In May 2024, Mount Olive Baptist in Pittsview faced a tragedy — the church building they’d met in since the 1860s burned to the ground after a lightning strike. But this summer, volunteer teams are helping them start to rebuild.
“We want to be a resource to others,” said Tim Mathis, senior pastor of FBC Selma. “Where we lacked experience, we now have a little experience. If we could help someone at square one, we’re happy to do that.”
PASCO — which stands for Physical And Spiritual Christian Outreach — serves as long-term support for people coming out of rehab or prison to help them get a strong foundation for re-entering normal life.
“We’ve got a lot of success stories, and I know it’s nothing but God’s grace,” said Gary Crum, director of Ellwood Christian Academy.
“To be in a group of ministry leaders in the same season has been very encouraging to me because it reassures me I’m not on an island,” said Tucker Bryson, youth minister of First Baptist Church Centre.
Bryan Blass, director of the office of LeaderCare at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said 60 to 70 percent of Alabama Baptist churches are led by bivocational pastors.
Gerald Burns said — as he always has — that if someone else were to take over, he would step aside and let them. But for now, “as long as I’m able, I don’t mind doing it,” he said.
Starting in late May, about 90 college students are headed to 10 states and 17 countries as part of One Mission Students, Alabama Baptists’ collegiate summer missions program.
