Jackson retires from service as Coffee DOM
Joel Jackson retired as director of missions (DOM) for Coffee Association April 30. Jackson had served in that capacity since 1993.
A graduate of Florida Baptist Theological College in Graceville, Jackson served as pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, Enterprise; Springfield Baptist Church, Jakin, Ga.; and Grantswood Baptist Church, Birmingham. He has been in full-time ministry for 26 years.
Named Samford University’s DOM of the Year in 1998, Jackson saw his position as “a resource person for all the churches” and to “lead churches to touch people for the Lord Jesus.”
Having served 46 churches in the association, Jackson said he will miss being involved with people.
“You really feel you’re needed,” he said. “It makes you feel good on the inside when you’re needed.
“I’m not leaving the ministry,” Jackson said. “I’m just retiring from this.”
Jackson plans on doing interim work, revivals and pulpit supply. He said he is interested in serving in smaller churches because of the opportunity it offers in working with so many smaller congregations.
He and his wife, Helen, were honored at a reception April 30 at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Enterprise. They will live in Ashville.
(TAB)
Wyatt retiring after 16 years at Covington
An era will come to an end when Neal Wyatt retires as director of missions (DOM) of the Covington Baptist Association (CBA) after 16 years.
Although Wyatt recently announced his plans to retire, no date has been set for his final day on the job.
Commenting on his work, Wyatt said he has worked to make education, training, missions and ministry the key components of CBA. During his tenure, the association has become involved in a variety of ministries.
CBA operates three Christian Service Center thrift stores staffed by volunteers. The centers provide a safe, neutral place for volunteers to minister in the name of Christ. The largest center is in Andalusia and includes a food distribution ministry that supplies nearly 45,000 pounds of food to families each year.
Wyatt was also responsible for the creation of a counseling position in the association’s office. In 1993, guided by a survey of the association’s perceived needs, Wyatt led CBA to contract with The Carpenter’s House, P.C., in Mobile, to provide professional counseling in the association office one day every other week. The counselor joined the associational staff in 1996.
Missions work has also been an integral part of the association’s ministry during Wyatt’s time there. CBA recently completed a partnership with the country of Macedonia, in which funds were provided to have the “Jesus” video translated into the country’s primary language, Macedonian.
The experience with the “Jesus” video overseas prompted Wyatt’s interest in the Jesus Video Project in Alabama in 1997-98. He led the association to collect $40,000 in designated funds above and beyond regular association giving. CBA led the state in preparing for follow-up of the video mailing.
Wyatt’s wife of 45 years, Kittye, is also a vital part of the success of CBA, serving as the association’s administrative assistant. Wyatt has agreed to continue as DOM until a replacement is found. (TAB)
Felkins makes ‘third attempt’ at retirement
Ray Felkins, director of missions (DOM) for Hale Baptist Association for more than 10 years, retired effective Jan. 31.
Felkins, who was honored at a tea Feb. 27 at the association office, said the thing he will miss most is “the fellowship that I have with my people. They’ve always felt like a family (to me), whether I was a pastor or a director of missions. I’ll miss that more than anything.”
A minister for 58 years, Felkins worked in his most recent assignment with his wife, Jeanette, who served as the association’s secretary and clerk.
He served as pastor of Flint Hill Baptist Church, Bessemer; Eastern Valley Baptist Church, Bessemer; First Baptist Church, Cordova; Southside Baptist Church, Talladega; First Baptist Church, Parrish, and Moundville Baptist Church, Moundville. He was also DOM for Bethel Association for more than 10 years.
One thing Felkins made clear: “I have not left the ministry.” Felkins said he is just slowing things down.
Almost 80 years old, Felkins said this is his “third attempt” to retire from ministry. He said he wants to spend more time with his family and do things he has never had time to do.
Mrs. Felkins noted her husband will have more time to spend pampering their flower garden, a trait she said he does well.
The Felkinses plan to live in Tuscaloosa, where he will do supply work for area churches and serve as interim DOM for Hale Association. (TAB)
Wicks retires after nearly 40 years of service
Harold Wicks has retired after almost 40 years in ministry, the last 17 as director of missions for the Salem-Troy Association.
A graduate of Howard College (now Samford University), Wicks served at churches in Louisiana before he and his wife, Rebecca, were appointed missionaries by the then-Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board).
They served in Nigeria 14 years, where he taught at the Baptist seminary. Wicks also did supply work in churches in the Huntsville area.
