Neal retires from church, plans to keep preaching

Neal retires from church, plans to keep preaching

Longtime Alabama Baptist evangelist and pastor Perry D. Neal is retiring from one of his two ministries — the church. And with that retirement, Neal plans to tackle evangelism and preaching head-on.

"I’m going to jump back on the saddle like Paul Revere and keep on riding," he said. "I plan to preach till Jesus comes."

Neal retired as senior adult minister for Heritage Baptist Church, Montgomery, in Montgomery Baptist Association May 31, but he and his wife of 46 years, Marcie, will remain members there. Neal served in that position for nearly six years.

During Neal’s 51 years of ministry, he served churches in Alabama and Mississippi — senior pastor of First Baptist, Bay St. Louis, Miss.; associate pastor of First Baptist, Biloxi, Miss.; senior pastor of Tunnell Chapel Baptist, Wetumpka; and senior pastor of Eastdale Baptist, Montgomery. While at Eastdale, he saw more than 600 new members join in a two-year period, more than half through baptism.

Neal received a bachelor’s degree from Samford University in Birmingham and master’s of theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his doctor of ministry degree from Covington Theological Seminary in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.

Neal may be contacted for supply preaching and revivals at 334-514-7478 or 126 Brittany Court, Wetumpka, AL 36093.