Gary Furr celebrates 20 years

Members of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church honored the 20th anniversary of their pastor, Dr. Gary A. Furr, with a special recognition in August during a worship service and reception.

Dr. Fisher Humphreys, professor of divinity emeritus at Samford University and longtime friend of the Furr family, spoke during the services.

Those attending the event included his wife Vickie and the Furrs’ daughters, Heather Jassy, Erin Yeager and Katie Furr.

 “Even though we are known for long-tenured pastors here at Vestavia Hills Baptist, Gary was the first to celebrate 20 years as our pastor,” said Dr. Dennis Anderson, the church’s minister of education and administration.

Under Furr’s leadership, the church welcomed more than 948 new members and saw an 11 percent increase in resident member families, a 188 percent increase in budgeted missions giving, and a 130 percent increase in budgeted receipts. 

He oversaw more than 300 members mobilized to go to 25 countries for short-term, hands-on, volunteer mission efforts; a master plan for facilities and property development; a $6.5 million construction new facilities; and the initiation of strategic missional partnerships in Birmingham and globally.

Prior to his move to Birmingham, Dr. Furr served as pastor at churches in Georgia and Texas. A native of North Carolina, he holds a B.A. in religion from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., and Ph.D. in religion from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he graduated in 1986. A graduate of The Academy for Spiritual Formation with the Upper Room Ministries, he currently serves on the Coordinating Council of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.