Gary Furr celebrated 20 years of ministry as pastor of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church on Aug. 25.
Fisher Humphreys, emeritus professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, spoke from Colossians 3:12–17 during the morning worship service and formally recognized Furr for his years of service.
The hymns “How Beautiful Are the Feet” and “Lord, May Our Hearts Be Fertile Ground” were sung for the first time, after having been written for the day’s service by Terre Johnson and Milburn Price, respectively. An original piano compilation, “Beloved,” was composed for Furr’s wife, Vickie, by church member Michael Dulin. It also was performed for the first time during the morning service.
During an afternoon reception, more than 300 people attended, including all of Gary Furr’s immediate family, current church members and many former members.
“It was joyful to remember things together and rejoice in the good years we shared,” Gary Furr said.
Called into ministry at the age of 16, Gary Furr attended Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., and majored in religion. He later graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., and received his doctorate from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
He served as pastor of churches in Georgia and Texas before serving at Vestavia Hills Baptist.
Furr and his wife have three children and one grandchild.
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