J. Don Aderhold has announced his retirement as pastor of Columbia Drive Baptist Church in Decatur.

Aderhold served the church for 39 years before resigning to assume the responsibilities of director and professor of the North Georgia Campus of New Orleans Seminary. In 2001 he retired as director of the seminary to become the pastor of Columbia Drive for the second time while continuing to teach at the seminary as an adjunct professor.

Aderhold has served as a trustee of the Foreign Mission Board (now the International Mission Board) and the Home Mission Board (now the North American Mission Board), where he served two terms as president. He has also served as a trustee at Mercer University and president of the Georgia Baptist Pastor's Conference.

Aderhold, who is also an author and civic leader, is now available to serve churches as a supply preacher or interim pastor.

Thelma Williamson retired as children's minister at Flat Creek Baptist Church in Fayetteville after serving nine years.