When John Killian looks around Alabama, he sees a lot of love.
He also sees a lot of discouragement.
“I’ve preached around the state in the last several years, and I sensed a great loving spirit,” said Killian, pastor of Maytown Baptist Church in Bessemer Baptist Association. “But there is so much discouragement — it’s difficult out there. The culture has changed. People don’t believe in absolutes. Evangelism isn’t like it used to be. And people are leaving their churches.”
So Killian, the newly elected president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention (ABSC), said if he could do one thing over the next year it would be to encourage his fellow Alabama Baptist pastors.
“They need to know that they’re important and have a role in things. Even if a pastor is a small-town boy like me, God can use him right where he is,” said Killian, whose church averages about 200 in attendance each Sunday.
He was elected president of the ABSC Nov. 14 after being nominated unopposed.
“John loves pastors, new and seasoned, and I don’t know any man with a broader circle of friends,” said Chris Crain, senior pastor of South Roebuck Baptist Church, Birmingham, who nominated Killian for president. “He loves the people of Maytown Baptist Church, and they love him. He has never run from a challenge, and he’s been a man for the times. He is committed, and he is the best man for the job.”
Being elected state convention president is “humbling,” said Killian, who grew up in the Wylam community of west Birmingham and spent most of his life in Alabama.
He has served as pastor of Maytown Baptist for more than 14 years.
“I look forward to meeting more people. I think we have a great group of pastors around the state, and I’m thankful for the friends I’ve been able to make through the years,” he said. “If I can encourage them in some small way, I wish to do so.”
Before being elected to this position, Killian served as ABSC first vice president from 2010 until 2012 and second vice president from 2008 to 2010. In 2006, he was Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference president.
Killian said if he could see Alabama Baptists rally around one point this year, it would be a “stronger commitment to Scripture and the authority of Scripture,” he said. “We need to have unity around the Word of God and sound doctrine.”
Killian said he believes the strong love Alabama Baptists have for each other and for missions seems to have outweighed the difficult economic times.
“Our drop in Cooperative Program (CP) giving is more based on debt issues and economy issues than anything else,” he said. “I’m hoping we can focus this year on strong CP giving and support in Alabama.”
Also elected during the annual meeting was Travis Coleman, pastor of First Baptist Church, Prattville, as first vice president — without opposition.
“Travis has served directly with our state Baptist convention in too many committees to mention, including the executive committee,” said Rick Marshall, senior pastor of Eastern Hills Baptist Church, Montgomery, who nominated Coleman. “He is not a stranger to us and has served us well in exemplary leadership. He has had 30 years of service in our state and is respected for his commitment and his spirit.”
While the president and first vice president races were uncontested, the race for second vice president had three candidates. This was expected early on until Dusty McLemore, pastor of Lindsay Lane Baptist Church, Athens, removed his name from consideration Nov. 1. This left Lawrence Phipps, senior pastor of Vaughn Forest Baptist Church, Montgomery, and Jim Cooley, pastor of First Baptist Church, Haleyville, as the expected nominees. But a surprise third candidate — Paul Hicks, associate pastor of North Gardendale Baptist Church, Gardendale — was also nominated.
After a vote between the three, Cooley received 149 votes, Phipps 125 and Hicks 99, leaving Cooley and Phipps in a runoff. Cooley defeated Phipps 160 to 141.
“[Cooley’s] spiritual DNA is full of Alabama Baptist life, and he represents Alabama Baptist churches,” said John Nicholson, pastor of Siloam Baptist Church, Marion, who nominated Cooley. “Most of our churches are off the interstate and along the two-lane roads of Alabama. This is where Jim Cooley has chosen to spend his life and ministry.”
Cooley also has a strong commitment to missions, to helping struggling families in the community and to Alabama Baptist work, Nicholson said.
“Jim gave leadership to the unanimous adoption of Future-Focus (see story, page 1) and I believe he will continue that legacy of leadership.”
In other elections, Mary Sue Bennett of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) was re-elected as recording secretary. Bobby DuBois, also of the SBOM, was re-elected to the position of statistical secretary, a role now combined with the position of registration secretary, which was formerly filled by Billy Austin. Austin, president of Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers, announced his retirement during his report Nov. 14 (see story, page 13).
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