July 26, 2024
CUMMING, Ga. — It has been said that a pastor’s compassion echoes in eternity, leaving imprints on every heart, and that his preaching pours drops of wisdom into the cup of our understanding. Those words could aptly describe the ministry of Dr. Robert Preston “Bob” Jolly.
First Baptist Cumming has become a thriving and dynamic church because through the years Jolly has established a ministry that is based on three powerful principles. He has stated that the mission of the church is to make disciples who make disciples. The vision of the church is to be a church that gives itself away. And the values of the church are the sovereignty of God, the sanctity of life, and the significance of the local church.
Those impactful principles have made First Baptist Cumming one of Georgia’s most influential and formidable spiritual congregations, having a local and global impact.
After 30 years as pastor of First Baptist Cumming and 44 years of pastoral experience, the beloved pastor has announced his retirement, or as he likes to state, “I am preparing to pass the baton of leadership to the next lead pastor.”
Jolly will continue to serve the Lord after leaving First Baptist Cumming, taking on the role of director of the Doctor of Ministry Degree with a concentration in Life-on-Life Missional Discipleship at Metro Atlanta Seminary.
Pastor Jolly has served his local congregation with integrity and faithfulness for three decades. W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, noted, “The reason why this is so significant is because of how rarely we celebrate a 30-year anniversary.” He added, “But we don't just celebrate the length of ministry, we also celebrate the impacted lives.”
The impact of Jolly’s life and ministry has reached far beyond First Baptist Cumming. He served Forsyth County as the President of the Ministerial Association for ten years, was the board chairman for the county’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, served on the county’s Board of Education community committees, and was a Volunteer Hospital Chaplain from 1994 to 2014.
Consequently, on April 16th, Mayor Troy Brumbalow and the Cumming City Council voted to proclaim Sunday, April 21st as “Dr. Bob Jolly Day” in the city. The pastor was presented with a Key to the City.
“When I think of Bob Jolly,” Hammond said, “I think of a servant who faithfully preaches the word of God, is passionate about reaching his community with the gospel, a devoted disciple-maker and friend to all pastors.”
During Jolly’s tenure, the church staff has grown from its initial three to nearly 30 full and part-time staff members today. And of most significance, well over 1,000 men and women have given their lives to Christ in the last 30 years at FBC.
Dr. Rick Forbus, executive pastor/classic worship director at FBC Cumming, testified that “Bob Jolly is a diplomat, an intentionally loving pastor, who listens well and is a peacemaker.”
Tim Hearn, an elder at First Baptist Church of Cumming, noted the impact Jolly has had on his life. “Bob has been a vital part of my life since we joined First Baptist in 2008,” he said, “He has been my pastor, leader, mentor, and friend. God knew I needed a man like Bob in my life and graciously connected us at the right time in my spiritual journey. I look forward to watching God use Bob in the lives of emerging Christian leaders for years to come.”
Carrie Ann Sienkiewicz, the church’s communications director, added, “We love Pastor Bob and he will be greatly missed – he is a wonderful, loving pastor.”
Pastor Jolly’s Acts 1:8 approach to ministry and his leadership in the church has extended the ministry of the members to the cities of America from New York City to San Francisco and the nations of the world including England, Ethiopia, and Thailand. Under Jolly’s ministry, the Cumming church has made a significant global impact.
Jolly is a hero to Southern Baptist leaders because he has led his church to become a leader in gifts to the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.
He has not only led his church to support mission causes but has invested his own time and leadership skills in Baptist work in Georgia. He was appointed to serve on the Georgia Baptist Health Care Counselling Board and the GBHC Baptist North Board, the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation, and the GBMB Executive Committee.
Looking to the future and his role at Metro Atlanta Seminary, Jolly commented, “I am passionate about coaching pastors and churches to ignite a discipleship movement that includes a biblical and theological foundation, heart transformation, intentional multiplication, and life-on-life discipling.”
There is no doubt that Dr. Jolly will continue to have a noteworthy impact for the cause of Christ, because of his surrender to Christ and his passion to make a difference in the lives of others.
Hammond agreed, stating, “I believe Bob Jolly’s next chapter could be the most significant to the Kingdom.”
