The Sword & Lamp Press

Justin Odom grew up in Reader, West Virginia and is married to the former Kristina Deagel of Moundsville, West Virginia. They have three children: Ben (Sue Ann) Odom, Jenny (Jake) Schotter, and Hannah (Cody) Todd. Justin and Kristina are the proud grandparents of two granddaughters, Annabeth and Phoebe. Justin is a 1997 graduate of West Virginia School of Preaching and has his master’s degree in biblical studies from Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver. After graduation from WVSOP in 1997, Justin preached for the Pennsville church of Christ in Pennsville, Ohio, then with the Rt. 38 church of Christ in Washington Court House, Ohio. The Odom’s moved to the land of Lincoln in 2006 and worked with the church in Fairfield, Illinois and since December 2020 has been working with the Mount Vernon, Illinois congregation.

Cedrick Goddard was born in 2007 in Wheeling, West Virginia, and raised in Proctor. He is the younger son of Fred Goddard and the late Sue Goddard of Proctor. Cedrick delivered his first sermon at the age of 15 on February 12, 2023, at the Steelton Church of Christ in New Martinsville. He is currently a second-year student at the West Virginia School of Preaching in Moundsville where his father Fred is a 2017 graduate and his older brother Rod is a 2021 graduate. Cedrick will also be going to the Harrisville Church of Christ as their full-time minister after graduation in 2027.

John Ward was born on August 20, 1991, and raised in Weirton, West Virginia. He is a current member of the Weirton Heights church of Christ. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from West Virginia University and a Master of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from Regent University. Throughout his career in public school and higher education, he served as a substitute teacher for Burgettstown Area School District as well as an Academic Advisor and Adjunct Professor of Theatre for Eastern Gateway Community College. He also served as a high school Language Arts/English Composition instructor for the TRIO Upward Bound program at West Virginia Northern Community College.
John was baptized into Christ on July 7, 2013. Since then, he has been active in many areas of his home congregation at Weirton Heights. These include fill-in preaching, teaching adult Bible class, leading worship services (song leader, Scripture reading, opening/closing prayer, Lord’s Supper/Communion comments, etc.), and supporting audio/visual production. He has regularly taught the middle/high school class during Vacation Bible School, preached at Chester church camp, participated in various Bible Bowl competitions, and led devotionals for local nursing homes.
John is a current full-time student at the West Virginia School of Preaching in Moundsville, WV. He will be starting his second and final year of curriculum this fall with the intended prospect of graduation in June 2027. John is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord and is committed to helping congregations grow spiritually through faithful service.