Henry Cox wanted to be a preacher at age 3 — at least that’s what his grandmother says.
He doesn’t remember saying it, but by the time he was 16 he knew it was meant to be.
And now, on Jan. 12, he’s celebrating 60 years of pastoral ministry and retiring for the second time. With him every step of the way has been his wife, Barbara, who has often served as the church secretary.
“I’ve totally enjoyed every minute of these 60 years,” Cox said. “The only word I know to describe it is I’m extremely blessed.”
Through the years he served as pastor of eight churches including Central Baptist, Gardendale; Gilgal Baptist, Duncanville; Trinity Memorial Baptist, Montgomery; First Baptist, Headland; and First Baptist, Bay Minette, which named him pastor emeritus in 2006. After he retired from there, nearby Durant Chapel Baptist Church talked him into coming out of retirement.
“I just didn’t know God had written this beautiful chapter for these senior years of my life,” Cox said.
Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, called Cox a “true Christian statesman” and said he and Barbara are “Alabama Baptist treasures.”
“Throughout all of the years of his ministry Henry has demonstrated a Christlike spirit even when times were tense and turbulent,” Lance said, noting Alabama Baptists have been blessed by his service, including two terms as state convention president. “His God-given sense of discernment is admired by all who know him.” (Grace Thornton)
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