He preached on Jonah—then saw himself

By Sharon Mager

MARYDEL, Del. — Most mornings, Jay Comeaux is sorting mail for carriers before the sun is fully up. By afternoon, he’s working the register at the post office, often thinking through sermons along the way.

Comeaux serves as pastor of Community Baptist Mission Church in Marydel, a small congregation he has been leading for nearly two years. He also helps care for his mother, who is recovering from a stroke and a fall that left her with a broken hip. It’s a lot to balance.

He didn’t really intend to become a pastor. In fact, he says he spent years running from the call, though he acknowledges he was being prepared for years.

“I was being a Jonah,” he said with a chuckle. “I was very reluctant … dragging my feet and not doing what the Lord was calling me to do.”

He grew up in the church, which his family helped start, under the leadership of longtime pastor Walter Smith, who served for 20 years before he died in 2024. Comeaux said Smith had been slowly preparing him for ministry.

“Pastor Walt said he could see from when I was a teenager that the Lord was calling me to preach. He said he could see a lot of himself in me.”

Comeaux said Smith’s wife, Pat, often joked that the two were so alike she couldn’t tell who would come out if they were “shaken up in a bag.” Comeaux said Smith had been mentoring him in practical ways — having him help with projects around his house, gently encouraging him, sharing Scripture, and teaching him theology along the way.

Even so, though he occasionally preached, Comeaux hesitated to step into the role of pastor.

It wasn’t until after preaching a sermon on Jonah’s disobedience that he knew that he, too, was resisting God’s call.

The congregation had been urging him to step forward.

“I kept telling them I wasn’t ready,” he said. “But it became clear the Lord’s hand was in it.” So he said yes to God.

In early 2024, Comeaux began preaching regularly. The church licensed him and called him to serve as pastor just days later.

Now, Comeaux is leading a congregation largely composed of middle-aged and older members, and that’s okay, he says. They love him and share wisdom and encouragement as he walks alongside them through times of joy, sickness and grief.

Seeking support to move forward, Comeaux reached out to the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) for assistance. He met with BCM/D leaders, including Associate Executive Director Mark Dooley, Church Strengthening Director Jeremy Dickson, and Director of Formation and Help Dan Hyun, who encouraged him and connected him with a variety of resources.

Dooley recommended that Comeaux pursue a certificate of theology through Metro Baltimore Seminary. He began classes in August while continuing to work full-time and serve as a pastor.

“I’m juggling a lot right now,” he said, but acknowledged the education is worth the work because it’s making an impact. “The congregation said they can see the difference,” Comeaux said. “Just having some direction has helped.”

Courses in biblical studies, doctrine, and sermon preparation have strengthened his teaching, particularly in helping him provide context for Scripture.

“In preaching, I like to make sure the congregation understands what’s happening in the passage — what the people were going through at that time — and then bring it forward so they can see how it applies to their lives today,” he said.

Comeaux has also been encouraged by mentorship from longtime pastor and former Delaware Baptist Association Director of Missions Jim McBride Sr., a connection that dates back years. McBride served as an interim pastor during a difficult season in Comeaux’s childhood, offering support when his father underwent major heart surgery.

Now, decades later, McBride’s experience and calm support continue to guide him.

“He’s been very helpful,” Comeaux said.

He hopes to see younger people eventually join the church, and BCM/D staff helped him begin putting basic infrastructure and security in place to welcome families as they begin attending.

As he continues to grow in his role, Comeaux is trusting God for the church’s future, and his own, continually striving to be obedient.

Visit our website to see how BCM/D can resource and equip your church to help you make disciples.

The BCM/D has a partnership with Metro Baltimore Seminary, Lancaster Bible College, and The George Liele Leadership Institute. For more information, contact the school. Scholarships are also available. For more information, email Mark Dooley.

Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D content and stories editor.