Dr. Gary A. Furr honored for 25 years at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church

Members of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church will honor the 25th anniversary of their pastor, Dr. Gary A. Furr, with a special recognition Sunday, September 16 during the 10 a.m. worship service. Later that day, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., a reception will be hosted in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Baptist dignitaries and leaders along with members of the congregation and the pastor’s family will be among those attending the event honoring the milestone.

“This will be a historic event for our church,” noted Dr. Dennis Anderson, the church’s Administrative Pastor. “Even though we are known for long-tenured pastors here at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, Gary will be the first to celebrate 25 years as our pastor.”

A collection of notes of appreciation and remembrances will be given to Dr. Furr and his wife, Vickie, at the afternoon reception for church members and friends hosted by members of Joyful Noise Sunday School class that is co-taught by Mrs. Furr.

Dr. Furr has overseen tremendous growth and strides during his twenty-five years at the church. Some of the highlights of the church’s accomplishments under Dr. Furr’s leadership:

· Over 1,100 new church members

· 23% increase in resident member families

· 282% increase in giving to missions

· 146% increase in budgeted giving

· 140% increase in total giving

· Launched church website, www.vhbc.com, and social media site on Facebook

· Began radio ministry with WAJH, 91.1 FM, to broadcast live the Sunday morning worship service

· Mobilized more than 300 members to go to 25 countries for short-term, hands-on, volunteer mission efforts

· Adopted a Master Plan for facilities, and property development

· Led the church to build over $6.5 million in construction of Choir Suite, Preschool & Children’s Educational Building & Student Activities Building

· Led the church to make expansions & renovations of Sanctuary, Church Offices, Library, Fellowship Hall, Kitchen, Conference & Seminar rooms

· Led the church to purchase the Shades Crest Road property for a Hospitality House

· Raised over $5.7 million for capital improvements

· Expanded staff to provide effective ministries in music, worship, discipleship, missions, & pastoral care.

· Began strategic missional partnerships, both globally and locally (e.g., Kenya, Mexico, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, India, Perry County, Alabama, the Over-the Mountain Hispanic Community, & downtown Birmingham)

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., received 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. He is a graduate of The Academy for Spiritual Formation with the Upper Room Ministries, a graduate of the inaugural class of Leadership Vestavia Hills, and has served on the Coordinating Council of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, on the Executive Board of the Birmingham Baptist Association, and the on the Board of Directors of the Baptist Health Systems. His current project is serving as the founder of the Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Children, a faith-based, non-profit organization of health care professionals, educators, and community leaders advocating for the healthcare of children in underserved areas of Alabama.