Well, Alabama Baptists, oftentimes when you’re watching a news program, they’ll say breaking news. Well, we have a bit of breaking news here of utmost importance. Just recently, very recently, Dr. Derek Allen was elected by the State Board of Missions to serve in the Executive Director-Elect position to assume the official title in January 31 at the completion of my retirement. Dr. Allen and I will be working alongside each other to help in his preparation to assume those duties.
In the meantime, what I’d like for you to do as you think about Dr. Allen, who’s been the pastor of First Baptist Tillman’s Corner for now about eight years, been a church planter. We would like you to do three things: pray for him because he and his family need it. They’re moving to a new city, a new area. He and Lindsay have five children. One of them is in college, four still at home. So pray for him and his family.
Also, be patient with him because there’s a lot to adjust to in a new venue of ministry such as this. Anything you do beyond the local church and being a pastor is quite different. And that transition I remember vividly back in my time in 1998.
And then third, participate with him. Get involved even more so in Baptist life. The more we’re involved, the more we get in there and do the hard work, the greater our mission is amplified. And in the days to come, the Great Commission Ministries of Alabama Baptist will be heightened to do in greater ways because of the leadership of Dr. Allen.
Now, let me say one more time. Remember, Alabama Baptists. We have one mission, the Great Commission. We have one program, the Cooperative Program. We have many ministries, Great Commission Ministries. You’re going to have a new leader; pray for him. Be patient with him and participate in Great Commission Ministries.
