Gene Paul Caldwell (born December 26, 1977) is the patriarch of the Caldwell family.
He is the husband of Christina Caldwell and the father of their eight children, Kendra, Lauren, Micah, Nathan, Timothy, Olivia, Jesiah, and Isaiah.
Early life
Gene Paul Caldwell was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 26, 1977 to Marion and Peggy Caldwell.
Nothing else is known about his childhood.
Personal life
Marriage
Paul married Christina Hamrick on January 17, 1998.
Fatherhood
The couple has eight children.
Their first child, daughter Kendra Renee was born on August 11, 1998. She is married to Joseph Duggar. They have three children, Garrett David, who was born on June 8, 2018, Addison Renee, who was born on November 2, 2019, and Brooklyn Praise, who was born on February 19, 2021.
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, Nathan Paul was born on March 5, 2007.
Their fifth child, son Timothy was born on May 6, 2009.
Their sixth child, daughter Olivia Grace was born in either 2010 or 2011.
Their seventh child, son Jesiah Matthew was born on January 27, 2015.
Their eighth child, son Isaiah Gabriel was born on November 19, 2018.
They are expecting their ninth child, a daughter, in May 2021.
Career
Pastor
Paul previously attended 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
An episode of the TLC show Counting On showed Paul working as a mechanic. The extent of his mechanic work is unknown.
Politics
Paul was a candidate in the Republican primary for Arkansas state representative from district 60 in 2014. He lost to Jana Della Rosa by 378 votes on May 20, 2014.
Television
Paul is frequently featured on the TLC show Counting On as the father-in-law of Joseph Duggar and pastor of the Duggar family.
Scandals
In June of 2015, Fox 24 Northwest Arkansas News reported on controversy surrounding anti-LGBT 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 Caldwell made a statement saying that they were only trying to spread love, but locals who were interviewed did not interpret it that way.