First Baptist
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Church C uero In the rhythms of grace and the harmonies of service, Pastor Larry Cheesman has composed a life that sings of God's goodness. As he retires from his role as Pastor of Music and Worship, we pause to honor not only the powerful worship he has led, but the journey— marked by transformation, resilience, and faith—that brought him to this place.
Larry was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 10, 1958, the firstborn of a hardworking family in motion. His father, studying to become an engineer, moved the family across states and campuses before landing at Washington University in St. Louis. His mother, an RN, anchored their home—her strength and sacrifices providing the backdrop for a life built on devotion and endurance. Larry recalls living in a suburban neighborhood outside St. Louis during that season, a formative time when stability came not from place, but from purpose.
It was his mother—long weekends spent working, holding onto a Baptist foundation—who nudged Larry toward faith. He started Sunday school around third grade, and when his sisters reached that same age, they joined him too. As soon as Larry got his driver’s license, he began taking them to church himself, a quiet act of responsibility that reveals his character early on: committed, thoughtful, and grounded.
Larry didn’t come to Christ in a dramatic altar call. It was more layered—a slow stirring of curiosity, questions, and longing. He found himself genuinely enjoying church, wanting to know more about Scripture and God, reading and listening with what he calls “an intellectual understanding of the gospel.” But that understanding hadn’t yet taken root in his heart.
Then life shifted. His parents separated during his senior year of high school. At the same time, Larry was trying to emotionally support a close friend unknowingly battling bipolar disorder. One evening, he came home from spending time with her—she had cried the entire visit—only to find his mother overwhelmed and in tears too. In his room that night, Larry remembers staring at the ceiling and thinking: “What is happening to my life?” He considered escape, picturing a fresh start in California, then abandoning that idea. Next came thoughts of getting drunk or high—quick fixes to numb the ache. But even those felt hollow.
And then he saw it: his Sunday school quarterly, lying next to his Bible. Something nudged him to pick it up and read. The passage was from Matthew 7—Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders. “And great was the fall of it,” the Scripture said, describing the collapse of a life built on sand. This moment was powerful, but it became even clearer as Larry reflected on the contrast between his current path and the spiritual truth of the parable.
He was at a spiritual crossroads, contemplating choices—drunkenness and drugs—that represented a life built on sand: unstable, fleeting, and vulnerable to collapse. The Scripture he read wasn’t random; it was divine intervention, a wake-up call. In that moment of clarity, Larry realized God was calling him to build his life on a firmer foundation— one rooted in truth, obedience, and grace. That night, he gave his heart to the Lord, not just in knowledge but in surrender.
Though Larry excelled academically, his path wasn’t always clear. With a father gifted in math and a mother in nursing, there was subtle pressure to pursue science. But biology and chemistry—taught by well-meaning but ineffective teachers—quickly lost their appeal. Instead, it was the band directors who left a lasting impression. Their passion, discipline, and belief in their students sparked something in Larry. He began to dream of becoming like them—someone who could inspire through music and mentorship.
At this point, music was remaining a constant presence in Larry’s life. He enrolled at UTSA and pursued his passion as a music major. His dream was to become a band director. Amid school and band life, Larry joined a campus Bible study led by a woman gifted not only in teaching but in hospitality. Her warmth helped Larry and 20–25 other students build relationships, faith, and community. Years later, her husband would ask Larry to officiate her funeral—one of the greatest honors he’s felt in ministry.
Pastor Larry Cheesman
It was during a UTSA band tour that Larry reached another turning point. After a sleepless night in Padre Island, he went out for a walk on the beach at 4 a.m. He was drained—worn down by the constant travel and the relentless rhythm of band life. Music, once his passion, was beginning to feel like a chore. The excitement had dulled.
“God, something has to change,” he prayed. And as if someone were walking beside him, Larry heard a quiet whisper: “You’ve been doing it your way. If you start doing things My way, you’ll be a lot happier.” That whisper would remain with him.
