Hayes wants ‘more of the same’ at FBC Cullman

It could have been a pastor’s worst nightmare: A worship service is just under way when it’s interrupted by a lay leader declaring that someone else will be preaching today. But it wasn’t a nightmare; it was a big surprise for Edwin Hayes, pastor of First Baptist Church, Cullman.
   
Celebrating his 20th anniversary as pastor last fall, Hayes enjoyed a celebration the church had kept top secret for many months.
   
Hayes laughed as he recalled his shock, “I would have been stupid to believe they weren’t going to do something for my anniversary, but they totally caught me off guard.”
   
Hayes’ wife, Martha, was in on the secret and admitted it was a hard one to keep. Planners contacted her a year earlier, and she began collecting pictures for the video presentation highlighting Hayes’ life and tenure at First, Cullman.
   
“When he wasn’t home, I’d go through pictures and gather addresses of old friends they wanted to invite to the celebration. It really wasn’t easy,” said Martha Hayes.
   
A planning committee of seven, led by Keith Moore, chairman of deacons, met to decide how the church would honor Hayes. Moore was a member when Hayes was called as pastor in November 1983 and was thrilled that they were able to surprise Hayes. Moore described his pastor as “a documentation of how we all should live.”
   
The committee updated the church on plans by mail-outs and by speaking to the congregation when Hayes was out of town. According to Moore, practically everyone in the church but Hayes knew the plans.
   
The anniversary celebration was held in both morning worship services and included lunch.
   
Hayes’ lifelong friend and Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association Director of Missions James Warren preached.
   
Hayes was recognized with proclamations and plaques from the mayor of Cullman, the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, the West Cullman Baptist Association and others. Extended family members from as far away as New Mexico came to the celebration. The church honored Hayes and his wife with a vacation package and other commemorative gifts.
   
Hayes grew up in Oneonta and publicly accepted his ministry call when he was 17 at First Baptist Church, Oneonta. He met Martha when he was asked to speak at her church, Duck Springs Baptist Church in Attalla.
   
Hayes holds degrees from Samford University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) in Fort Worth, Texas, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
   
Martha Hayes also holds degrees from Samford and SWBTS. She is currently a Sunday School curriculum writer for LifeWay Christian Resources.
   
The 20 years at First, Cullman, hold many highlights for Edwin and Martha Hayes, but the things that mean the most to them offer much promise for the future as well.
   
Martha Hayes said, “We thought God was calling us to missions, but those doors closed.”
   
They agree God has reopened those doors as members of First, Cullman, have developed their missions efforts through trips to Taiwan, Vietnam, Venezuela, China and Cuba as well as local missions work.
   
Hayes also considers the church’s participation in FAITH a highlight of the past and part of their vision for the future. One of the early participants in FAITH, First, Cullman, has completed 10 semesters and averages more than 50 adult participants. 
   
As he looks to the future as pastor of First, Cullman, Hayes hopes for “more of the same.”