The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions Executive Committee members and trustees adopted retirement resolutions honoring Bobby DuBois and Barry Bledsoe during a virtual meeting on Nov. 16. Read the full text of the resolutions below.

Resolution of Appreciation for W. Robert “Bobby” DuBois

WHEREAS, W. Robert “Bobby” DuBois began employment at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) on October 1, 1990, as Associate in Stewardship Development & Cooperative Program Promotion; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DuBois has served the SBOM faithfully in subsequent positions, including Assistant to the Director of Business Management, Director of Annuity & Insurance, Director of Business Management, Associate to the Executive Secretary, Director of Support Services and – since the year 2000 – as Associate Executive Director and State Missionary; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DuBois retired from full-time service on January 31, 2019, and continued service as Associate Executive Director and part-time State Missionary; and

WHEREAS, While serving as Associate Executive Director his leadership responsibilities and supervision have included financial services, human resources, facility services, and communications and technology services; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DuBois has assisted Executive Director Dr. Rick Lance in numerous ways including as chief operations officer and chief financial officer; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DuBois served relentlessly and faithfully as an advocate and proponent of missions giving through the Cooperative Program; and

WHEREAS, On December 31, 2020, he will retire from the SBOM staff and begin serving in the role of consultant to Dr. Lance; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DuBois has served as pastor of three Alabama Baptist churches: Forest Park Baptist Church, Montgomery; Greensboro Baptist Church, Hale County; and Ford City Baptist Church, Sheffield; and

WHEREAS, He has served as interim pastor of numerous churches during the past three decades; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DuBois’s wife, Connie Regopoulos, has served alongside him as a supportive, encouraging and dedicated partner in ministry; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the trustees of the State Board of Missions of the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting online, November 16, 2020, express our gratitude to God for the faithful service of Bobby DuBois as a state missionary for more than 30 years; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we covenant to pray for Bobby and Connie DuBois following his retirement from service on the SBOM staff, in his new role as consultant and in any other areas of ministry that he may undertake under the leadership of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Resolution of Appreciation for Barry Bledsoe

WHEREAS, In 2001, Barry Bledsoe, Esq., was selected to serve as the President of The Baptist Foundation of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, April 2021 marks the completion of 20 years of leadership and service to The Foundation; and

WHEREAS, His commitment to Jesus Christ, The Foundation and Alabama Baptists has been clearly demonstrated far beyond the borders of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, We recognize the call of God on his life and his unique gifting, love of people, and passion for sharing a compelling message of Kingdom giving and estate stewardship for estate planning for special needs; and

WHEREAS, Under his God-gifted leadership, The Foundation has grown from $132 million to almost

$260 million in Kingdom assets under management; and

WHEREAS, Under his God-gifted leadership, The Foundation’s annual distributions to support Kingdom causes have more than doubled from approximately $7 million to more than $15 million; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure, he created an estate stewardship ministry to equip churches to provide Biblically based estate planning for their members; and

WHEREAS, As a result of this Christ-honoring ministry, more than 1,018 families completed planning to date, putting in place over $295 million of future gifts for ministry work; and

WHEREAS, He has had a faithful partner in his wife, Judy, who has supported him in every endeavor with dedication and involvement in Foundation life, along with their children, Chris, Dennis and Rodney, and eight grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, He remains unwavering in his commitment to Christ, The Baptist Foundation of Alabama, Alabama Baptists and Christians around the world; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That we call upon all Alabama Baptists to pray for God’s continued blessings and guidance upon Barry and Judy Bledsoe and the ministry of The Baptist Foundation of Alabama; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That the trustees of the State Board of Missions of the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting online, November 16, 2020, affirm their appreciation for Barry Bledsoe as he begins his retirement and express appreciation to God for Mr. Bledsoe, the sacrifices he has made, and the ministry he has provided to Alabama Baptists, Southern Baptists and beyond, in service to our Lord.