McLemore celebrates 25th year

When Mike McLemore started as youth pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham in 1974 he never dreamed one day he’d be celebrating his 25th anniversary at that church.
   
“It’s been a great journey with the church,” he said. “I never thought I’d be back after seminary.”
   
During the Oct. 19 evening service, several church members surprised McLemore with a formal presentation and love offering as a way to honor his 25th anniversary at Lakeside.
“It was awesome and wonderful the way they poured out their love,” he said. “It was a real honor and I was humbled.”
   
For 20 of McLemore’s 25 years at Lakeside he’s served as pastor. He was minister to students for two years and associate pastor for three years before becoming pastor in October 1983. For two years in between being youth and associate pastor of Lakeside, he served as pastor of Indian Grave Baptist Church in Billingsley.
   
Steve Layton, who has been minister of Christian education at Lakeside for nearly eight years, said it has been encouraging to him to serve under a pastor who has worked at the same church for 25 years.
   
“I think it’s outstanding when a man can serve the Lord in one place for a quarter of a century,” Layton said, who described McLemore as a mentor. “There’s stability and consistency when you work with the same person.”
    
Marjorie Linn, administrative assistant to McLemore for five years, counts it a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with him but also is glad he is her pastor. “He is a very caring and compassionate pastor and straightforward preacher of God’s Word,” she said.
   
Dick Flournoy, who serves on the human resources and personnel committee at Lakeside, agrees that McLemore is a pastor who is loved dearly by his congregation. “He is a complete pastor, especially when it comes to biblical preaching,” he said. “He is also a counselor who [goes by] biblical instructions. He is a fun person but noncompromising when it comes to God’s Word.”
    
McLemore’s involvement with the Birmingham Baptist Association and Alabama Baptist State Convention shows he has served more than just the members at Lakeside during his time as a pastor. Most recently, he was president of the state convention in 2001 and 2002.
   
“He a true leader and Alabama Baptist statesman,” Layton said. He has provided leadership at our church and in the association. He’s an excellent spokesman for Alabama Baptists.”
   
McLemore has also served on several Baptist and civic boards during his career. He currently serves on the board of directors of The Alabama Baptist newspaper.
   
A graduate of Samford University in Birmingham and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, McLemore also received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from the University of Mobile.
   
McLemore and his wife, Wanda, are natives of Athens and have three grown children and one grandson.