Bivocational ministers from across Alabama gathered Feb. 21-22 at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega for their annual retreat.
Known officially as the Alabama Baptist Fellowship of Bivocational Ministers, some 81 bivocational pastors and spouses were challenged and encouraged in their roles.
Ray Armstrong, outgoing president of the Fellowship and pastor of Old Town Baptist Church in Conecuh Association, delivered the Friday night message. Workshops during the weekend were led by Edwin Jenkins, director of the office of leadership/church growth for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), and his wife, Joan.
Special music was provided by “Compassion,” a trio comprised of Mide and Mona Clark, pastor and wife of Mable Hill Baptist Church, Ardmore, and Don Hillis, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Toney.
Hillis also was elected president of the fellowship for the 2003-2004 year during the business session Saturday morning.
Other officers elected were; Cam Forster, pastor of New Providence Baptist Church, Paul, vice president; and David Reed, pastor of Underwood Baptist Church, Montevallo, secretary.
The ministers also discussed how to attract more bivocational pastors from the state to the annual event. There are currently 1,663 bivocational ministers leading Alabama Baptist churches, according to the SBOM. That is 52 percent of the 3,198 churches affiliated with the state convention.
For more information about the Alabama Baptist Fellowship of Bivocational Ministers, contact Lee Wright in the SBOM’s office of LeaderCare/church administration. One of Wright’s main areas of responsibility is to work closely with the fellowship to assist in meeting the needs of those involved in bivocational ministry.
(TAB)
Share with others: