Peter Beckwith, Interim Pastor
Pastor Peter Beckwith grew up in this area in nearby Waltham and Medford, where his Dad, Louis, was a pastor. After studying Elementary Education at Framingham State College, and receiving his Master of Divinity Degree from Andover Newton Theological School, Peter served as the Pastor of the First Baptist Church on Court Street in Houlton Maine for 4 years. Then, he and his family went as American Baptist Missionaries to Tokyo, Japan. They were missionaries for 11 years, after which Peter was the Pastor of the South Gorham Baptist Church in Gorham, Maine for the next 18 years. That was followed by 2 years at Trinity Baptist Church here in Arlington, from which he initially retired in 2017.
Throughout his ministry, Peter has enjoyed serving in the local church, especially inasmuch as the folk were engaging with God and with others in the community - and sharing with them in the thrill of opening God's Word together and hearing God speaking to and through the community of believers.
Initially, after retirement, Peter and Debbie lived for the next few years "on the road" in their travel trailer spending significant time with their 3 children and 9 grandchildren who live in PA and in Manitoba, Canada.
Since November 2019, Peter and Debbie have been rooted again here in Mass., where Debbie has been caring full-time for her father who has dementia, and her sister who is disabled.
Peter and Debbie love spending time at the Beckwith family cabin in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and on the coast near the ocean. Peter enjoys nature photography, eating Debbie's delicious cooking, and spending time as a "fair-weather fan" of the local sports teams.
What does Peter especially love about Arlington FBC? He loves the diversity and the unity he sees here in the members and among the leadership of the church. He loves how so many people have stepped up during the Covid crisis and helped with tech needs and pitched in so everyone could still connect on a weekly basis. He loves that we "never missed a Sunday Worship service" - because of the hard work and faithfulness of so many dedicated people. He loves this church family!
