It all began with a promise — a promise Bruce Spivey made in 1984 to then-Pastor Ralph Brannon not to move from Hartford Baptist Church unless God moved him.
Twenty-five years later, Spivey is still keeping his promise.
On July 26, the Geneva Baptist Association church celebrated his 25th anniversary with special music, testimonies and a plaque and honorarium for Spivey, minister of music and adults. There was also a slide show chronicling Spivey’s years at Hartford Baptist, which also include his service as music and youth minister before shifting to adult ministry in 2004. “It was neat to see 25 years pass by in about 10 minutes,” Spivey said.
One of the blessings of serving in one place for a long period of time is to watch people grow up serving God and watch their families increase, he said, recalling one girl in particular. “I was at the hospital when she was born. I officiated her wedding and I was there for the birth of her daughter.”
Spivey, who is also president of Alabama Singing Men, said he has no plans of leaving Hartford Baptist. “If God allows it, [my wife and I] could see us just retiring right here in Hartford. It is a good place to live, and it is such a loving church.”
Pastor Matt Basford said, “Bruce has been a stabilizing factor at our church for a number of years. He is a personal friend and is a blessing to work with.”
Share with others: