with Christ means. God is so good! We are so excited to become part of Central Baptist Church.