EMA presents music, education awards, honors Burdeshaw

The Alabama Baptist Education/Music Association (EMA) honored Ray Burdeshaw during its Nov. 13 meeting at First Baptist Church, Birmingham, held in conjunction with the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting. 
   
Burdeshaw is retiring as director of the office of worship leadership and church music for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM).
   
“We will miss you, Ray, even though we know you’re not really retiring,” said Johnny Kilgore, EMA president and minister of music for Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Birmingham, as the crowd gave Burdeshaw a standing ovation.
   
The crowd then welcomed his successor, Keith Hibbs, with a rousing round of applause. Hibbs, an associate in Burdeshaw’s office, had been named incoming director earlier that day at the SBOM meeting.
   
Kilgore then presented Doris Collins, minister to children at First Baptist Church, Montgomery, with the educator of the year award, and an emotional Burdeshaw announced the recipient of the Paul H. Stewart Award for the last time.
   
Honoree Guy Anderson, minister of music at Elkdale Baptist Church, Selma, responded with tears of gratitude and noted deep appreciation for the ministry contribution of his wife. 
   
“I thank my pianist and partner — my wife,” he said.
   
Partnership in ministry turned out to be a theme of the evening — during the banquet, Michael Patilla, assistant professor of music at Mississippi State University in Starkville, entertained guests with the classical guitar as his wife, Carol, accompanied him on piano. The two, who travel together ministering through music, are members of First Baptist Church, Jasper, where she has served as pianist for nearly 20 years.
   
Prior to the banquet, EMA members attended three different breakout sessions, each offered in two different time slots:
   
• Gene Mason, communications minister at The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, taught a session called Cutting Edge Technology for Ministers.
   
• Steve Richardson, a certified public accountant from Tuscaloosa, shared financial and tax-planning tips for ministers.
   
• Linda Connor with Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law discussed legal issues that churches face.
   
At the conclusion of the evening, Kilgore handed over the gavel to his successor, Jerry Henderson, minister of music for First Baptist Church, Vincent. Other officers for the 2006–2007 year include Larry Morrison, minister of education for First Baptist Church, Sylacauga, president-elect; David Henderson, minister of music for First Baptist Church, Florence, vice president; Bill Drummons, minister of education for Southside Baptist Church, secretary; and Jim Simpson, minister of education for Golden Springs Baptist Church, Anniston, treasurer. (TAB)