After almost 39 years with the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH) — 21 of those as president/chief executive officer — Paul Miller is preparing to retire from the work that has held his heart and mind daily.
“This has been a focal point of my life after serving God and my family,” Miller said, noting that at times, it has been hard to separate where one task ends and the others begin.
Effective Jan. 31, 2012, Miller will close the book on one era of his life to begin a new one filled with volunteer missions and time with his wife of 43 years, Diane, and family, as well as traveling and being more involved in his local church, First Baptist, Pell City.
“I’m not looking for anyone’s rocking chair,” he said with a smile.
Miller first came to ABCH in the summer of 1971 while in graduate school at the University of Alabama.
Those three months helped solidify his call to work at the Children’s Homes, and after graduating with his master’s in social work, he came on as a full-time social worker in June 1972. In 1975, he was named
superintendent of the Mobile campus.
In 1990, Miller was named executive director of ABCH, a title that later changed to president/CEO.
He knew the day would come when it would be time for someone else to provide leadership for the Children’s Homes. And that day is here, after much prayer and thought, Miller said.
“I have a peace that it’s time for someone else to come in and steer the ship,” he said.
It’s the same peace Miller felt when he first came to ABCH.
The search for a new president/CEO will be led by a search committee composed of the current president of the board of trustees and current and former trustees.
“We are trying to find that person God is already preparing to lead this ministry,” said Dr. Merrill Barron, chair of the search committee.
“With prayer, due diligence and a sensitivity to God’s leadership, we will find — not a replacement for Paul but — that person whom God has chosen to lead the next chapter of this ministry that has been serving the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of children and families for 120 years.”
Barron said he feels Miller has been a successful leader because of his servant heart and the fact that he was God’s choice to lead the ministry.
“Paul has worked very hard and has remained faithful and obedient to that calling — always praying, always serving, always seeking God’s will for what was best for the children and families that he served and for those who have worked with him,” Barron said.
The search committee is now actively seeking resumés.
These may be sent via e-mail to CEOSearch@abchome.org or mail to Dr. Merrill Barron, C/O Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, P.O. Box 361767, Birmingham, AL 35236.
For more information, call 1-888-720-8805.
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