Later in his spiritual journey, Larry found himself reading Romans 4—a passage that struck him with unusual clarity. At the time, he was grappling with uncertainty about the direction of his life, the demands of music, and a newfound yearning to do things God’s way. What captured his attention wasn’t just the words, but their personal significance.
In this chapter, Paul describes how Abraham received circumcision not as a requirement to prove his faith, but as a sign of the deep belief he already held. That truth hit Larry like a divine whisper. It reminded him that faith isn’t about outward rituals—it’s about what’s already happening in the heart. He saw the parallels between circumcision for the Jewish believers and baptism for Christians. Just as Abraham’s act was a declaration of an internal commitment, Larry realized that baptism wasn’t just tradition—it was a symbol of his inward transformation, a public testimony of the spiritual change God had begun in him.
It was as if the words themselves were being spoken directly to him: 'Your life is shifting, your faith is deepening—and this is how I want you to respond.' That revelation grounded Larry’s calling more firmly than ever. It wasn’t just about music anymore— it was about ministry, identity, and marking his faith journey in a way that would echo forward.
And then came Brenda. A bright, talented saxophonist with a quiet strength, she joined the UTSA jazz band in 1979. Larry didn’t notice her immediately—but slowly, he began to see something special in her. Not just her musical gift, but her faith, her kindness, and the way she carried herself with grace and joy. In casual conversations, she’d mention attending Bible study or share thoughts that reflected a deep relationship with the Lord. Larry found himself listening closer, smiling more, and realizing— almost as if guided—she was checking every box he had prayerfully made for the woman he hoped to marry.
Their first date was more than memorable— it was magical. They went to see jazz legends Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald in concert, a night of timeless music echoing the beginnings of something sacred. But even then, Larry's heart was rooted in service. He had a Christmas program rehearsal scheduled the same evening, and rather than skip it, he adjusted the timing of their date. Brenda understood, and that simple act—of putting ministry first, with Brenda’s full support—set the tone for their relationship.
They grew closer in both love and faith, steadily building a foundation as strong as the harmonies they played together. On December 19, 1981, Larry and Brenda stood hand-in-hand before God, family, and friends, committing their lives to each other and to a journey led by grace.
That summer, a music director at a small church had to step away for personal reasons, and Larry was asked to temporarily fill in. He stepped into the role with humility, believing it was simply a way to serve during a transitional moment. But as time went on—and it became clear the original director wouldn't be returning—Larry felt something stir. Could this be something more?
At the time, he was student teaching and beginning to apply for band director positions, nudged by one of his professors who reminded him that graduation was near. But the thought of teaching band all day, every day, began to weigh on him. It just didn’t sit right.
That whisper Larry had experienced months earlier on the beach had stayed with him. And then, while stopped at a red light on the corner of Babcock Road and De Zavala in San Antonio, he felt another divine nudge. It was as if God was confirming the shift—calling him not just to music, but to ministry. That moment, quiet and unassuming, became a spiritual landmark.
So Larry began to pray. And then he spoke with Brenda. “I think God may be calling me into ministry,” he told her, quietly. Brenda, always thoughtful and faith-filled, looked at him and asked simply, “Have you prayed about it?” Her gentle question wasn't a test—it was affirmation. And Larry had. The more he prayed, the more the path lit up ahead of him. It wasn’t just that he didn’t want to be a full-time band teacher… it was that God was pulling him into something deeper, something lasting.
That moment between Larry and Brenda marked a quiet turning point— their shared willingness to follow God’s call, even if it meant stepping into the unknown. From then on, Larry pursued ministry with confidence, eventually earning his Master of Divinity with a concentration in Church Music, combining his love for worship, his gift in music, and the sense of purpose that had begun blooming on that quiet summer day.
Larry’s ministry journey had officially begun at Medical Center Baptist Church in San Antonio, where he served from 1981 to 1983. From there, he moved to Lakeview Baptist Church in Grand Prairie (1985–1989), followed by a decade at First Baptist Church in Seminole (1989–1999). Finally, in 1999, Larry and Brenda arrived at First Baptist Church in Cuero, where they have been serving faithfully for over two decades. Larry reflects how each church has become a chapter in his calling— marked by growth, challenge, and deep community.
