CEDAR BLUFF — Turning 18 is a milestone birthday for all of us. An 18-year-old can vote, is eligible for jury duty, and can join the military without parental consent. For Caleb Gregg, being 18 means being old enough to do something else: lead a church.

Caleb is pastor of Servant's Heart Baptist Church in Cedar Bluff. The ministry isn't new to him. In fact, Caleb has been a part of it for years.

“When I was about eleven, I wanted God to move in my life,” he says. “I prayed for about three years that God would call me to preach. At the age of 14, I was at Duane Moore's camp in Trenton, Georgia. We were having service. I felt God pulling on my heart. I just wanted to do what God wanted me to do. I felt like it was God calling me to preach.”

After the service Caleb spoke with one of the camp leaders about what he'd experienced.

“He got me down, and we prayed,” Caleb explained. “I accepted God's calling to preach, and I've been trying to serve him the best I can ever since.”

Caleb was attending New Prospect Baptist Church in Gaylesville at the time. For the next few years members and pastors Bud Stiltner and Scott Hobbs supported him. Eventually Caleb was given the pulpit every Wednesday night.

“That was a great chance for me to step up and be able to preach,” he says.
Word of his preaching prowess quickly made the rounds.

“Other churches would call me, and I just love to go out and preach God's Word,” he says.

When Servant's Heart Baptist called on him, they liked what they saw.

“I went over there to preach for them, so they asked me back over and over again,” Caleb says. “I just really like it over there. Eventually, they just became family.”

Caleb is quick to praise his parents, Dewayne and Kim Gregg, for their help.

“My parents have supported me in such a great way,” he says. “They take me to every church camp and every church service we can go to. Every time the doors of a church open, we try to be there—revivals, special meetings, youth meetings, things we can get to. They are the best parents a guy can have.”

Caleb isn't just a preacher that shows up to the pulpit on Sunday. He spends time visiting and going to the nursing home during the week.

“I believe it's a preacher's duty to go out into the hedges and get people to come unto the house of the Lord,” he says.

Caleb realizes that reaching out can have its frustrations.

“Nobody wants to hear God's Word any more,” he says. “Nobody wants to be saved any more. But just knowing that you have somebody that loves you—just feeling God's grace on your life is a joy.”

Caleb and Servants Heart Baptist are hosting a youth rally March 17. The church is located at 100 County Road 92 in Cedar Bluff.

The rally will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided and everyone is invited..