The Islander: Bill Waddell
Island Baptist Church
(Credit: Island Baptist Church Facebook drawn by artist Danah Moore.)
The current Pastor of South Padre Island's Island Baptist Church, Bill Waddell, was contacted by a former church member 21 years ago and he has stayed ever since. Originally from Bridge City, Texas, Waddell finds Port Isabel similar his hometown. "Bridge City is very similar to Port Isabel. There's a big bridge with the bay and not very far from the ocean," said Waddell.
Pictured: Pastor Bill Waddell.
After pastoring another Baptist church outside Laredo, Waddell said he came to the island when a previous church member, who moved to the island, saw Island Baptist Church searching for a pastor. "They were searching for a pastor. One of my church members from Laredo had moved here (SPI), and he put my name into the hat."
Island Baptist Church Background
Familiar with the history of the Island Baptist Church, Waddell told the story of the church's first steps in 1984.
First Baptist Church in Port Isabel formed Island Baptist Church because there was a need for a church on the island. The community met in what is now known as the Pearl South Padre Beachfront Resort Hotel before IBC built its building in 1985.
What it means to be a Baptist Church
Since the start, Waddell has grown in his knowledge of the Word and currently holds three degrees in theology.
Baptist churches, according to Waddell, differ in baptisms by immersion (going all the way under). To be Baptized, in its raw definition, is to be immersed, says Waddell. "A lot of other churches interpret it differently. They sprinkle and other things, but the word means to immerse."
Baptists also practice a believer's Baptism, which is happens once the person has believed as opposed to some churches that baptize infants. "I understand why they do what they do.”
He explained that it would be more of a parent dedication, because the child doesn't know. “The Biblical term baptism refers to after the fact of trusting Christ,” said Waddell.
Waddell's mission for his church is to reach people for Christ and to teach the Scriptures. "For us to reach people and counsel them and lead them in that direction is called discipleship. A disciple is simply a follower of Christ. Our goal is to bring people to follow Christ, not to follow Baptists or us."
Outside of Sunday Services, IBC offers outreach ministries through food pantries and spring break.
"Locally we are probably best known for doing the pancakes and driving people with the vans (to avoid drunk driving). We haven't had to in the past two years because of COVID, but we're ready for this year."
Now, Waddell is going over the book of Luke on Sunday mornings and then on Wednesdays teaching the book of first Corinthians. Waddell personally finished a study of the book of Acts. "I've been in the book of Luke for three years, so I've been at it for a while, but we just go verse by verse, line by line, because we believe the word of God is inspired, and we take it that way. We don't just jump around and pick and choose what we like. We just take it as it comes."
Waddell wants residents of South Padre Island to know, "We are privileged to serve here and be a light hopefully to our communities and pray every day that that's true for us."
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Island Matters | P.O. Box 2778 | South Padre Island, TX 78597
