Half a century ago, Jeff Thomas accepted his first pastorate at Bon Air Baptist Church, Sylacauga. He stayed there two years before heading off to school in Florida, starting a ministry journey he never imagined would bring him back to his first church years later.
On Sept. 20, Bon Air Baptist will honor their pastor and his wife, Carolyn, for 50 years in ministry.
When Thomas first accepted the call to be a pastor, he remembers driving to a mountain to spend some time with God.
“I really needed some assurance,” he said. “I said, ‘If You’ll just assure me, I’ll stay in the ministry as long as You’ll let me.’ And God did. That word of encouragement that He gave to me on the mountain got me through the ups and downs of the years.”
Along the way, he’s served churches in Alabama and Georgia, including 10 years at Ridgeview Baptist, Talladega, and 12 years at Hopewell Baptist, Bessemer. He returned to Bon Air Baptist in 2013.
“It’s been a good ministry, and we’ve had a lot of good people to support us along the way,” Thomas said.
Everyone is invited to attend the celebration Sept. 20 during the 11 a.m. worship service, with refreshments to follow.
Share with others: