Faithful Through the Years
A Novel Inspired by the Steadfast Legacy of Real Baptist Servants of God

What does it look like to serve God faithfully from youth to old age… through joy and sorrow, gain and grief, growth and loss?

In Faithful Through the Years, Marvin McKenzie presents a deeply moving fictional account inspired by true stories of Baptist pastors whose ministries left an eternal imprint on generations. This novel is a tribute to men like Charles Kearns and Bill Wambsganss—names changed in the book, but their legacy echoed on every page.

The story follows Clark Harlan, a young Bible college graduate who moves with his wife to the seaside town of Rainier Bay to plant a church. From humble beginnings in rented halls and funeral home chapels, Westshore Baptist Church takes root. Tragedy strikes early, and Clark is forced to step away, leaving a faithful work behind.

Years later, a Kansas farmer named Harvey Walters, saved under the preaching of a traveling evangelist, is called to pastor the very church Clark started. With humility and grit, he stabilizes the flock, casting vision and building on the foundation already laid. His legacy lives on in his son, Ben Walters, a joyful, passionate preacher who accepts the call to follow in his father’s footsteps at Westshore.

Ben’s ministry spans decades, marked by his passionate preaching, vibrant children’s ministries, and widespread influence as a speaker at youth camps throughout the western United States. But Ben’s story is also one of personal loss—his first wife Laura succumbs to cancer. Yet God brings new companionship in Ruth, another pastor’s widow, and Ben presses forward in service, faithful to the end.

As the story unfolds over multiple generations, Faithful Through the Years also tells a cautionary tale. After Ben’s retirement, the church he poured his life into slowly drifts. A succession of pastors bring subtle compromises that eventually lead the church away from its independent Baptist roots and doctrinal clarity. From a vibrant gospel lighthouse to a dimming institution, the transformation is gradual—but unmistakable.

This novel is more than a story—it’s a call to stand firm.

Written in a warm, narrative style reminiscent of Al Lacy’s historical fiction, Pastor Marvin McKenzie weaves real ministry values into every chapter. Readers will find encouragement, conviction, and a renewed desire to honor their heritage, pastors, and mentors who have walked the old paths.

If you love stories of faithful servants, multigenerational legacy, church planting, and the enduring strength of Scripture-based ministry—this book is for you.

Themes and Features:

• A tribute to traditional Baptist ministry and pastoral faithfulness
• A multigenerational story of calling, sacrifice, and godly legacy
• A warning against spiritual drift and compromise in local churches
• Inspired by real men of God who shaped the author’s own ministry
• Perfect for pastors, church workers, Christian educators, and readers who love heartfelt historical fiction with a spiritual message

Whether you’re a pastor, preacher’s kid, faithful church member, or someone considering the ministry, Faithful Through the Years will stir your soul and strengthen your resolve to stay true to the faith once delivered unto the saints.

Will the next generation hold the line… or let it slip?

Read this moving tribute and let it inspire you to be found… faithful through the years.