Larry Riddle has been in ministry 47 years, but he says the last 10 years spent as associational mission strategist (AMS) for Cleburne Baptist Association have been some of the best years of his ministry life.
“It’s been wonderful for me, and I hope it’s been as meaningful for the folks and the churches,” said Riddle, who will retire Dec. 31.
Riddle has served with a heart for missions and people and “has been a blessing to the people of Cleburne County and beyond,” said Vickey Weathers, administrative assistant for the association.
Riddle began his pastoral ministry at Delta Baptist Church, in Carey Baptist Association. He went on to serve as pastor of several churches in Calhoun Baptist Association, including New Haven Baptist Church, Anniston, where he served from 1982 to 1990 and again from 1996 to 2008.
All the while he served in missions all over the world, including in Korea, Philippines, Nicaragua, Honduras, Tanzania and Mexico. He has preached revivals, built churches and supported pastors in their work. In Cleburne Association he has assisted with two church plants and seen churches grow in missions giving under his leadership.
“That’s not because of me,” he said. “The Lord was just at work and did some great things.”
Riddle and his wife, Donna, plan to do a little traveling, but he said he looks forward to doing supply work and spending time with his family, which includes three children and eight grandchildren.
“I don’t know how many years it’s been since I’ve had a Sunday off, but I don’t want to quit.” (Carrie Brown McWhorter)
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