Wayne Traylor, director of missions for Bibb Association since 1986, resigned his position March 28 for medical reasons.
Traylor, who was concerned that he may not be able to meet work load demands, is fighting a battle against the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that was diagnosed March 2001.
“I am still dealing with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” Traylor said. “And even though the doctor has stated that I am in remission, it doesn’t mean I am completely cleared of it. Being in guarded condition means my health status could go either way — improving or starting to decline.”
It was February of last year when he became very ill and pain in the abdomen area forced him to visit his doctor. Physicians suspected cancer, with their diagnosis confirmed a month later when they cut a sore spot from Traylor’s head.
The news was even worse in April, when he met with a specialist who diagnosed Traylor with Stage 4A, the more aggressive, faster moving lymphoma.
Traylor offered to step down when he learned of his illness last year, but area churches said they didn’t even want to consider that option. Pastors voted to keep Traylor as long as he could continue to serve.
“During this past year, despite my doctors’ recommendations and while undergoing an extremely intensive chemotherapy and treatment regimen, I continued to carry a normal workload in the association. As a result of not resting, my body was not rebuilding as much as needed.”
Traylor’s wife, Sue, has also resigned her associational secretary position that she held for 13 years.
“During the past year, in addition to her work in the association, she has been an outstanding encourager and helper during the rough days of chemotherapy,” Traylor said. “Now she will still continue to do so during the time it takes to recover.”
Recently, some changes took place in the association that necessitated Traylor’s retirement.
“It came to the point where I had to decide to continue to serve as the association’s missionary or follow my doctors’ recommendations regarding my health,” he said. “As much as I enjoyed being in the center of God’s calling for me to be a missionary in Bibb Association, after much prayer for God’s guidance in this situation, it became apparent that it was time to consider my health so I could be around for my family as long as possible.”
Traylor said he will concentrate on following his doctors’ recommendations and take time to “admire God and His creations.”
He is also considering the possibility of starting a limited amount of pulpit supply, revivals and teaching toward the beginning of fall if his health allows it.
“Also, I plan on building an even closer relationship with my wife, our children and our grandchildren.”
But leaving has not been easy. “Of course resigning leaves a bag of mixed emotions,” he said. “For all those in Bibb County, across the state and around the world who allowed me to minister to and with them, I will remember them and thank God for every opportunity and privilege He provided.”
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