There was a time, in early 2000, when Gil McKee wondered why God was calling him to First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa.
For three years (1997–2000), he’d been the senior pastor of Highland Baptist in Florence, and life couldn’t have been better.
Then in early April 2000 came the call to Tuscaloosa, and after 25 years (2000–2025) as FBC’s senior pastor, McKee, 65, retired Jan. 19 after four decades in the ministry.
“There were times early on when I wondered why God brought me to Tuscaloosa after being at Highland only three years,” McKee said. “But I’m so grateful He did. It’s been the most rewarding, fulfilling pastorate of my life. It’s my Ephesus — it’s where God chose to put us and leave us the longest.”
McKee’s ministry journey
McKee, who learned the ways of pastoring and preaching under the tutelage of his father — longtime Southern Baptist pastor Garland McKee — earned his ministry spurs at Hardin-Simmons University (B.M., 1982), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1985), and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (D. Min., 1997). During his 40-year ministry, he served five churches as senior pastor — Bluegrove Baptist in Bluegrove, Texas; Wooster Baptist in Baytown, Texas; First Baptist Church West Plains, Missouri; Highland Baptist in Florence; and FBC Tuscaloosa.
“We loved our time at Highland,” McKee said, referring to his wife, Sharon, and children, Jason and Holly. “Looking back, our three years there prepared us for what was to come at First Baptist Tuscaloosa.”
What “was to come” at FBC Tuscaloosa during his 25-year tenure includes a variety of ministry opportunities as well as major building projects.
Not long after he began his time at the church, McKee started a “Men’s Fraternity” ministry that remains active. Also under his leadership, the church hosted Samaritan’s Purse’s relief and recovery efforts for two years following the devastating Tuscaloosa tornado of April 27, 2011.
McKee also oversaw two major additions to the campus during his time as pastor — the multipurpose building (which houses a fellowship hall, life group space and a choir suite) in 2004 and the student ministry building in 2008. From 2015 to 2021, several existing facilities also were upgraded and improved, including a sanctuary renovation.
Despite all these large, costly projects, the church is debt-free thanks to its faithful church members, McKee noted.
In 2018, McKee, his staff and numerous volunteers orchestrated FBC Tuscaloosa’s Bicentennial Celebration, celebrating 200 years of church history and its impact on West Alabama. In 2020, after COVID-19 paralyzed the world, McKee wasted no time in continuing church services through live streaming and other technologies. The church also quickly returned to in-person worship services with multiple safeguards and precautions.
Focus on missions
Reaching the world for Christ through domestic and foreign missions trips has been — and will always be — one of FBC Tuscaloosa’s top priorities.
During McKee’s time as pastor, volunteers from the church have participated in missions trips to Guatemala, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Brazil, Thailand, China, Uganda, Kenya and other destinations. Domestic trips have included numerous Builders for Christ projects and trips to, among other destinations, New York City, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Alaska, Colorado, Wyoming, Maine, South Carolina and Florida.
McKee also led FBC Tuscaloosa in 2013 to approve the First Baptist Church Declaration, which addresses the church’s position on the sanctity of human life, marriage and religious liberty. It is based on the 2009 Manhattan Declaration.
The closing words of FBC’s declaration state, “If the time comes that First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa must choose between loyalty to the state versus loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Word, let it be known by all that we will choose loyalty to Jesus Christ and His Word and His Kingdom. As the apostles went on to say in the fifth chapter of Acts: We must obey God rather than men! (Acts 5:29, NIV).”
Plans for the next season
McKee is excited for his upcoming retirement days, where he’ll have an opportunity to travel more, serve as a supply preacher when asked and speak at numerous Man Church conferences.
As he looks back fondly on his 25 years at FBC Tuscaloosa, McKee is just as optimistic about the next quarter-century and beyond. As Drew Chapman takes over the reins as senior pastor, McKee offers great affirmation for Chapman and his future at the church.
“Drew is coming in at the right time and at the right age,” said McKee, referring to Chapman’s age of 42. “He’s going to immediately draw young couples and young families to the church, but at the same time have love and respect for those who’ve been in the church a long time.
“He’s been mentored well through his time in ministry and has tremendous energy and vision. He loves the Lord, he’s humble, he loves people, he’s relatable and he’s approachable.
“I believe that God is going to do some great things through Drew and his ministry at First Baptist Tuscaloosa.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was written for The Alabama Baptist by Tommy Ford, a member of First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa.
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