By Leigh Pritchett
Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist
Rick Ellison, 67, of Silverhill served in the U.S. Army for a stint and later was a state missionary with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. He currently serves on the board of directors for The Alabama Baptist. He is an alumnus of Southwest Texas State University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and wife Teresa have three children.
Ministry description: Associational mission strategist for Baldwin Baptist Association
Church name: First Baptist Church, Silverhill, in Baldwin Baptist Association
Life verse: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31)
Q: Describe where you focus your greatest ministry efforts.
A: Strengthening and promoting fellowship among leaders and 65 church campuses in Baldwin Baptist Association; being a resource and friend to pastors, staff, associational ministry leaders and others; working with leaders and others to pray and discover the most strategic ways to start new church work.
Q: Who was or is one of the most influential people in your faith life? Why?
A: The greatest spiritual influence in my life was my dad, Dr. Billy Ellison. He served as a pastor in Tennessee and as an associational missionary/director of missions in Alabama until his death.
Q: What has God been teaching you lately?
A: God is good and is teaching me to spend more time with Him, walking closely with Him daily.
Q: Have you ever read a book or heard a song that changed the way you think about God and faith? What was it and what did you learn from it?
A: Of course the Bible is important in my life, being in Scripture each day. Billy Graham has been an influence. I love to read about him. I love all Billy Graham represents, his integrity and the way God used him in crusades and other ways. Billy Graham is a hero, that’s for sure. In my personal life “Just as I Am” by Billy Graham has had the most influence. Reading his autobiography and how God has used him. I came from a generation that Billy Graham really impacted.
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