Pastor George Golden in his office at First Baptist Church of Fillmore. Photo credit Carina Monica Montoya.

Written by Carina Monica Montoya

Once in awhile you meet someone who is just downright nice. There is something about people like that who simply exude friendship and goodwill. George Golden is one of those people, so it was no surprise when I learned that he ministers at First Baptist Church of Fillmore on 1st Street.

George’s ministering began in Arlington, Texas where he ministered to a small group that had grown to a congregation of over two thousand by the time he left Texas to minister in Ventura, California. In 1970, George founded the Ventura Baptist Church and ministered to another small group that had grown into the thousands by the time he left Ventura to minister in Fillmore. George has been pastor at First Baptist Church of Fillmore for 15 years.

George began work at an early age to help support his family. He worked odd-jobs and had a paper route when he was 9 years old. Life was tough growing up, but little did he know that his life was soon to change for the better. George’s success in ministering began when he was a teen growing up in a plaza town in North Texas where his peers were high school dropouts and engaged in idle activities. George’s goal in life at that time was to “quit school, go to work, buy a car, and meet a girl.” He achieved one of the goals at age 19 when he met and married his wife of 68 years, Dorothy.

George’s life-changing event happened one day when he met a pastor who visited the plaza. The pastor invited George to church and transported him and others in a bus to church. It was after church service that George’s mindset and life took a complete turnaround. From that day forward, George dedicated his life in serving and giving back to others by helping them find faith, love, and hope. He achieved this by acquiring a small fleet of buses to transport youths to church. He attributes his successes in Arlington and Ventura to his busses, which have literally and figuratively transported young people on a journey that transformed lives, as did the bus ride George took over 50 years ago. His ministering has also taken him to faraway corners of the world, such as Korea Russia, England, Australia, Asia, and Africa. George’s ministering in Fillmore will end in April and he will begin ministering in neighboring Santa Paula

George is a familiar face in the community. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Fillmore and dedicates his time in volunteer service and activities. When you see George out and about in town, say “hello.” He is always open to conversation because he is always ready to “give back” to others what he was fortunate to find, which is faith, love and hope.
s ready to “give back” to others what he was fortunate to find, which is faith, love and hope.