Renee Baldwin - Organist/Chef

Title: Organist, Meal Coordinator, Worship Arts Pastor assistant

Basic Personal Information:

I was born and raised in Van Buren. I actually lived in Fort Smith until I was in 5^th grade but then my family moved to Van Buren and I became a member of St. John’s UMC. I started playing the organ at St. John’s when I was in the 8^th grade for the Sunday evening services. By the time I was in 10^th grade I was the organist and played there until I went to the University of Arkansas where I majored in organ.
At the end of my first year at the University I realized I was being called into the field of Special Education. I also met my husband, Brad during that semester and we knew we were going to be a team forever! Brad decided to join the Air Force and we left Arkansas and for the next five years were in the Air Force and lived in Illinois, Utah, Norman, OK where we both worked on our degrees, and Wichita Falls, TX.
After Wichita Falls, TX we left the Air Force and returned to Norman, OK where I finished my degree in Special Education. During school we started our family. We have two sons and have raised our grandson since he was 1 year old.
We moved to Van Buren, AR to raise our family and I started teaching for the Van Buren School District. I taught Special Education for 20 years and then moved into the library at Van Buren High School after I completed my Masters in Instructional Technology. I have just finished my 28^th year of teaching.
I substituted for area organists until I came to Heritage in 1992.

My call to ministry – why it is my passion:

I have loved music all my life. I have an older sister who took piano and after she practiced I would climb up on the bench and “practice”. I could not wait to learn how to really play. I began piano at age 7 and continued until I finished high school. I began organ my junior year in high school.
I can come to the church to practice and once I begin, an hour and even two can pass. As I play the hymns I read the text and I get lost in worship of the awesome God who gave me the love of music. It is such a blessing to be able to lead people in raising their voices in praise.
As far as my work as Meal Coordinator….I just love to cook. I was raised by some very good cooks. My favorite times with my sons were cooking together Thanksgiving meals. We ate meals together almost every night while they lived at home. We had great times at the dinner table. I feel lead to cook meals from scratch where families can come, eat together, spend time together, and have a good meal. Too many times, meals are through a fast food line and time together at the table is missed. I think our community meals are a wonderful thing.
As far as working with the Worship Arts Pastor…..that hardly feels like work. God gave me the ability to be organized, and organizing an office just seemed the natural thing to do!