Pastor Max Perkins came to Las Cruces, NM, with his parents at the age of 12. It was there, years later, he met his wife Darla and they were married at Temple Baptist Church by Pastor Joe Penrod but began to attend TBC regularly under the ministry of Pastor Waudel Maple. Within a few months, both Max and Darla accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. Within a year, they surrendered to full-time ministry and moved their family of 4 children to California for Max to attend Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College. While a student, Bro. Max pastored and preached at 3 nursing home ministries simultaneously and Darla worked at the college as secretary to the Deans of Men and Women, and the Greek and English professors. Over the years, Max earned his Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctorate of Theology. 

After graduation they were encouraged to move to Rialto, CA, and start a new church in that community. From there, the Lord moved them to Laramie, WY, to pastor for 6 yrs. In June 1992, Bro. Max accepted the call to Socorro Baptist Temple, Socorro, NM, where he served faithfully for 10 yrs. 

In 2002, Bro. Max accepted a call to Las Cruces, NM, to become the pastor of Temple Baptist Church, his home church, where he and Darla were both were saved in 1980. He has faithfully served at TBC for 22 yrs., and of that time, 20 yrs and 6 months were as pastor. In April 2022, he began serving as pastor emeritus. 

In addition to full-time pastoring, Max enjoyed farming on their 38-acre farm in Socorro, raising cattle and African Boar Goats. But it was his love for horses, breaking and training them, that gave him a foothold into the cowboy ministry—preaching at fairs, in arenas while on horseback, and demonstrating what it means for God to “guide us with his eye,” and while “in the night seasons,” to trust God to instruct or guide our direction with his reins. He competed in “Ranch Rodeos” while riding in the wild horse races, riding and gathering cattle in Southern NM, but also as far reaching as the Historical Bell Ranch in the northeast corner of NM. There he rode the range on horseback and preached in the country church where folks that live in the area still travel several hours one way to hear God’s Word, share a Sunday lunch with church family, and then make their journey home. He has always used whatever opportunity the Lord has provided to share the Gospel with those he came in contact with. 

After bringing his horses to Las Cruces, Max began riding many, many miles on horseback following the Butterfield Trail. Horses have always been his "instead of golf" game.