THE MO

TGOMERY
KE MAY, DIRECTOR OF MISSIO
S

BAPTIST

Serving Christ Through Montgomery Area Churches THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2012

The Life and Legacy of Bob Franklin

Most of you learned last week about the passing of our former Director of Missions, Dr. Bob Lee Franklin. Bob served Montgomery Baptist Association from 1977-1985, providing visionary leadership to our association. During Bobs tenure, the position of Black Church Relations Director was established with the Reverend Milton Boyd Ken May serving in that capacity. MBA also received into membership our first African American church, Westside Baptist Church led by Milton Boyd, and our second, Bible Missionary Baptist Church led by the Reverend Eugene Zeigler. Also, during this time we acquired the former St. Marks United Methodist Church building on South Perry Street and Central Baptist Church was organized with Rev. Boyd as pastor. Rev. Willie Graham, who had been associate pastor at Westside, assumed the position of pastor. Other churches organized during Bobs tenure were Brookwood and Paige Hills in Millbrook, and Taylor Road. It was also during this time that the State Board of Missions established a full-time position for Montgomery Area Baptist Campus Minister. I was called to be the first full-time campus minister for AUM and Alabama State in 1979. A temporary Baptist Student Center was set up on the AUM campus after property was purchased from the McLemore estate adjacent to the campus. During Bobs tenure, the associational office moved from Executive Park to the site of the former Calvary Baptist Church, which was donated to the association by First Baptist Church. Shortly thereafter, the Baptist Center was relocated to the South Hull Street location, and the old center, the former Jewish Temple, located at the corner of McDonough and High Streets, was sold. In the early 1980s Miss Gladys Farmer, Christian Social Minister for MBA, retired, and Bob led the association to call Colonel Jim Lilly as Director of Christian Social Ministries, and his wife Mary as director of the Baptist Center. Ministry to Internationals saw significant growth under the leadership of Starla Yeager and an influx of Laotian refugees led to the formation of the New Life School which also met at the associational building on South Hull. This ultimately led to the formation of the Conversational English School a few years later. Bob also envisioned and began the Samaritan Inn Ministry.

Bob answered the call to serve the Noonday Baptist Association in Marietta, Georgia, and left in April of 1985. Several individuals called to serve in Montgomery Baptist Association during his tenure went on to prominent ministries in other areas. Jerri Herring served as the first Director of Church Development ministries for MBA. Jerri completed her career at LifeWay as a consultant. Margaret Slusher followed her in that position and later served with Bob in the Noonday Association. I could write much more, but I will close with a few personal thoughts. Bob Franklin was called to serve First Baptist Church of Huntsville where I was a member during high school. Throughout college Bob continued to offer great encouragement to me as I sought Gods will for my life. I found it providential that I was called to serve alongside him here in Montgomery in 1979. He was a great mentor, encourager and friend. We maintained contact during his years of service at Noonday and with the North American Mission Board. He was a blessing to me and to so many. I thank God for his faithful service. Third Annual Gospel Sing Friday, August 3 | 6:30 PM Dalraida Baptist Church
Wares Ferry Road in Montgomery

Vacation Bible School Schedule for July and August

McGhee Road Eastdale Friday: 6 8:30 p.m. July 20-22 Saturday: 9 11:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Aug. 13-17 8:00 p.m.

No admittance fee. A love offering will be taken to benefit Community of HOPE.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE KEY LEADER CO FERE CE Tuesday, August 21 | 5:30 PM - 7:45 PM Eastmont Baptist Church

2012 MBA Conversational English Teacher Training

Montgomery Baptist Association 20 Interstate Park Drive

August 1-3, 2012

August 15:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. August 2 & 39:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Cost of training: $30 (includes teacher manual) Call 271-6794 for registration information or email lrose@mgmbaptist.org.

The Montgomery Baptist Association 20 Interstate Park Montgomery, Alabama 36109 334-271-6227 www.mgmbaptist.org This publication is made possible by your churches contributions to Associational Missions.