Joseph “Joe” Godfrey, Birmingham-area pastor and past president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, will succeed Dan Ireland as head of Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP).
Godfrey, pastor of First Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, in Birmingham Baptist Association (BBA), will serve as assistant to the executive director for 14 months until he transitions into the executive director position in June 2008.
Ireland, ALCAP’s executive director for the past 29 years, plans to retire May 31, 2008.
“Everyone’s excited about Joe,” Ireland said. “He is very committed to the overall purpose and program of ALCAP. He has an outgoing attitude about things that will continue the spirit of ALCAP.”
Godfrey, who was selected from an original list of about 15 recommended candidates, was elected unanimously by the ALCAP board of directors March 20. He begins his new position April 9.
“I’m very honored that the ALCAP board has put this trust in me,” Godfrey said. “I had an overwhelming sense that God was calling me to this.”
Mike McLemore, chairman of the board for ALCAP and BBA director of missions, said, “We’re excited Joe’s coming on board. He will be a great asset to ALCAP.
“He has the background as past president of the convention, the leadership skills and the people skills to work alongside Dr. Ireland and then take the helm.”
Godfrey will shadow Ireland as he learns the role of executive director, especially in the area of monitoring state legislation.
“He will hit the ground running,” Ireland said, noting this year’s legislative session is already in full swing. “I’m monitoring 68 pieces of legislation already. Joe will help me right away with the legislative process.”
Ireland also has Godfrey set to develop ALCAP’s technological and communication side, specifically by launching a Web site and enhancing its e-mail communication possibilities.
“Joe will be able to expand what we are already doing and update it to the point that it will be even better,” Ireland said.
Godfrey said he is ready for the challenge and looks forward to learning from Ireland. “I am looking forward to building on the foundation he has laid.
“I hope to become like Dan is now, a pastor to the state Legislature,” Godfrey said. “I want to continue the relationships he has ministering to the legislators and their families, standing for moral causes and preaching in pulpits across the state. I feel like my pastorate now will be the state of Alabama.”
Before coming to the pastorate of First, Pleasant Grove, in June 2003, Godfrey served as pastor of Taylor Road Baptist Church, Montgomery, in Montgomery Baptist Association for 19 years. He also served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Abbeville, in Judson Baptist Association for almost four years.
Godfrey holds a doctor of ministry degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tenn., and an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Judson College in Marion. He holds a master of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and an undergraduate degree from Samford University in Birmingham.
He and his wife, Joy, have two daughters and two grandchildren.
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