DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bobby Welch’s 32-year pastorate at First Baptist Church, Daytona Beach, Fla., came to an end Aug. 27, focusing attention on the theme of his ministry — winning people to faith in Jesus Christ.
During a special worship service celebration, Welch, a native of Fort Payne, gave his evangelistic final charge to the congregation and baptized eight people. Welch delivered his sermon in bare feet after co-pastor David Cox had washed his feet in an emotional ceremony in which Cox reciprocated the gesture Welch made in the prior week’s worship service when he washed Cox’s feet, symbolizing the pastoral transition.
The congregation honored Welch by naming him pastor emeritus; announced that the pulpit made of three crosses designed by Welch would be “retired” and put on prominent display in the church; presented family portraits of the entire Welch family and the grandchildren; and gave a love offering contributed by members and friends from across the Southern Baptist Convention.
Video tributes came from John Sullivan, executive director of the Florida Baptist Convention, and Joe Kines, assistant football coach at the University of Alabama and Welch’s college roommate at Jacksonville State University. Alabama Citizens Action Program’s Dan Ireland, who baptized Welch at First Baptist Church, Fort Payne, in the 1970s and served as a mentor in the ministry to Welch, led the closing prayer for the service.
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