By Gerard Flanagan, news writer/photographer/social media, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The Rev. Rodney McFarland Jr., pastor of First Baptist Church Bracktown in Lexington, Ky., will speak at Campbellsville University’s chapel at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17 in Ransdell Chapel, 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville, Ky.
It will be Campbellsville University’s Thanksgiving Chapel presented by the Robertson Worship Committee.
McFarland, a native of Monroe, La., has served as pastor at First Baptist Church Bracktown since Oct. 11, 2020. In 2009, he graduated from Southern University in Shreveport, La., with an Associate degree of Applied Science in Funeral Service Administration. In December 2013, he earned Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Ministry Leadership with a concentration in Biblical Studies from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.
In 2010, McFarland’s pastoral journey began at the Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in Longview. According to his biography, while serving the Hebron Church, McFarland administered the duties of pastoral leadership, collaborated with pastors in associational and state ministries and established scholarships for first-time college students.
After nearly six years at Hebron, McFarland was called to pastor the Mt. Ollie Baptist Church Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y. in November 2015. While there, he partnered with neighboring organizations to meet the physical and spiritual demands of the church’s membership. Under his leadership at Mt. Ollie, McFarland and members of Mt. Ollie Baptist Church completed numerous renovation projects at the church facility, organized a disaster relief team, increased the financial amount given in scholarships to first-time college students and sponsored annual community events to intentionally draw people to Jesus Christ.
McFarland is a member of the National Baptist Convention and for the past five years has served as the annual worship leader of the Sunday School Publishing Board Conference in Nashville, Tenn. As an independent record artist, McFarland has released two singles: “He’s Sweet I Know” and “Make Sure.”
McFarland is also a certified and licensed funeral director in the state of Louisiana, and he serves as second vice president of his family firm, McFarland Funeral Companies in Monroe, La.
He is married to Lady Falon McFarland of Jonesboro, La., and they have three children: Ava, Bella and Rodney III.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.