Trussville pastor named Beeson alumnus of year

Ryan Whitley, senior pastor of CrossPoint Church, Trussville, in St. Clair Baptist Association, was named Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) alumnus of the year by Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School. The 1996 graduate is a member of the Beeson D.Min. program’s first graduating class.

At a Beeson convocation Jan. 29, Whitley was presented with a plaque and cited for the “faithful and exemplary pastoral leadership” he has provided his congregations since graduation. Before serving CrossPoint, he was pastor of First Baptist Church, Center Point.

“He has embodied the best of what Beeson tries to cultivate in its students: steadfast commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, responsible exposition of God’s Word, excellence in the practice of ministry and continuing growth as a Christian disciple,” said Mark Searby, director of Beeson’s D.Min. studies program.