Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Alabama Baptist
Search
Close
The Alabama Baptist
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Free Email Newsletter
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Free Email Newsletter

Montgomery City of Refuge offers help, hope to struggling pastors

  • November 16, 2017
  • Carrie Brown McWhorter
  • Top Stories

Montgomery City of Refuge offers help, hope to struggling pastors

Montgomery Baptist Association Director of Missions (DOM) Neal Hughes has a burden for pastors who find themselves suddenly without a ministry.

Hughes’ dream of establishing a place of sanctuary for pastors and leaders displaced from their ministries has been realized with the opening of Montgomery Association’s City of Refuge. The new ministry was “a port in the storm” for its inaugural recipient, Bill Goodwin, and his family during a difficult time. Goodwin is an Alabama Baptist pastor who was terminated by his church but found healing through City of Refuge — officially “graduating” Nov. 6 during the association’s annual meeting.

Hughes said, “Our goal from the start was to bring hope from hurt. Our objective is to get the pastor and his family reconciled to God and man and to allow the Holy Spirit to direct their next steps.”

Goodwin said that is exactly what happened.

“I look at all the things that have transpired over the last 4 to 5 months and see that God had a purpose in all of it,” Goodwin said. “I feel like I’m going to be a better pastor as a result of this experience.”

City of Refuge is based on the model established more than 20 years ago at First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia, by the church’s longtime pastor, Johnny Hunt. Prior to coming to Montgomery Association in 2016, Hughes worked for the North American Mission Board at its headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia. He and his wife, Mary, were members of First, Woodstock, and became keenly aware of the City of Refuge ministry.

“We began to know the people involved and to understand the rewards, blessings and challenges of the ministry,” Hughes said.

When Hughes was called as DOM, he said he “couldn’t help but think this should be a ministry of the association.”

The idea to provide sanctuary for someone in crisis is based on the Old Testament cities God provided as places of safety or sanctuary during times of trouble. For pastors who lose their job, not only is there a loss of income, there are often other ramifications too — if the church provides the pastor’s home, then the family may be forced to move quickly. Insurance benefits also may cease. In most cases, the family is left with many difficult decisions to make.

That’s the situation the Goodwins found themselves in after serving 15 years as pastor of a church in East Alabama.

Goodwin was given notice by church leaders who wanted him to find another place of service. He began seeking another church and anticipated a call to a church in Tennessee. When the church voted not to call him and no other ministry opportunities opened, Goodwin and his wife, Sharon, who also served on staff at the church, were forced to consider what their lives might look like outside of church ministry.

“We were about to sign a lease on an apartment and were planning to take money out of retirement to pay our bills — whatever we could do to get through,” he said.

Then on Mother’s Day, Goodwin got a call from friend and fellow Alabama Baptist Teman Knight, pastor of Heritage Baptist Church, Montgomery, and a member of the City of Refuge oversight team. Knight explained the program and the Goodwins visited Montgomery to see the house where they would live, courtesy of the association and supporting churches.

There were questions, of course, but the Goodwins felt the benefits were worth the risks. They agreed to move to Montgomery, immediately got plugged in at Heritage and got to work on the restoration part of the program, which Hughes compares to a “three-legged stool.”

One leg of the program is counseling through the association’s counseling ministry.

“A crisis comes with baggage, with hurts, so we want them to have appropriate clinical care,” Hughes said.

Another leg is pastoral care — working closely with a mentoring pastor to see what a strong healthy church is like.

The third leg is leadership care, which includes coaching on a variety of leadership-related issues, resumé building and other aspects of career development.

The three elements of the program work together to help the minister explore past successes and failures in order to build a stronger foundation for future ministry, Hughes said.

In the case of the Goodwins, Hughes said the ultimate goal was always “to bring a sense of resolve so this family can bless this other congregation.”

Called as new pastor

On Nov. 5, that goal was realized when Bill Goodwin was affirmed as the new pastor of Ocmulgee Baptist Church, Selma, in Cahaba Baptist Association. Goodwin is excited about the new opportunity, as he told Montgomery Baptists at the associational meeting. He expressed his gratitude for what City of Refuge has meant to him and his family.

“The experience has helped me hone my skills and prepare me for my next ministry,” Goodwin said.

As Hughes and his team prepare to say goodbye to the Goodwins in a few weeks, they know based on statistics that another pastor will need their help soon. Hughes hopes other associations will consider starting their own City of Refuge ministry to help meet the need.

“These are people who have nowhere to turn,” he said. “We can help them by providing a healthy environment so the Lord can do His work.”

Share with others:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email

Latest News

  • ‘Throwing out the seed’: Bible study leaders must set example in evangelism
    ‘Throwing out the seed’: Bible study leaders must set example in evangelism
    August 12, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • DOJ initiates investigation, SBC leaders respond
    DOJ initiates investigation, SBC leaders respond
    August 12, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries
    China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries
    August 12, 2022/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

‘Throwing out the seed’: Bible study leaders must set example in evangelism

August 12, 2022

Those who lead Sunday School classes have a responsibility to encourage and train members to bring the unsaved to Christ.

DOJ initiates investigation, SBC leaders respond

August 12, 2022

The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has been informed that the United States Department of Justice has initiated an investigation

China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries

August 12, 2022

BEIJING, China — The Chinese Communist Party, which restricts Christian ministries, is clamping down even tighter with the institution of

woman in gray and white striped long sleeve shirt using silver macbook

Online college programs enrolling now at UM

August 12, 2022

Online college programs offer flexibility for students interested in earning a college degree on their own schedule. The University of

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries
Menu
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcast
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcast
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
Menu
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
Menu
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
The Alabama Baptist
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2022 The Alabama Baptist, Inc.
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Menu
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thealabamabaptist.org

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries
Menu
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcast
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcast
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
Menu
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
Menu
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service

Log In

Lost your password?

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel