Alabama Baptist ministers and laymen were among those honored during the recent gathering of the Association of Baptists for Scouting (ABS). Baptist scouters from 16 states attended the April meeting at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega.
Southern Baptist State Convention President Frank Page delivered the keynote address for the event’s pastors’ luncheon. He was introduced by Alabama Baptist Convention President and Eagle Scout Roger Willmore, pastor of Deerfoot Baptist Church, Trussville.
Page was awarded an honorary life membership in the ABS for his service to Baptists and his support of the scouting ministry in local Baptist churches.
As part of the three-day event, 30 scouting volunteers were presented with the organization’s highest recognition, the Good Shepherd Cross and Staff.
Among the 30 individuals honored, 12 of them received the Silver Good Shepherd, which denotes a minimum of 50 years of service to children, youth and families through the local Baptist church and Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Exploring and Venturing units.
Alabama Good Shepherd honorees were:
– Gary Fenton, pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Birmingham;
– John Lee Taylor, retired pastor and Birmingham-area scouting volunteer;
– Tim Cooper, scout executive for greater Alabama council in Birmingham;
– Charles G. Wolbach of Birmingham;
– William Stevens of Birmingham;
– Bart Arney of Birmingham;
– Byron White of Birmingham;
– L. Alan Jones of Huntsville;
– Connie Hughes of Mentone;
– Merri Addison of Phenix City;
– Paul Wilson of Moody.
Two Alabama residents received the Silver Good Shepherd for their service of more than 50 years:
– David Gilbreath of Mentone,
– Thomas Eden Jr. of Auburn.
In the organization’s annual business meeting, a newly refined mission statement was adopted: “To bring youth to Christ through a Scouting ministry.”
The association also adopted supportive goals to be accomplished by the 100th anniversary National Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., in July 2010.
Among the goals are having 5,000 scout units chartered to Baptist churches and at least 5,000 God and Country religious emblems being completed by Baptist youth in scouting. (ABS)
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