September 7, 2024
ACWORTH, Ga. – Dallas White was fortunate to have one of Georgia’s most successful pastors, Johnny Hunt, to invest in him when he was new to ministry.
“I learned so much from him,” White said. “The time I was able to spend with him was invaluable.”
White, now pastor at The Grove Church in Acworth, is convinced every young leader would benefit from having an experienced ministry mentor like Hunt, former pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, to serve as a sounding board in their early years.
That’s why the Georgia Baptist Mission Board is creating a Young Leaders initiative, which will match ministers under 40 years old with some of the state’s most experienced pulpiteers.
In the 2017 research report The Aging of America’s Pastors, the Barna Group reported that, since 1992, the percentage of church leaders 65 and older has nearly tripled, meaning there are now more pastors over 65 than there are leaders younger than 40.
“The aging of pastors represents a substantial crisis for Protestant churches,” says David Kinnaman, president of Barna Group. "It is urgent that denominations, networks and independent churches determine how to best motivate, mobilize, resource and deploy more younger pastors.
“This is why I’m so excited about the upcoming launch of our Young Leaders initiative,” said White, who also serves as a consultant to the state Mission Board.
White is working alongside Mission Board Executive Director Thomas Hammond to pioneer this new initiative.
“Over the last several years, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with hundreds of local church leaders from across our state, many of whom would be considered ‘young leaders,’” White said. “Time and time again, two desires have dominated these conversations: first, a commitment to continue learning, especially from those that are farther along in life and in ministry; and second, the craving for deep and meaningful friendships — relationships that add value both personally and professionally.”
White has been the beneficiary of both.
“I’ve been blessed to learn from some incredible, seasoned leaders,” he said. “Their wisdom has been invaluable. Additionally, the friendships I’ve built with other like-minded brothers have enriched my life in so many different ways.”
After talking with young leaders from across the state, White came to realize that his story was the exception and not the norm.
"This is why we’re making an intentional effort to invest in young leaders,” Hammond said. “We want to engage, encourage, equip and empower our next generation of Georgia Baptist leaders.”
The Young Leaders initiative will specifically seek to serve those between the ages of 20 and 40 through a combination of in-person and online gatherings throughout the year. Step one, White said, was developing a database of those who’d wish to be involved.
“If you’re passionate about making much of Jesus, serving His people well, and being found faithful, you have a home with us,” White said.
The initiative will launch in 2022 with a statewide tour, hosted by White and featuring teaching from longtime Georgia Baptist Pastor Michael Catt.
Tour stops include Green Acres Baptist Church in Athens, Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, and First Baptist Church in Woodstock.
"The goal of the four-stop tour is two-fold," White said, “to get to know the guys on the ground and to make sure they know the GBMB is here to help them succeed.”
Each stop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30AM. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and engage with Catt and connect with other young leaders from their area.
The events are free, but prospective attendees are asked to register in advance at https://gabaptist.org/yltour/.