Wicks, who retired Dec. 31, said, “The most encouraging thing (about ministry) is to see people become Christians and grow in their faith. And then they mature in the faith and share with other people.”
The association gave Mrs. Wicks luggage and Wicks money for a return trip to Nigeria in appreciation of their years of service.
Wicks said he still has strong ties in Nigeria, both with missionaries and with natives.
The Wickses had planned to return in April to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Baptist work in that country. Instead, they postponed their trip to plan a short-term missions trip. They will be staying in Nigeria for about three months.
Wicks plans to work in his garden and is interested in both writing biographies and doing genealogical studies. He is also available for supply and interim work.
The Wickses have three children and one grandchild. (TAB)
Dutton named new DOM for Lookout Mountain
Wendell Dutton, former pastor of Vernon Baptist Church, DeKalb Association, is the new director of missions (DOM) for Lookout Mountain Association. Bivocational, Dutton also works for Builders’ Supply Company in Fort Payne.
Dutton said he is most excited about the opportunity to see renewal in churches throughout the association.
He said even though Lookout Mountain is a small association made up of small churches, there are people out there needing Christ. “It’s God’s plan for us to reach those people,” Dutton said.
Describing many churches across the state, he noted there is a “pressing need for discipleship.”
Dutton hopes to enhance discipleship training while plugging more people into volunteer missions positions.
Dutton replaces John Johnson, a Mission Service Corps (MSC)
volunteer who served for two years. A member of Westwood Baptist Church in Weaver, Johnson resigned because of health problems. He and his wife, Pat, hope to continue MSC work in the future.
Dutton is enrolled at Rainsville Bible Institute, the extension
program of Samford University. He and his wife, Marcille, have four children. (TAB)
Salem-Troy calls Holladay
Bobby Holladay is the new director of missions (DOM) for Salem-Troy Baptist Association. He was serving as pastor of Summerville Baptist Church, Phenix City, before accepting the position as DOM.
A graduate of the University of Mobile and New Orleans Seminary, Holladay has served as director of stewardship and moderator of Russell Association. He has also served on the time/place/preacher committee of the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
Holladay has been pastor of four other churches — Indian Lake Baptist Church, Northport; Robinsonville Baptist Church, Atmore; Presley Street Baptist Church, Atmore; and White Pond Baptist Church, Prattville.
Holladay said his pastorates have prepared him a great deal for associational missions work. He said he has a “love for pastors and their wives” and is looking forward to being “able to support their work.”
He and his wife, Jeanette, have two daughters. (TAB)
Retired DOM Bynum dies at 82
Retired director of missions Walker Bynum died April 10. He was 82.
Bynum served as pastor of Bellview Baptist Church, Decatur; Capshaw Baptist Church; Madison Baptist Church (now First, Madison); Shanghi Baptist Church, Athens; Summitt Baptist Church, Decatur; Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Decatur; Shady Grove Baptist Church, Hartselle; Enon Baptist Church, Moulton; Bethel Baptist Church, Hartselle; and Good Hope Baptist Church, Eclectic.
During his early years of ministry, Bynum also served as a school principal, coach and bus driver.
Bynum also did associational missions work in Limestone, Tuskegee Lee and Coosa River associations.
He received numerous awards for his work including the 1962 Alabama Rural Minister of the Year and Director of Missions Emeritus for Coosa River Association (CRA). The CRA guest apartment was named in honor of him and his wife, Permeillia.
In addition to his wife, Bynum is survived by three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. (TAB)
Former Coffee DOM dies at 78
Retired director of missions (DOM) James Frederick Kelley Sr. died April 17 in a Dothan hospital. He was 78.
Kelley was DOM for Coffee Association from 1979 until his retirement in 1987.
A native of Geneva County, Kelley graduated from Howard College (now Samford University). He taught at Newville High School.
Kelley was pastor of Union Springs Baptist, Newville Baptist, Fellowship Baptist and Mt. Pisgah Baptist, all in Newville; Concord Baptist, Headland; Lawrenceville Baptist and Old Zion Baptist, Abbeville; Webb Baptist, Webb; County Line Baptist, Enterprise; and Enterprise Baptist and First Baptist, Ashford.
Kelley was also a member of the Alabama Baptist executive committee. After his retirement, he served as interim pastor in 10 churches.
Kelley is survived by his wife, Ruby, six children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
(TAB)
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