Sylacauga pastor retires after 42 years in the ministry

Tommy Reaves has spent most of his life serving in the ministry, 42 years as a pastor. But on Sept. 26 Reaves will retire from the ministry as he leaves the pastorate of Marble City Baptist Church, Sylacauga.
   
Reaves has served as pastor of five churches — Antioch Baptist Church in Oxford, Mountain View Baptist Church in Alexandria, Angel Grove Baptist Church in Jacksonville and Griffin, Ga.
   
He comes from a preaching family. Many uncles are preachers and his younger brother, Todd Reaves, serves as pastor of Mignon Baptist Church in Sylacauga. Reaves grew up in Anniston and worked in industrial management for 10 years until he entered full-time ministry in 1970. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and did Bible vocational work while in seminary.
   
“We were without a pastor for 18 months before Brother Reaves came and he reorganized our church,” said Dean McConatha, church member and chair of the search committee that brought Reaves to Sylacauga. “He has guided the church through some difficult days.
   
“He encouraged giving and completed renovations of current structures as well as adding new ones,” McConatha said. “We have been able to purchase a projection system and a grand piano during his ministry.”
   
Reaves has seen all the church buildings renovated. The number of members has grown dramatically and giving has doubled during his tenure. Ministries have begun with senior adults and youth.
   
“Overall this has been a very productive ministry for me,” said Reaves. “It has been a wonderful opportunity. I have enjoyed a personal relationship with the people here. It is rewarding to see them grow in their knowledge of the Word and take places of leadership.”
   
The church now has a full-time minister of students, Mark McCarter. “We have more than 50 youth in Bible study each week and have been on several youth retreats,” said McCarter. “It is great to see these young people so eager to serve the Lord.”
   
Reaves said, “I am most satisfied and fulfilled in assisting people in the crisis time of their lives. They reciprocated when I went through the death of my first wife, Judy, several years ago. The church comforted me during that time of loss.”
   
“Pastor Reaves is one of the more spiritual men I have worked with,” said Lynn Knight, minister of music and administration for the past four years. “It is not uncommon to see him in his office down on his knees in prayer. He is supportive and loyal to me as a friend and a minister. Seeing him walk the path of grief and recovery and maintain a positive testimony has meant a lot to me.”
   
There are now four full-time members on the staff of Marble City Baptist Church including Reaves, Knight, McCarter and the day care and kindergarten director, Judy McCall.
   
“The pastoral ministry has been good to me,” said Reaves. “It made me much more than I ever thought I could be. Through it all you’re nothing more than the people can make you become. I am humbled and indebted to them.” Reaves has served Marble City Baptist since 1988. His last official duty will be to take the Marble City senior adults to Gatlinburg in October.
   
He and his wife, Linda, plan to move back to Anniston. They have two married children — Brian and LeighAnn — and seven grandchildren. He also plans to be involved with interim work. Reaves noted his ministry is not over. He’s just going down a different path now. He plans to be there when people need him.