Gary Farley has had a calling for decades to serve rural and small-town churches and associations. It’s a calling that led him to the Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board) in 1984. And it’s a calling that then led him to Pickens Baptist Association to serve as its director of missions in October 1997.
Farley said his calling hasn’t changed; it’s just being redirected as he marks his 20-year anniversary with Pickens Association on Oct. 17 and also retires.
Under his leadership the association made a concerted, intentional effort to minister to the women at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Aliceville during the last four years, resulting in more than 500 professions of faith, more than 150 baptisms and involving nearly 500 in discipleship programs. Three Protestant churches also have been planted inside the prison.
“Our vision is that FCI Aliceville will become a major missionary sending agency,” Farley said. “So my focus has been on providing opportunities for every member of each of the affiliated churches to be a Great Commission Christian.”
To accomplish this, Pickens Association sponsors missions trips, holds Samford University Ministry Training Institute (MTI) classes for bivocational pastors, has a thrift store and food pantry, offers a radio Sunday School class and much more in addition to the opportunities at FCI Aliceville.
“I pray that this work will continue and expand in years to come,” Farley said, noting the importance of being “open to what God is doing and joining with Him” in whatever ways He allows.
In retirement, Farley hopes to continue teaching MTI classes at the prison and for bivocational pastors within the association.
He and his wife, Jacqueline, have four children and five grandchildren. (TAB)
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