Don Palmer
Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster
Shelby Baptist Association
Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:33; John 12:31; Ephesians 5:19
Favorite Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation”
Hobbies: Camping and fellowshipping with family
Family Status: Widower for seven years after 45 years of marriage to wife, Jeanelle; daughter, Melonie Palmer; sons, Robbie Palmer and Chris Palmer; five grandchildren
Don Palmer, 79, of Alabaster, exemplifies how past experiences prepare an individual for future ministry. Through the years Palmer has drawn from his musical training at Howard College (now Samford University) and the emphasis on evangelism and missions he encountered at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. As a result he has worked in music ministry for 57 years, during which he also conducted missions tours for youth choirs he led. For two years Palmer coordinated an outreach antique car show that identified a total of 500 prospects for the church where he served at that time and a sister church. He and other alumni of Howard College’s a cappella choir have recorded CDs and performed in Europe. Currently Palmer is interim music director, an assistant Sunday School teacher and a deacon at Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: Two dynamic Christian parents (and) awesome Sunday School teachers. I was saved at a revival at First Baptist Church, Bessemer, at age 12.
Q: When and how were you led into the ministry?
A: At age 15. The influence of parents and caring church leaders — they nurtured me.
Q: What does the ministry demand?
A: A lot of time, studying, worship preparation, reading, Bible study.
Q: What do you get from the ministry?
A: Blessings untold. I enjoy seeing people develop spiritually and musically.
Q: How do family members support you?
A: One hundred percent. In fact, all three of my children are involved in ministry too.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: It is fulfilling the call of the Lord on my life.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: Untold. The strength that I get from Him, the wisdom, the motivation for the ministry.
Share with others: