Gene Paul Caldwell (born May 31, 1977) is the patriarch of the Caldwell Family. He is the husband of Christina Caldwell, with whom he has 9 children and 4 grandchildren.
Marriage[]
On January 17, 1998, Paul married Christina Marie Hamrick in Prince William County, Virginia.
Fatherhood[]
The couple has 9 children.
Their first child, daughter Kendra Renee, was born on August 11, 1998. She is married to Joseph Duggar. Together, they have 4 children. Their first child, son Garrett David, was born on June 8, 2018. Their second child, daughter Addison Renee, was born on November 2, 2019. Their third child, daughter Brooklyn Praise, was born on February 19, 2021. Their fourth child, son Justus, was born in late May 2022 or early June 2022.
Their second child, daughter Lauren Hope, was born on May 22, 2000.
Their third child, son Micah Joel, was born on March 25, 2004.
Their fourth child, son Nathan Paul, was born on March 5, 2007.
Their fifth child, son Timothy, was born on April 27, 2009.
Their sixth child, daughter Olivia Grace, was born in late June 2010 or early July 2010.
Their seventh child, son Jesiah Mathew, was born on January 27, 2015.
Their eighth child, son Isaiah Gabriel, was born on November 19, 2018.
Their ninth child, daughter Moriah Faith, was born on May 17, 2021.
Career[]
Pastor[]
Paul previously pastored at Heritage Baptist Church in Woodbridge, Virginia, where he became interested in planting a church. In 2008, he was sent by Baptist International Missions, Inc. in partnership with Heritage Baptist Church to plant a church in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He has been the Pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church since then.
Mechanic[]
Episodes of the TLC show Counting On showed Paul working as a mechanic in Arkansas. The extent of his mechanic work is unknown.
Politics[]
In 2014, Paul was a candidate in the Republican primary for Arkansas State Representative from District 60. He lost to Jana Della Rosa by 378 votes on May 20, 2014.
Television[]
Paul appeared on the TLC show Counting On as the father-in-law of Joseph Duggar and the Pastor of the Duggar Family.
Scandal[]
In June 2015, FOX 24 Northwest Arkansas News reported on controversy surrounding anti-LGBTQ pamphlets that were being passed out by Lighthouse Baptist Church. The pamphlet denied the existence of homosexuals, saying that their lack of existence made the question "Does God love homosexuals?" "flawed". Paul made a statement saying that they were only trying to spread love, but locals who were interviewed did not interpret it that way.
Wedding involvement[]
Paul was the officiant at his family friend Joy-Anna Duggar's wedding to Austin Forsyth on May 26, 2017.
He was the officiant at his daughter Kendra's wedding to Joseph Duggar on September 8, 2017.