Michael Soesbe, pastor of First Baptist Church, St. Elmo, in Mobile Baptist Association, died April 28. He was 60.
Soesbe, who was called as pastor of First, St. Elmo, Aug. 1, 2008, baptized 22 people and began and completed a building project within his almost two-year tenure.
“He loved people and was a God-fearing man,” said Music Minister Vic Parnell. “He became more than our pastor; he became our friend.”
Thomas Wright, executive director of missions for Mobile Association, counted Soesbe as a friend, too, and appreciated his commitment to his calling.
“In a conversation with Brother Mike shortly before he died, Mike was characteristically more concerned about my broken foot than talking about his health,” Wright recalled. “Our repeated requests for how to help were always met with ‘Just pray for me, the church and my family.’”
Surrendering to pastoral ministry in 1990, Soesbe previously served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Selma, in Selma Baptist Association; Perdido Baptist Church in Baldwin Baptist Association; and several churches in Mississippi.
A Foley native, Soesbe graduated from the University of South Alabama in Mobile and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to attending seminary, he served with the U.S. Air Force and received two medals for hazardous flight duties over Vietnam.
Soesbe is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jane; two children; and two grandchildren. (TAB)
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