Remembering the Life & Ministry of Pastor Lloyd Eaken

On July 1st, 2025, one of our own, Pastor Lloyd Eaken of Fairview Baptist Church in Anamosa, Iowa was called home to be with his Lord.

Lloyd Eaken served as a pastor for more than 40 years. He retired from Fairview Baptist Church in Anamosa, Iowa. Pastor Lloyd also served as the President of BCI Executive Board from 2014 to 2015.

Fairview Baptist Church in Anamosa was the first Southern Baptist Church to be organized on Iowa soil in 1954.

A Steady Friend and Husband

Lloyd Ray Eaken was known as a friendly and steady pastor and leader, with a good sense of humor. He received his theological education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and, in 1976, answered God’s call to the pastoral ministry.

Lloyd was married to Sharon in 1966 and they had 4 children. Sharon and Lloyd were blessed with a wonderful marriage lasting more than 55 years. In recent years, Lloyd had a long journey with his wife Sharon’s health challenges, which went undiagnosed for many years. She was sick often and he was attentive to her needs. He was a faithful and servant-hearted husband. Sharon passed away in 2021.
Tim and Darlene Lubinus went to Israel along with Lloyd on an Israel tour trip in 2014 with a BCI Pastors group.

Pastor Lloyd’s last ministry role of his 40+ year ministry career was serving as pastor at Fairview Baptist. Unfortunately, the church closed a few years ago.

A Faithful Pastor

“He was a faithful pastor at his church in Anamosa,” said Darin Ulmer, Pastor of Community Baptist Church of Marion and fellow pastor in the Northeast region of BCI. “Pastor Lloyd was a great friend to have and a real encouragement to other pastors.” After the DOM position was discontinued in Northeast Iowa, Pastor Lloyd stepped up to provide leadership and coordinate regular monthly lunches for pastors in Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and other locations. “Those groups were really well attended because he really made it really beneficial to pastors.”

As a pastor, he was active in his community and loved to do outreach. Whenever there was a fifth Sunday in the month, they held a community music service. A lot of the community would come out to hear the music and grab a refreshment. Pastor Darin said, “He was very involved in the Christian Motorcycle Association and used to attend the rallies to be a witness. Wherever he went, Lloyd was a man who wanted people to know about the Lord.”

A Key Leader During A Critical Transition

Lloyd was elected President at 2014 BCI Annual Meeting, this was the same meeting where BCI approved a motion to allocate 50% of funds given by BCI churches to the Cooperative Program. As far as we are aware, this was the first time that this was done by any state convention.

BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus remembers, “Pastor Lloyd was the BCI Executive Board President in 2014 when I began to serve as the Executive Director. He was a critical factor in a smooth transition and he was a leader who helped to bring leaders together.” In announcing Tim’s election as the Executive Director, Pastor Lloyd said, “Tim will be a great asset to the work of the Lord here in Iowa. I personally am looking forward to working closely with him in the months ahead. I encourage all Iowa Baptists to support Tim and lift him to the Lord daily.”

Tim Lubinus said, “Pastor Lloyd shepherded the search committee and the rest of the Board through the process. He was a steady presence who led out of conviction.”