Countryside Baptist Church & School
Gainesville, Florida 32606
352-332-1493

• Education: Our pastor, Bill Keith has. Masters degree in Christian Counseling from Liberty University. Gene Keith, Pastor Emeritus, studied at Stetson University in Deland, Florida, the University of Florida in Gainesville, and has a BA degree from Luther Rice.
• Experience: Gene Keith, Pastor Emeritus, has served as a local church pastor since 1954. He has many years experience in broadcasting, has been very active politically, having run for office three times, the last time for a seat in the United States Congress (missing the Republican Primary by 1/4 of 1 %). Gene has forty years experience in Christian Education. He has served as Principal, a Consultant for Consultant for Accelerated Christian Education, and has helped establish a number of schools.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: Pay attention. I love my IPhone and IPad. When I'm preaching, turn them off and listen. When I'm finished, take a written copy home and file it for future references. This may sound crude, but the church in America today is the dumbest in history. Churches must TEACH (Matt. 28:19-20) and members must learn to listen.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: John R. Rice. G. Vernon McGee Dr. Charles Howard Dr. R. G. Lee Jack Vann Im.
• Family: This present writer has been married since 1952 to his childhood sweetheart, Tuelah Rivière, from Palm Harbor, Florida. We have 6 children, 30 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren.
• What my parents think of my sermons: My parents are in heaven now and I believe they are glad they dedicated me to God the day I was born. My mother is probably very proud. Her desire was to be a missionary. She never realized that dream. Looking down she can see me (pastor for 50+ years); my son Bill who is our pastor now (CBC) and his son, Billy, who is the pastor of the fast growing Cross Brand Cowboy Church in Williston, Florida.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: I asked her that question. She replied she believes I am up to date on current events and issues. I might add that the preaching and writing I enjoy most is preaching on controversial issues. I have a number of written articles (sermons) on issues we face every day.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Preach the Word! Avoid the temptation of being a man-pleaser, an entertainer, or an ear-tickler. I like sermons that relate current events to God's Word. Fe example, I preached this morning on "keep you eye in the sky and your powder dry." I used 2 Tim. 3:1 (perilous times); 2 Thess. 2 (the great falling away) etc. we are living in the most critical period in American history and pastors must not be "dumb dogs who cannot bark." The church has become a "Non-Prophet" organization.
• Books that have had an impact: I will be 80 years old this Christmas and I am an avid reader. I have 100+ books on my Kindle reader on my IPad, a hundreds of books the library in my barn. it would be difficult for me to tell which book has made the most impact. I read to learn. I seldom read fiction.
• Hobbies: Fishing, flying, hunting, writing. Being with my kids and grandkids.
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Be sure you are saved. Major on Evangelism. Make disciples, don't make "members." Be like Paul in (Acts 20) Preach to ALL people (Publicly and house-to-house); REPENT & BELIEVE (repentance toward God and faith in The Lord Jesus Christ).
• Something funny that happened while preaching: Several funny things while baptizing but not while preaching. Little boys crawling under the pews looking for chewing gum.
• What I want on my tombstone: I've fought the fight, finished my course, and have kept the faith.