In love with the Word of God. That’s how Woodrow (Woody) Underwood describes his spiritual walk for as far back as he can remember. Born again at a young age, he has always sensed a call on his life- he was just never sure how far to follow it.

Raised on a farm in Southwestern Virginia he used to stay up till the wee hours of the morning reading the Bible, listening to Jay Vernon McGee, and reading stacks of biblical study books. (It helped that he was raised in a godly home with parents who love the Lord, and surrounded by a family full of faith. Most of the books were supplied by his Grammy.)

Through high school and into his first year of college he became sidetracked- pursuing the popular field of engineering like his peers. He remembers his mom asking if he wanted to go to Bible College and he turned up his nose and said “no way.” But by the end of the first semester of college he realized something wasn’t quite right. He changed majors three times in the first year and at the end of it he realized maybe he should pray about his future and ask the Lord for direction.

It was in this season of prayer that the Lord led him to go to Rhema Bible College where over the next two years he did two things that would forever change his life. He studied the Word of God more deeply and intently than he ever had, for hours every day. It was life changing. And he also met his amazing wife Alis.

After leaving Bible College the two moved back to Virginia where Woody had grown up and jumped into serving in his home church by leading a small Sunday school group. For work Woody drove a truck, first locally, then over the road.

Over the years Alis gave Woody 5 beautiful children- David, Adaline, Daniel, Audrey, and Declan.

They moved a few times between Colorado and Virginia alternating time with his and her family and Woody worked various secular jobs to provide for his growing family, mostly driving a truck..

He still felt a strong call on his life but wasn’t sure what to do with it until one Sunday at Celebration Church, Pastor Brandon shared that ¾ of the churches on the Western Slope were pastorless, and that to meet that need and raise up pastors to feed the flock Celebration would be partnering with several other local churches to form the Pastoral Institute of the Western Slope.

Immediately Woody knew that this was the opportunity he had been waiting for- almost like God was giving him a second chance to be obedient to the call. He enrolled that same day.

Woody’s first sermon in Norwood was simply a volunteer commitment to preach a few sermons for a church that didn’t have a pastor. But the Lord had more in mind. 

Now Woody is serving as the full-time Pastor for Norwood Southern Baptist Church. He still is working his “day job” as a diesel mechanic for Williams Construction, but he is excited and honored to be committed to the future of Norwood Baptist Church and the family of God there. 

He is looking forward with excitement towards what God is going to do in Norwood in the coming years.

To contact Pastor Woody email: Pastor@norwoodsouthernbaptist.com