MacLaren, former CP/stewardship director for SBOM, dies at 79

MacLaren, former CP/stewardship director for SBOM, dies at 79

John MacLaren, longtime pastor and former director of the office of Cooperative Program/stewardship development for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), died Sept. 19. He was 79.

MacLaren served the SBOM from May 1, 1995, to Jan. 31, 2007. He also served as director of missions for Elmore Baptist Association and pastor and interim pastor of several churches, including North Brewton Baptist Church; New Hope Baptist Church (now Orrville Baptist Church), Orrville; and other churches in Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. He was a member of Millbrook Baptist Church.

“As a state missionary for 12 years John cared deeply about the Great Commission, encouraging Alabama Baptists to be faithful in stewardship and support for missions through the Cooperative Program,” said Rick Lance, SBOM executive director. “He also served well in ministry posts before and after his ministry with SBOM.

“John will be missed but his legacy will live on through the many lives that he influenced in serving the Lord,” Lance said.

MacLaren was a graduate of Norman College in Georgia, Samford University in Birmingham and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Moseley MacLaren; son, Michael Moseley; daughter, Monica King; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. (TAB)