Ministerial Moves

Maurice Crowder has been called to serve as interim director of missions for Ogeechee River Baptist Association. Crowder retired in 1993 and has served as interim director of missions, interim pastor of several churches and recently completed seven-and-a-half years as interim and pastor at First Baptist Church in Portal. He has also served at churches in Texas and South Carolina and been active in denominational work.

Jerry Deans was called as pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Albany Feb. 8.

East LaGrange Baptist Church called Josh Forbus as pastor Feb. 8. Forbus comes from Northside Baptist Church in West Point, where he served as associate pastor.

Chris Grauso accepted a call as youth intern at First Baptist Church of Carrollton. Grauso will be serving grades 6-12 with Tommy Cox.

First Baptist Church in Moreland has called Searcy Jackson as transitional pastor.

James M. Ramsey has resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church of Albany, effective April 4, to accept the pastorate at First Baptist Church of Thomson.

Dennis Taylor resigned as youth minister at First Leesburg Baptist Church on Feb. 4.

James L. “Jim” Waller has been called as pastor at Luthersville Baptist Church. He will be serving alongside co-pastor Joe Felder. Waller has served as full-time executive director of Forward Vision Ministries since 1987. He has also served several interim pastorates during that time.

Waller served as pastor at Central Baptist Church in Americus prior to beginning full-time ministry with Forward Vision. He has also served at: Unity Church in Newnan, First Baptist in Camilla, Morningside Baptist in Valdosta, Garfield Baptist Church and Snow Hill Baptist in Alamo, as well as Hillcrest Baptist in Charleston, S.C.; Kingston Avenue Baptist in Odessa, TX; and Woodcrest Baptist Church in Dallas, TX.

Waller began his ministry in 1970 after serving in the Air Force. He was licensed and ordained by Highland Park Baptist Church in Hanahan, S.C. A native of College Park, he and his wife, Romona, have three children and three grandchildren.

Waller is a graduate of Brewton-Parker College and received his bachelor’s degree from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss. He received his master of theology and doctor of theology degrees from Trinity Theological Seminary. He has served on numerous committees in the associations where he has pastored.