She’s My Forever Love
On December 1, 2012 Dr. Keith Ogden and First Lady Patricia A. Ogden renewed their 25th wedding vows at Hill Street Baptist Church in Asheville, NC.
It was love at first sight when Keith A. Ogden and Patricia A. Craig met in the summer of 1985. Both were serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri when Keith saw Patricia for the first time.
“She walked through the barracks with huge rollers in her hair. I said to myself then and there – WOW, I must have her for my girlfriend,” Ogden said with a smile. “I was truly smitten, so I asked her best friend Nikki McGee to introduce us, and I began to pursue her from that day on. I just couldn’t let her get away! Patricia and I dated for a while, and agreed to marry on September 4, 1987 in Waynesville, Missouri. We couldn’t afford anything expensive, so we bought some cheap wedding bands and went to the courthouse!”
During their years together, the Ogdens would often talk about having a real church wedding. Ogden continued, “Patricia has been my rock through the years – I thought it would be appropriate (with all that we’ve been through lately) to give my wife the day she has so much deserved – especially after her putting up with me for 25 years!
Ogden went on to say, “My parents were married for 65 years, and I’ve had nothing but godly examples set by them. Yes, they had their challenges, but my parents didn’t allow petty arguments and selfish desires to come between them. I would tell any couple today to allow God to be a part of your life, relationship, and marriage. There is no perfect marriage … but don’t allow the devil to destroy what God has joined together. Husbands love your wives, and wives love your husbands, and watch God work in both your lives.”
About the Ogdens
Patricia A. Ogden served in the U.S. Army for 11 years, as a Transportation Movement Coordinator at Fort Dix, NJ, Fort Eustis, VA, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and Fort Rucker, AL; she also served two overseas assignments in Nuremberg and Ansbach, Germany. After her service Patricia earned a B.A. degree from Oklahoma City University, OKC, OK, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Christian Counseling. She is employed as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist with the Charles George Veterans Center.
Reverend Dr. Keith A. Ogden is the Senior Pastor of Hill Street Baptist Church in Asheville. He accepted the call to ministry while serving in the Army in 1995, while stationed in Seoul, Korea. Ogden was licensed to preach in 1996 and ordained in 1997 by his childhood pastor, the late Reverend O.F. Lee, of the New Tabernacle Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL.
Reverend Ogden has a BS in Business from Liberty University, and a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. Additionally, two honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees were conferred upon him. Dr. Ogden has preached in Georgetown Guyana, Kingston, Jamaica, and in Naples and Rome, Italy.
Ogden’s first publication, Walking in the Underserved, was released in August, 2009. Currently, he serves on the Executive Board as the Chairman of the Planning & Evaluation Committee, and the Evangelism Board of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. In 1994, he was elevated to the 33rd Degree Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, PHA Southern Jurisdiction, USA. He is a Board Member of ABBCM, and the Pioneering Healthier Communities Commission for the City of Asheville.
The Ogdens have one daughter, Taneshia Nicole Ogden, and two grandchildren, Tayshon Amir and Ka’Liah Alease.
