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Alexandria pastor retires after 35 years

Garry Ragsdale has retired from Mount Zion Baptist Church, Alexandria, where he served as senior pastor for 35 years.
  • April 4, 2024
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • Alabama News, Church/Association News
Garry Ragsdale retired from Mount Zion Baptist Church, Alexandria, where he served as senior pastor for 35 years.
Photo courtesy of Garry Ragsdale

Alexandria pastor retires after 35 years

Garry Ragsdale has retired from Mount Zion Baptist Church, Alexandria, where he served as senior pastor for 35 years.

He holds a bachelor of arts degree in biblical studies from Luther Rice College, Lithonia, Georgia; and a master of ministry degree and a doctor of ministry degree from Covington Theological Seminary, Ringgold, Georgia. He previously served as student minister at Greenbrier Road Baptist Church, Anniston; Eastaboga Baptist Church, First Baptist Church DeArmanville (now Parker Memorial DeArmanville Campus), Anniston; and Mount Zion Baptist.

While serving as pastor of Mount Zion, the church grew from 60 to 600; built a worship center, a student space, an education building and a Christian Life Center; and made the top 50 churches in baptisms in the state every year. In honor of Ragsdale’s retirement, many pastors who were raised up and called to ministry at Mount Zion returned for his final Sunday. They honored him during the service and at a reception afterwards.

Ragsdale and his wife, Debbie, have two children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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