By Leigh Pritchett
Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist
Pastor Teddye Gandy, 58, of Montgomery, is a graduate of Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and received a diploma and an advance diploma in Biblical Studies from the Ministry Training Institute of Samford University in Birmingham. He is employed by Aptiv, LLC as a customer quality engineer. He serves on the boards of The Alabama Baptist/TAB Media, Montgomery Baptist Association and Community of Hope, which is an Outreach ministry of Montgomery Baptist Association.
Ministry: Co-vocational pastor
Church name: Pike Road Baptist Church in Montgomery Baptist Association
Life verse: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)
Q: Describe where you focus your greatest ministry efforts.
A: Discipleship, evangelism and outreach, Montgomery Baptist Association and member churches and pastors. My heart is really to just reach people with the love of God in our neighborhood, city, county, state and the world.
Q: Who was or is one of the most influential people in your faith life? Why?
A: My mother taught us to trust and follow God. The tangible evidence of her faith and in God’s faithfulness continues to be a foundation of my faith. My wife Juanda has and is a major influence in my faith life. She helps me to see where God is working and where He wants us to cooperate with Him.
Q: Tell about a “turning point” in your life and how God was involved.
A: That’s a long list. The most recent was my call into pastoral ministry almost four years ago and the call to be the pastor of Pike Road Baptist Church over a year ago. Both involved God’s very presence leading me to answer in faith and obedience or deny Him in disobedience and rebellion. I chose (and continue to choose) to answer in faith. It has been a marvelous spiritual journey that has required me to grow and expand my understanding of ministry to the Lord and His people.
Q: What has God been teaching you lately?
A: Keeping Him as my first and only love and not ministry to Him. To keep my relationship with Him first and fresh, not just serving Him. Revelation 2:4.
Q: If there were one thing you could tell your younger self about faith, what would it be?
A: Accept the calling of God early. I saw and heard Him calling to me many times before I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Of course, I came in a crisis.
Q: Have you ever heard a song that changed the way you think about God and faith? What was it and what did you learn?
A: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.” I heard this song when I was 8–9 (years old) and it always made me see God as “more than!” To reverence and praise Him for being the God of all creation.
Share with others: