Paul Strahan, beloved pastor of First Baptist Church Owensboro, passed away Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family. He was 67.
Strahan served the church for nearly 20 years, originally arriving in early 2005 as a transitional pastor through a Lifeway program. Despite a contract that barred him from applying for the full-time role, he quickly earned the love and respect of the congregation—and chose to stay, officially stepping into the permanent role in 2006 and becoming a foundational figure in the church and wider community.
“Paul loved it here, and the people loved him,” said Wesley Dunn, Minister of Discipleship at First Baptist. “He brought stability, and this became home for him and his family. His heart was here.”
A statement from the church said, “The Lord has been faithful to use Paul in mighty ways throughout his years in ministry, but particularly over the last few decades at First Baptist Owensboro. May the Lord comfort Leigh Ann, Anna (husband Tanner), and Katherine in these days. May the Lord comfort the congregation of FBC in these days.”
In his two decades at First Baptist, Dunn said Strahan was instrumental in leading multiple building renovations, guiding the church through spiritual and physical growth, and expanding its outreach through significant support of mission work via the Southern Baptist Convention and Kentucky Baptist Convention. In 2019, he received the Cooperative Program Leadership Award from the KBC, recognizing his impact beyond the pulpit.
“He was a strong, stable leader across our community and really the state,” Dunn said. “His impact was eternal— hundreds of baptisms, countless people discipled, and a congregation shaped by consistent, faithful preaching of God’s word.”
According to Kentucky Today, Strahan was known across the Southern Baptist community for his generosity, faithfulness, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Originally from Mississippi, he also pastored in Louisiana and served at Lifeway in Nashville before coming to Owensboro.
Dunn recalled how Strahan’s warmth extended beyond formal ministry.
“If he met you once, he remembered your name. Ten minutes into a conversation, you’d feel like you’d known him your whole life,” he said. “He was genuine, and he truly cared.”
Strahan’s passing came during one of his favorite weeks of the year — Vacation Bible School. True to his legacy, First Baptist continued VBS as scheduled.
“Paul was a champion of VBS because he wanted children to know Jesus,” Dunn said. “He would’ve wanted this to go on, to see the kids singing and learning Scripture. That’s what he loved.”
Strahan is survived by his wife, Leigh Ann, and their two daughters, Anna and Katherine. Service arrangements have not yet been announced.
