September 19, 2024
ADEL, Ga. — Pastor Brian Gay and the congregation of Greggs Baptist Church in Adel take evangelism seriously. Gay believes that the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament is the best church growth manual available and that those who follow that model will generally find success.
Gay is faithfully following the pattern outlined in the book of Acts to grow Greggs Baptist. He depends upon the Holy Spirit, faithfully preaches the Word, and provides an example of what it means to be a faithful witness to the members of his congregation to produce fruit for the Kingdom.
God called Gay to Greggs Baptist Church in December 2010 when the church had an average attendance of 20-25. In the last 13 plus years, the church has grown to five times that number.
Gay explained, “The Lord saved me when I was 14 years old. I was raised by a single mother who always taught us the importance of being in church and having a relationship with the Lord.” After college, Gay joined the Georgia State Patrol in August 1993.
Being a state patrolman was not without its adventures for Gay. He recalled that on one occasion, “Another trooper and I had a car chase that led us through a cotton field. We ended up having to chase the guy on foot to the edge of a swamp, but we got him.”
During his career in law enforcement, Gay had numerous opportunities to share the gospel. “I was 31 when I led my first person to the Lord,” he said. He was one of the trustee inmates at the State Patrol Post. A week later, I was able to lead the other trustee inmate to Jesus.”
In 2001, Gay began working with the youth at the church he attended before being called into the ministry. After working with the youth, he began teaching Sunday School in the same church. Gay answered God’s call into the ministry on Dec. 9, 2007. “I filled in as a supply preacher for churches,” he recalled, “until God called me to Greggs Baptist Church.”
Gay credits Jay Watkins, pastor at Redland Baptist Church, as his mentor. “By virtue of his counsel,” Gay said, “I was able to understand the challenges and the blessings of being a pastor.”
Gay remembers the power of his calling. “There was a yearning in my spirit to seek the lost and preach the gospel,” he said. “The feeling was so strong I could not ignore it, and that passion confirmed my calling.”
Gay’s emphasis on evangelism has resulted in 33 people being baptized so far this year. He stated, “I feel that evangelism is vital for a pastor and church, because we are called to be the voice, the hands, and the feet of Jesus.”
Gay feels that if pastors share their passion for evangelism with the congregation, church members will be filled with the same passion. “If those of us who are pastors seek the heart of Christ, I believe that evangelism will also become a burning desire in the hearts of His people in the church. I am beginning to see the desire to share the Gospel grow in the hearts of our people as we continue to seek Him and follow His will.”
Gay is convinced that his church’s mission field is “everywhere we go” and that each church member has unique gifts that the Lord has provided for service and love in that area. The church is committed to both local and international missions. It contributes to Toys for Cook Kids, Operation Christmas Child, and the Lighthouse Projects in the Dominican Republic.
The Greggs Church pastor is also the chaplain for the Valdosta State University baseball team. This provides him the opportunity to pour his heart into the lives of the young athletes and staff and offer godly counsel.
This winter, the church participated for the first time in a Disciple Now weekend and three of their youth were saved. Gay stated, “It really started a revival among our youth and has ignited a new season of growth in our youth group and in our entire fellowship.”
Mike Broadwater, the associational missionary for the Valdosta Baptist Association, testified, “Brian is a breath of fresh air as a pastor. His heart is huge and his love for people unsurpassed. In a very small and rural setting God is using Brian to reach a lot of boys and girls.”
The growth of the church has prompted the church leadership to launch out into the early stages of expansion. They are preparing to build a new sanctuary, social hall and Sunday School rooms to accommodate the congregation’s rapid growth.
“His baptism numbers rival those of many of the much larger urban churches,” said Broadwater.
Adjustments are being made to provide for more children by securing smaller chairs and tables, and the church is considering moving a Sunday School class into the worship center to help meet the current needs.
Despite all the changes and adjustments the church is making, one thing has remained the same: Gay’s passion for reaching the lost.
“Through all this success over these 13 plus years as the pastor of Greggs,” Broadwater said, “Brian continues to retain a very humble spirit and give all praise to the Lord Jesus. I praise the Lord for him and pray that God will continue to use him to enlarge the Kingdom of God.”
