Pastor of West Mobile Baptist retires, begins ministry at Christian retreat

Pastor of West Mobile Baptist retires, begins ministry at Christian retreat

Charles Gibbs said retiring from active pastoral ministry wasn’t on his radar just yet.

“We had no idea God was about to move us,” he said.

But after 24 years as pastor of West Mobile Baptist Church, Gibbs and his wife, Vanita, have answered the call to become operational directors of Abbie Lane Christian Retreat Center in Coushatta, Louisiana. The retreat center, which has three cabins and 12 prayer gardens, is for ministers and spouses of all Christian denominations to come for up to three months.

“Our part of the ministry is ‘table talk’ ministry,” Gibbs said. They will prepare two meals a day for guests and allow them space to talk if that’s what they want or they can simply rest.”

Thomas Wright, executive director of missions for Mobile Baptist Association, said the Gibbses were actively involved in associational and state missions and will be missed by many across the association.

“Pastor Charles demonstrated the results of a faithful ministry that clearly preached biblical truth and trained disciples that grew the church into one of the leading congregations in the association,” Wright said.

Before coming to Mobile, Gibbs also served as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Dequincy, Louisiana, and Fernwood Baptist Church, Gulfport, Mississippi.

For more information about the retreat center visit abbielane.org. (Grace Thornton)