Paul Miller, retired president of Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, died July 2. He was 83.
ABCH was the only place Miller ever worked. After surrendering to God’s call to serve children while on the battlefield in Vietnam, Miller came back to Alabama and became an intern at ABCH. He served first on ABCH’s Troy campus as a social worker, then for 15 years as superintendent of their Mobile campus. Eventually the committee searching for ABCH’s next leader approached him about the president role.
Over Miller’s years at ABCH, the Alabama Baptist entity made a lot of changes, including adding other ministries such as foster care programs in Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan and Oxford. ABCH also moved its headquarters from Troy to Birmingham.
Miller retired in 2012, nearly 40 years after he first joined the ABCH staff.
“I’ve had the privilege of living out here in Alabama what I feel was a distinct call to Christian child care,” he said as he approached his retirement. “Serving here, you feel like you are able to be a part of making life better for children who have known a great deal of pain and disappointment, to help them know the love of God and develop their potential.”
‘Good and faithful servant’
Rod Marshall, current ABCH president, called Miller a “visionary leader and a truly exceptional man.”
“He had a unique combination of strength and humility. The growth our ministry has experienced and the innovative programs we are providing to serve children and families in Alabama are absolutely built upon the solid foundation built upon the great work of previous leaders and especially the work of Mr. Miller,” Marshall said. “On a personal note, I learned very much about leadership from Mr. Miller. He was my mentor and I will miss him greatly. He was a deeply committed follower of Christ, and I am confident he is receiving his reward as a good and faithful servant.”
Miller is preceded in death by his wife, Diane, who died in 2014. He is survived by his son, Keith; daughters, Joy and Tracy; and a number of grandchildren.
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