Over the years, Larry has worn many hats—but all of them were crowned with compassion and purpose. He has stood at the front of the sanctuary with arms lifted and eyes closed, guiding worshipers into deep communion with God. He has taught Sunday school with the same quiet conviction that marked his own journey—believing firmly that a well-planted seed of Scripture in a child’s heart can bloom for a lifetime. One of Larry’s most unexpected faith journeys began with a guitar. He didn’t start learning until he arrived in Cuero, but it quickly became a tool for ministry—used in worship teams, children’s programs, and adult gatherings. It stretched him, challenged him, and opened new doors to serve.
During his time in Grand Prairie, Larry took a second job to make ends meet. The environment was rough— filled with dishonesty and coarse language. He considered quitting, but after prayer, felt God had placed him there for a reason. In just two weeks, he was able to witness to two coworkers. It was a reminder that even uncomfortable places can become mission fields—opportunities to live out the gospel in quiet, powerful ways. Larry’s advice to those seeking to integrate faith and career is simple but profound: “Don’t expect applause. Decide up front to be faithful to the Lord.” He acknowledges that standing firm in faith may lead to isolation—but it also opens doors for ministry. “When crisis hits, people will come to you. That’s when your faith becomes a light.”
His leadership reached across generations— from directing the laughter- filled chaos of children’s choirs to inspiring the soul searching harmonies of youth groups. Whether participating in mission trips that has taken the team to the rugged beauty of Alaska or leading intimate small-group Bible stud-
SEE PASTOR, PAGE 8 ies in living rooms and fellowship halls, Larry never just managed ministry— he cultivated it.
He created spaces where believers could connect, heal, ask questions, and encounter truth.
That cultivation extended far beyond the walls of the church. On mission trips to Peru and deep into the Amazon basin, Larry witnessed the global body of Christ— believers worshiping in remote villages, hungry for truth. Flying into Lima and navigating the dense Amazon jungle required more than logistics— it demanded faith.
Larry recalls stepping into the unknown, trusting God to guide each step. These trips weren’t just about service; they were spiritual leaps that have helped shape his walk with Christ.
Through Grand Prairie, Seminole, and finally Cuero, Larry’s ministry has never been half-hearted— it is whole-hearted. A blend of steadfast service and heartfelt passion, grounded in the belief that worship is not a performance, but an offering. That same spirit of devotion has extended beyond the walls of the church. Each experience— whether in a Texas fellowship hall or a jungle clearing—has expanded Larry’s vision of God’s kingdom, revealing its vastness and diversity. He has witnessed the same Spirit at work in places near and far, reminding him that the gospel knows no borders. He and Brenda plan to continue these mission journeys, carrying the message of hope and grace wherever God leads.
His deepest teaching remains simple and profound: that the Word of God is alive. To know God, you must make space for Him—daily devotion, quiet solitude, sacred stillness. Larry lives out what he teaches, letting Scripture pour over him and shape the rhythm of his days.
His favorite hymn, God Our Judge—written by James Cheesman—isn’t just one he loves. It’s one he lives. With lyrics that praise God’s justice and grace, it echoes Larry’s reverence for a righteous yet merciful Creator.
And in Philippians 2:5– 11, his chosen Scripture, we see the posture of his heart: to think like Christ, serve like Christ, and humble himself in all things.
Of all his accomplishments, Larry is most proud of being a father.
Raising two sons who became devoted husbands, fathers, and followers of Christ has been his greatest reward. Parenting, though challenging, became a sacred ministry of its own— one marked by grace, patience, and unwavering faith.
As Larry steps into retirement—after more than 43 years of devoted marriage to Brenda, two grown sons raised with love, and four grandchildren full of promise—we celebrate more than a career. We celebrate a life faithfully lived.
We thank him for every note played, every lyric lifted, every hallway conversation that turned into prayer. His impact stretches far beyond melodies and sermons—it lives in the hearts of those he's shepherded.
His life is built, unwaveringly, on the Rock.
And because of that, when the winds come and the rains fall, his house stands firm. Not just firm—but radiant.
