A journey. That’s the way Tim Childers, pastor of First Baptist Church, Sylacauga, describes his 27 years in ministry. He will retire from his position at First, Sylacauga, on Dec. 31.
After he accepted Christ at age 27, Childers immediately felt called into some sort of ministry. At the time, he didn’t know exactly how God would use him.
His pastor, Alf Kavli, at Valley View Baptist Church, Leeds, was “instrumental” in helping him understand that what he was feeling was a call from God, he said.
Childers attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and earned his masters in religious education. He went on to serve as a music/youth minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, and an education/youth minister at First Baptist Church, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Childers’ first senior pastorate was at College Heights Baptist Church, Gadsden. He also served almost 11 years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Mableton, Ga., before coming to First, Sylacauga, in 2007.
Childers has served for three years on the board of trustees for Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega. His book, “The Secret Place,” was released in November. It features 31 devotionals from Psalm 91.
Randy Hagan, director of missions for Coosa River Baptist Association, said Childers and his wife, Debbie, will be missed.
“I appreciate Tim’s friendship and his gifts and his teaching abilities,” Hagan said. “He’s done a great work at [First, Sylacauga]. … He and his wife are a great team and have a great ability to make contact with people.”
But Childers’ retirement is only a “semiretirement,” he said. He and his wife will serve full time through their ministry, The Reality Group, reaching churches and associations through Christian conferences.
Childers said it was a blessing to serve churches through the years.
“[It was] the most amazing journey to see God’s hand at work along the way in our lives,” he said.
For more information, visit www.therealitygroup.org.
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