[1]TALLADEGA, Ala. (BP)–Troy Morrison has announced his retirement as executive secretary of the Alabama Baptist State Convention’s state board of missions, effective Jan. 31, 1999.
Morrison made the announcement during the board’s Sept. 5 meeting at Shocco Springs Baptist Assembly in Talladega.
“I thank God for the privilege of serving Alabama Baptists,” Morrison said. “These have been rewarding and maturing years for me as well as for the convention.”
Morrison told board members he decided to make the announcement more than a year in advance for several reasons: — to give time for a search committee to become acquainted, organize, solicit recommendations and screen available candidates.
— to allow extra time to call a meeting of the state board of missions, which would vote on the eventual recommendation of a search committee.
— to give time for Morrison’s replacement to become acquainted with the job and for Morrison to assist in the transition if the new executive secretary desires.
The search committee for Morrison’s successor is being chaired by Ron Madison, a member of the state board of missions and pastor of First Baptist Church, Opelika.
The Alabama state board of missions unanimously elected Morrison as executive secretary in 1990 after he had first served as director of church-minister relations.
Morrison cited several accomplishments during the past seven years, including: keeping the convention together; emphasizing evangelism, missions and ministries; focusing on support of local churches; nurturing good relationships with local associations of Baptist churches; balancing the convention’s budget and consistently increasing financial gifts to missions; restructuring board departments for efficiency and significant cost savings; encouragement of missions volunteerism and partnerships; and the addition of almost 30,000 square feet of office space.
“If there have been successes and victories, the credit must be given to God and the fine people of this state board of missions and the convention,” Morrison declared.
He and his wife, Frances, are members of Montgomery’s First Baptist Church. Morrison has pastored churches in Alabama and Kentucky and is a graduate of Jacksonville (Ala.) State University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned his doctoral degree.