April 19, 2024
DULUTH – The Georgia Baptist Mission Board has announced shifts in current employees responsibilities in order to cover a greater range of ministry opportunities.
The first shift occurred within Pastor Wellness. Marty Youngblood, who served as a Pastor Wellness catalyst, now serves as the campus minister for Georgia Southern University at the Armstrong Campus. Youngblood served at this location prior to joining the Mission Board staff in Church-Minister Relations. Tony Branham retired in December after serving the campus for 10 years.
Youngblood said he had the opportunity to choose between moving back to Atlanta to work in Pastor Wellness in a different capacity or to stay in Savannah and work as a campus minister. He chose to stay in Savannah and return to his position as a campus minister.
“It’s like having a good friend,” Youngblood said. “Even though you’ve been living in different parts of the country for years, you still stay connected. You still have a longing to get together. In the same way, I did 20 plus years in campus ministries, so I still had a heart, interest, and – at times – a longing to reconnect with it.”
Youngblood said he is excited about the vision GBMB Executive Director Thomas Hammond has cast for campus ministry. There is a desire to see more partnerships form between churches and campuses to minister to students.
Jeff Gongwer has also shifted his responsibilities. Gongwer joined the Mission Board staff in 2019 as a Missions consultant for the West Central Region. He now serves in the area of Pastor Wellness as a catalyst.
“I pray daily for pastors who are struggling or need to be lifted up,” Gongwer said. “My heart has deeply resonated with the statement, ‘Pastors are our Heroes’ ever since Thomas Hammond shared his vision. I feel honored for God to use me to help those who pour into others every day.”
Mike Taylor, who has served with the Mission Board for nine years, will remain in the area of Discipleship, but will be focusing on the Northwest Region.
“Mike will continue to resource the West Central region until we get our new consultant in place, but he is transitioning his primary focus to the Northwest region,” said Scott Sullivan, Discipleship catalyst. “Mike Taylor is a proven leader and problem solver. His ability to help leaders think outside the box is impressive. Mike already lives in the Northwest Region and, because he has served on our team for nine years, he has an incredible network of relationships already.
Each of these staff members’ contact information can be found online at gabaptist.org.
