S.D. Bodwell had come from a rough background. During high school, after having a disagreement with the football coach, S.D. had dropped out. This young and stubborn man who was prone to fights, spent time both in a jailhouse and in the Navy before returning to finish his high school education. It was here that he met his sweetheart, Barbara, whom he would later marry. The couple went on to attend a two-year teacher’s school together where they encountered some very difficult financial times as students.
Things seemed to take a turn for the better when S.D. met Senator Joe Flatt who helped him secure a successful job with the State of Iowa. S.D. and Barbara began living very comfortable lives, now having enough resources to purchase what their hearts desired.
It was also Senator Flatt, a long-standing OBBC and FBBC board member, who invited the Bodwell’s to church in 1961. After attending Grace Baptist Church in Winterset, Iowa, for more than two months, leaving each service talking about what they “couldn’t do” if they accepted God’s way of salvation, S.D. and Barbara Bodwell finally gave their lives to Christ. They now left church services with a new mindset, talking about what they “could do.”
A large part of S.D.’s story revolves around Grace Baptist Church in Winterset and four men whom God placed in S.D.’s life: Senator Joseph Flatt, also a General in the Army National Guard and owner of a clothing store; Charlie Shaffer, a contractor; Bob Gideon, a school teacher; and Roger Hircock, owner of a lawnmower shop. Dubbed “The Faithful Four” by S.D., who references the four men found in the second chapter of Mark, these mentors faithfully met with S.D. every Saturday at Good’s Bakery. They patiently answered a myriad of spiritually related questions week after week, serving as God’s instruments to refine this new Christian. A man still very rough around the edges was being discipled by faithful church members. Upon reflection of the impact Grace Baptist Church had in his life, S.D. said, “I don’t know where we would be without them.”
After the Bodwell’s salvation, the Lord began his work of calling S.D. into the ministry. When S.D. talked to his wife about attending Bible College, she was not on board with this idea. Barbara felt very secure in their current financial situation, and did not want to repeat the hard financial times they had previously gone through when they were both in teacher’s school. S.D. knew her support was crucial to his desire to study for the ministry. Even though he let the idea rest, it is a blessing to look back and see how God was at work behind the scenes to change her heart and give the Bodwell’s a new purpose.
In May of 1963, the Bodwell’s pastor, Rev. Henry Short, suddenly passed away after a short illness. It was after S.D. and Barbara attended the funeral for Rev. Short that S.D. remembers very clearly Barbara saying she was ready for Bible college. Forty pastors had attended that funeral, and they all stood up and sang the beloved hymn, “Blessed Assurance.” Today, this is S.D.’s favorite hymn. In recently hearing this account repeated, S.D.’s son, Kelly, began to tear up. He realized that the whole course of his family’s lives had been sovereignly redirected.
And so God’s plan for the Bodwell’s became their new plan. Their lives as married Bible college students began at Omaha Baptist Bible College in 1963 with two young children in tow. Even in Omaha, the influence of Grace Baptist Church continued, as Rev. Short’s wife, Masie, began working for OBBC. She would visit the Bodwell’s home and continue to encourage them in their faith. She also gifted S.D. with many of her late husband’s sermon notes.
S.D. graduated from OBBC in 1967. He was part of the last graduating class in Omaha before the college moved to Ankeny, and S.D. was not disappointed to miss out on the big move. He was just excited to be graduating. The couple, now in their mid 30’s, began their ministry at First Regular Baptist Church in Knoxville, Iowa, on the first Sunday of June that same year. To this day, S.D. celebrates this anniversary on the first Sunday of every June by wearing the original suit that was gifted to him when he entered the ministry. Gifted to him by none other than Senator Joe Flatt, owner of Flatt’s Clothing Store.
From Iowa to Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, and Missouri, Pastor Bodwell and Barbara served together for forty-six plus years before God called Barbara home in 2013. God gave them four children, two who are also pastors. Although Barbara willingly took a second place in the ministry, S.D. calls Barbara the “love of my life and the brains of my life.” What has become of S.D.? He is still serving as pastor of Community Baptist Church in Emden, Missouri. He and one of his sons also run the Cross Circle Ranch for church and homeschool groups where S.D. says the favorite attraction is the jailhouse wagon. Very ironic considering S.D.’s rough background.
As S.D. looks to begin his 60th year of ministry this June, he is still thanking God for Grace Baptist Church in Winterset, Iowa; and we are reminded of everything S.D. and his wife, Barbara, “could do” with lives surrendered to serve Christ. With a new mindset and a new purpose, a new plan can be to the praise of His glory!
