After nearly four years as Georgia Baptists' vice president of evangelism Mike Minnix stepped down on Aug. 15 to take an early retirement. Known as a powerful preacher and an able administrator, Minnix, 61, has led Georgia to achieve notable success in evangelism.

His retirement will enable him to direct more attention as editor of www.PastorLife.com, which he founded in 2001. He plans to expand that ministry in the next two years as a contract worker with the state convention. Plans call for moving the Web site from a subscription basis to a free site and tripling the sermons to more than 3,000.

Minnix said he also plans to consult with churches that are not growing or are in decline. Under his leadership Georgia Baptists baptized nearly six percent more individuals last year than in the previous year, sharply reversing a three-year decline. Many believe his orchestration of the state's WAVE revival emphasis could produce a record number of baptisms this year.

The retiring vice president recently said, "Evangelism must be among the top concerns and ministries of the local church, otherwise our churches will decline in baptisms, Bible study, worship attendance and missions giving."

In speaking of Minnix's retirement, Executive Director J. Robert White stated, "We will miss Mike Minnix and want to express our deep gratitude for the contribution he has made to our staff and our churches. During his tenure as vice president for evangelism, our Georgia Baptist churches had the largest single year total baptism increase of any state in the Southern Baptist Convention."

Minnix has degrees from Gardner-Webb University, Southeastern Seminary and Trinity Theological Seminary and was recognized for his outstanding scholarship in each school. He was licensed to preach in 1968 and ordained to the gospel ministry in 1969. He has served churches in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. He came to the evangelism post at the GBC from a 12-year pastorate of the 2,700-member First Baptist Church of Lilburn.

Minnix, who served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1966, had a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1965 and 1966. He is married to the former Jane Lloyd of Shelby, N.C. and they have two grown children and four grandchildren.

In addition to being a frequent preacher for Bible conferences, revivals and retreats, Minnix is a Bible scholar and author. He can be reached at mminnix@gabaptist.org.