The ministry of Rev. Andrew Penns will be celebrated Sunday, Jan. 21, at the church he pastors, Valley View Missionary Baptist Church, 3564 Clinton St.

The celebration of Penns’ 36th year as pastor of Valley View will begin at 3 p.m., with Rev. Virgil Nesbit Jr. of Antioch Baptist Church in Wichita Falls as guest speaker. Theme is “A True Servant Chosen by God,” based on Numbers 27: 16-17.

In addition to serving as pastor of Valley View Missionary Baptist Church, Penns also is a member of the Taylor County Historical Commission and is founder and directior of Interested Citizens of Abilene North (ICAN). Penns also is director of the Curtis House Cultural Center at 630 Washington St. The center, located in the restored Curtis-Starks Funeral Home, is a repository of artifacts and photos telling the history of black Abilenians.

Rev. Andrew Penns in his study at Valley View Missionary Baptist Church