When he was 15 years old, Rick Marshall knew God was calling him into ministry.
“There was no dramatic moment of call,” Marshall said, “but rather a growing sense during my early teen years at every worship service that God had a plan for my life in ministry.”
With that knowledge firmly rooted in his mind, Marshall was ordained into pastoral ministry at his home church, First Baptist, Dothan, in 1971. Since then, he has faithfully served as pastor of four churches — a 45-year ministry that he is retiring from Oct. 31.
Marshall, who has served as pastor of Eastern Hills Baptist Church, Montgomery, since 1994, urged his congregation in his final sermon Sept. 24 to look to the future with determination.
“You must not neglect the urgency of evangelism. It is your responsibility to leverage every opportunity to open the door for people to find Christ,” he said.
“We will never turn our world upside down for Christ and make a difference for eternity with people in this community and in this city by living the lowest common denominator for Christ.”
Other churches Marshall has served prior to Eastern Hills Baptist include First Baptist Church, Clanton; Mountain View Baptist Church, Huntsville; and Comer Memorial Baptist Church, Alexander City.
At Marshall’s recognition service Sept. 24, State Board of Missions Executive Director Rick Lance called him “a great statesman for Southern Baptists” and Montgomery Baptist Association Director of Missions Neal Hughes said Marshall was “one of our greatest champions for Montgomery Baptist missions.” Marshall is currently budget chairman for the association.
Marshall said, “If I had it to do all over again, I would gladly give my life in the gospel ministry.”
Marshall and his wife, Judy, plan to remain members of Eastern Hills. In retirement, Marshall is open to teaching and preaching as the Lord leads. The couple has three children and seven grandchildren. (Maggie Walsh)
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