Millbrook pastor Smith retires after 47 years of pastoral work

Forty-seven years of pastoral ministry recently came to a close for Wayne Smith. Smith, who celebrated his 35th anniversary at Millbrook Baptist Church in Elmore Baptist Association in May, announced his retirement as pastor June 11.
   
“It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done,” he said. “The church gave us a real nice reception, and a lot of my friends came by. It really meant a lot to me.”
   
Millbrook Baptist held a reception for Smith and his wife, Kaye, June 25, and he preached his last sermon at the church June 28.
   
Smith said he and his wife, who recently retired from working in the church’s day-care center, plan to “take it easy for a little while.”
   
“We plan to visit and worship with every church that we’ve pastored through the years,” Smith said. “Then we’ll be open to do supply work for other pastors, maybe even serve as an interim pastor. If the doors open, we would also be interested in doing some short-term missions work.”
   
Smith began his career in ministry serving as pastor of two churches at the same time in Chilton Baptist Association — Highland Baptist, Clanton, and Mineral Springs Baptist, Clanton. He would alternate preaching Sunday services with the two small congregations.
   
Smith later served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lomax, in Clanton; Northside Baptist Church, Clanton; and Macedonia Baptist Church, Maplesville, before coming to Millbrook Baptist.
   
Smith can be contacted for supply or interim preaching at 334-285-5279 or by e-mail at smithkd@bellsouth.net. (TAB)