There was a time when Buddy Price was a shy fellow. He remembered times when he would cross the street just so he wouldn’t have to talk to someone.
But then he asked Jesus to come into his heart and be his Savior and the Holy Spirit “got hold” of him.
That was about 30 years ago, and “I haven’t been able to shut up since I was called to preach,” he said.
Currently, he is the bivocational pastor of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Bessemer (Mud Creek Association). This is his second time to serve as pastor. The first was from 1994–1997.
Price, manager of First Franklin Financial in Birmingham, has been a bivocational pastor for all of his 30-year ministry.
“I even served as director of missions [of Pleasant Grove Baptist Association in Tuscaloosa County] in a bivocational capacity,” said Price. He also served in Pleasant Grove Association, Mud Creek Association, Tuscaloosa Association and East Cullman Association.
And of course, each pastorate meant balancing church responsibilities, needs of the members of the congregation, family time and a job. Being tugged in different directions, Price admitted, can be stressful.
But it is accomplished “with a lot of prayer, a lot of midnight hours.”
It sometimes requires going to work early or staying late. “You just do what you have to do,” Price said.
It has been stressful as well for his wife, Dianne. Nonetheless, he said, she has been supportive the whole time and “works hand-in-hand with me.”
Price’s commitment made a positive impact on his son, Steve, who is also a bivocational pastor. Not only is Steve the band director at Elkmont High School, but he is also minister of music at Elkton Road Baptist Church.
Price’s own journey to the pulpit began when he was 18 and was going to church with Dianne, who at that time was his girlfriend. It was February 1964, and Price came to understand his need for Jesus Christ.
Price accepted Christ at Little Hurricane Baptist where Dianne’s father, the late Floyd Harris, was the pastor.
As he grew in his Christian faith, Price held different positions in church, such as Sunday School director and deacon at Third Avenue Baptist.
He began to preach and felt he needed to do more for Christ. However, he began to resist the calling. Finally, one night in his back yard, Price committed himself to the ministry, and he was ordained in 1971 at Third Avenue Baptist.
After Harris became ill with cancer, Price began to fill in for him at Little Hurricane Baptist. Later, Price was asked to take over the pastorate.
Harris continued to attend services, but Price said his father-in-law’s presence didn’t make him nervous “because he was my best friend.”
Never a doubt
Price said there hasn’t been a doubt since he surrendered to the call that this was his ministry. “God has opened doors. I’ve never been without a church; God has always provided a place,” he said.
He said he has been fortunate to hold secular jobs that allowed him the flexibility to assist the people of his church when they needed it.
And in all the churches he’s served, he has seen souls saved, membership increase and people in need being helped.
Though he’s been in the ministry for three decades now, the 55-year-old grandfather of two isn’t considering retirement. There may come a time when he is not able to continue, he said. But Price said he won’t choose to quit the ministry.
“It’s not an occupation,” he said. “It’s a calling.”
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