Pastor Wayne Smith marks 35 years at Millbrook church

Pastor Wayne Smith marks 35 years at Millbrook church

When Wayne Smith accepted the pastorate of Millbrook Baptist Church in Elmore Baptist Association in 1971, he told his wife, Kaye, that they would “probably be here for the next two or three years.” 
   
Thirty-five years later, the Smiths are still going strong.
   
The congregation, along with Jim Jackson, director of missions (DOM) for Elmore Association, joined together May 21 to commemorate Smith’s 35 years of ministry at the church.
   
“I never dreamed I’d stay here this long. Millbrook Baptist is a great church, and the people have just been good to me, I guess,” he said with a laugh.
   
Jackson, who first met Smith in 1991 when he came to the association to serve as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tallassee, said Smith’s longevity at Millbrook is a testament to his faithfulness.
   
“We’ve been blessed in our association with several who have had lengthy tenures, but in every situation, it takes a lot of patience from a shepherd who loves his flock,” said Jackson, who became DOM of Elmore Association in 1995. 
   
During the celebration, Smith received plaques and commendations from Elmore Association, the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, Gov. Bob Riley, members of the church and Millbrook Mayor Al Kelly, who proclaimed May 21, 2006, Clifford Wayne Smith Day.
   
Smith said one of the most touching moments of the day was a phone call he received from a young man in Baghdad, Iraq, who called to congratulate him on his 35th anniversary at the church.
   
Choking back tears, Smith said, “It really meant a lot to me that he would think to call me considering where he is.”
   
Smith accepted Christ as a senior in high school at Floyd Baptist Church, Verbena, in Chilton Baptist Association. At age 20, he was licensed and ordained by Floyd Baptist. After he graduated from high school, he enrolled at the Baptist Bible Institute (now the Baptist College of Florida) in Graceville, Fla., before transferring to Birmingham’s Samford University, where he graduated in 1970 with a bachelor of arts degree in religion. He went on to earn a master of arts degree in ministry from Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia, Ga.
   
Smith began his ministry career serving as pastor of two churches at the same time — Highland Baptist, Clanton, and Mineral Springs Baptist, Clanton. He alternated between the two small congregations, preaching Sunday services.
   
“It was quite a challenge. Even though those churches were located in the same county, there was such a difference. What would work in one congregation might not work in the other,” Smith said.
   
He later served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lomax, in Clanton; Northside Baptist Church, Clanton; and Macedonia Baptist Church, Maplesville.
   
When Smith came to Millbrook, he was 32. He and his wife brought with them their two oldest children — Pamela, then 8, and Angel, then 5. A few years later, Micah and Jamall were born. The children are now grown and married and have given the Smiths six grandchildren.
   
He said one of his most memorable moments as pastor of Millbrook Baptist was leading the congregation in relocating. 
   
“That (process) has meant a great deal to me,” Smith said. “The former church was … penned in with no way to grow. We were able to purchase property and relocate. We had an entirely brand new church when the process was finished.”
   
His plan for growth worked. Thirty-five years ago, Millbrook Baptist had approximately 200 enrolled in Sunday School. Today it has 300.
   
Jackson said the growth is a direct result of Smith’s leadership. “It takes persistence to keep a church focused and going in a direction. He’s open to change and to take the church to a different level to reach new people.” 
   
He said Smith is “not only … a faithful servant but one who is full of faith.”
   
“During the time I’ve known him, he’s gone through some extreme physical testings in his own health and that of his wife, daughter and grandchild,” Jackson said. “Yet through it all, he’s been the same sweet, faithful Wayne Smith. I’ve witnessed the congregation minister to their pastor, and that’s evidence that he was teaching and leading in the right way.”
   
Smith said the most rewarding part of being a pastor is seeing others come to know the Lord as their Savior and watching them grow in their Christian life.
   
“It’s amazing the friendships you make with people,” he said. “Being here as long as I have, your roots really get deep. I have baptized and married individuals and then baptized and married their children.”
   
Smith said he hopes his congregation always remembers him as a faithful pastor. “I’ve told a lot of people that if I had to choose between being remembered as a good pastor or a good preacher that I’d rather be remembered as a good pastor.” 
   
Studying and teaching the Word is vital, Smith noted. But he wants to be remembered for living out that biblical example for his church through serving his people.
   
Glenn Ross, youth director at Millbrook Baptist, said Smith’s hope is a reality. 
   
“I saw it (Smith’s person-­centered perspective) firsthand when my wife and I lost our first child. He was there for three days at the hospital,” he said. “People will always tell me, or I’ll overhear a conversation, how Bro. Smith is always there. There has never been an occasion when someone was in the hospital or sick at home or if they’ve lost a loved one when he’s not there to comfort, love and care for them.”