Daniel Atkins told those present at the Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference on Monday, Nov. 14, that Charles T. Carter needed no introduction — not to anyone really, but especially not to those at the conference’s host church, Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham.
Carter served as pastor there for 26 years before he retired in 1998, and he mentored pastors during those years and in the years since, said Atkins, pastor of Taylor Road Baptist Church in Montgomery and incoming conference president. On behalf of the pastors conference, Atkins presented Carter with the second annual Fred Wolfe Lifetime Pastoral Ministry Award, named in honor of the longtime Alabama Baptist pastor and SBC leader who died in 2021.
“Dr. Carter has made a tremendous impact for many generations as he is certainly one of the greatest pastors to pastors in our state,” Atkins said.
“The many meals, phone calls and meetings of encouragement and mentoring have shaped young pastors for many years,” he added. “His positive spirit and encouraging nature have led to a lifetime of incredible influence in the area of pastoral ministry.”
‘Honored and gratified’
Last year, the award was given to beloved Alabama Baptist evangelist Junior Hill. Carter said knowing Hill as he does and Wolfe as he did, he was “especially honored and gratified to be a recipient of this very special award.”
The honor capped off a day of pastors encouraging pastors to stay the course and cling to their relationship with Christ as they persevere in ministry.
Evening message
Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, preached the final message of the day, encouraging pastors from Psalm 34:19. He noted that even though the afflictions of the righteous are many, God has promised that deliverance is coming.
“Trouble, trials and tribulations are part of the Christian life,” Luter said.
“Fears, frustration and foes will happen somewhere along the Christian journey,” he added. “… Setbacks, sickness, storms and suffering will come your way. No one is exempt.”
All of that is “the other side” of Christian ministry, the opposite of the moments where pastors joyfully celebrate souls coming to faith in Christ, he said. “Every child of God will at some point in their ministry face the other side of ministry. So how do we cope? How do we deal with it?”
He challenged them to remember the promises of God that are written “in the script” of their life by the Word of God — that God is their light and salvation, that they will renew their strength if they wait on the Lord and many more.
“Your affliction is just for a specific season and a specific reason,” Luter said. “Remember, it’s only a test. It’s the other side of ministry. This too shall pass.”
God’s handiwork
Robert Mullins, 2022 Pastors Conference president and pastor of Crossroads Community Church in Elmore, wrapped up the night by unveiling a reproduction of the Mona Lisa on stage and reminding pastors that they are God’s masterpiece.
Mullins, an artist himself, explained that as changes happen to a painting through the process, it comes to life.
“Sometimes God allows things to happen to us and we see changes and don’t understand why they happen. We might even question God, but looking back we see that every little change, every little step was planned,” Mullins said. “Each one of you is God’s masterpiece.”
Also during the day, Pastors Conference officers for next year were announced — Atkins as president; Matt Haines, pastor of Central Park Baptist Church in Decatur, as president-elect; Chad Hess, pastor of Woodmont Baptist Church in Florence, as vice president; and Richard Richie, pastor of Blue Springs Baptist Church in Somerville, as secretary treasurer.
Also during the evening, Michael Adler, worship pastor at Shades Mountain Baptist; Ricky Kennedy, associate pastor of worship at Crossroads; and the Shades Mountain Worship Team provided special music.
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