♦O 21, 2021

Montgomery Baptists will Proclaim the “Gospel Above All” by:

Meeting Human Need While Planting Gospel Seed; Revitalizing, Planting & Replanting Churches; Calling Out the Called

A Glimpse of Your Associational Missionary...

Dr. D’Linell Finley, pastor of Southlawn Baptist Church
and moderator for Montgomery Baptist Association
(MBA), has partnered with the association through
Southlawn for the last eighteen years. Dr. Finley has been
blessed with his wife, Janet, six children, one grandchild,
and another on the way.

When asked about the impact of the pandemic on his

ministry, his response reflected on many pastors. “The
pandemic has caused all of us to improvise in ways we D’Linell Finley
have not anticipated. It made many media personalities.” MBA Moderator
Having used WebEx at MTI for several years, D’Linell
easily transitioned to congregational use, seeing the attendance increase in
worship and Sunday School and offerings. Congregant’s family members
from around the country, as far as California and Maryland, participated
regularly. Knowing that the pandemic has been a tremendous inconvenience
for other churches, it has not been a problem for Southlawn’s congregation
nor their seniors 80 years and older. “It has blessed us to reach more people
than when we were meeting in person.”

They see God working. “We all have family members that we pray for, but
it appeared nothing was going to happen.” However, during this season, the
Finleys’ daughter, Crystal, has experienced a miracle with significant health
improvements. She is the prodigal daughter that returned. “These times
have made many preachers look inward to themselves as well. They have
been taught spiritual patience, not to rush, not push, but be prayerful and
ready for whatever opportunities God provides. Because God will open
doors for you if you submit to him.” For Dr. Finley, seeing baptisms and
new members represented a spiritual maturity and growth that he was not
expecting. “If we are honest, when this first started, we were worried as
pastors whether or not our members would buy-in. Through all the anxiety,
God gave us a sense of purpose. Including myself, giving us direction of
where we needed to go as long as we submitted to Him.” D’Linell learned, New
“If you trust God, things will get done.” You can pray for Dr. Finley and his Location!
ministry as a pastor, teacher, and moderator. Pray for his family members Both
and the Southlawn members for spiritual growth. Pray for their community events will
that they will be stronger in reaching families and making a difference. Pray be at
as they look forward to getting back in the church with a hybrid approach. Eastern
Also, pray that they can continue to reach young people. Join him in Hills.
praying that God will raise up a new generation.

D’Linell offers encouragement to our pastors to not get discouraged. “God

has provided a way for us, opened doors for us, let’s take advantage of it.”
He is encouraged with MTI that ministers from other denominations are
being reached, expanding their footprint. He shares encouragement with
you regarding the work of the association. MBA’s leadership has been
innovative. Where there was once financial worries, these days of the
pandemic are filled not with fear, but new work, church planting, increased
partnerships, and expansion in economically disadvantaged communities in
Montgomery and Lowndes County. Instead of looking at just the spiritual
hardship, you can see how the Lord has blessed the River Region and how
our churches can reach out and do more things. He is proud of the
Montgomery City of Refuge Church, already reaching their community and
their partnership with the Summer Missions program. Flatline Church in
Chisholm and Strong Tower reaching out in west Montgomery. As D’Linell
completes his work as moderator, he can say that MBA is not through yet.
There are bigger and better things that will allow us to continue impacting
the River Region. He sees the gospel footprint expanding with new black
church planters making a difference with the gospel. He appreciates the
partnership with the MBA and Southlawn and commits that they will
continue to do their part actively involved in the work ahead.
To continue the conversation or for more information, you can contact
Dr. D’Linell Finley by phone at (334) 324-1309 or by email at
southlawnpastor@knology.net.

Montgomery Baptist Association • 20 Interstate Park Dr. • Montgomery, Alabama 36109 • 334-271-6227 • www.mgmbaptists.org
This publication is made possible by your churches’ contributions to Associational Missions.
 ♦O 21, 2021
Montgomery Baptists will prioritize the gospel above all by doing the following:
Meet human need while planting gospel seed;
Evangelize the River Region while planting and replanting churches;
Discover, develop, and deploy disciples of Christ to be missionaries across the street and around the world

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