December 12, 2024
VALDOSTA, Ga. — Garrett Grubbs, senior pastor at Crossroads Baptist Church, will be nominated to serve as vice president of the Georgia Baptist Convention at the annual meeting scheduled for Nov. 11-12 in Statesboro. Stephen Dervan, the lead pastor at Oak Hill Church in Williamson, said he intends to nominate Grubbs.
Dervan said he’s known Grubbs since they were 14, describing him as “a humble leader who serves his family, his church family, and others with compassion and patience. His competency and character are some of the main reasons I wanted to nominate him.”
Grubbs is a native of Albany, Ga., and has been a believer since the age of 13. He said he gave his life to Christ at a youth camp, where “the Lord told me that day that I wasn't saved and that I needed to get a spiritual backbone.” Grubbs said that in retrospect, he believes that call “foreshadowed the strength I would need in the calling the Lord had for my life, particularly in the dark culture that we are surrounded by during this period in our nation's history.”
Grubbs’ call to ministry was confirmed, he recalled, during a tent revival he attended as an 18-year-old. “Shortly thereafter,” he said, “I was commissioned and later ordained into the ministry by Sherwood Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Michael Catt.”
Speaking of his longtime friend, Dervan praised his willingness to serve however is needed. “Garrett has faithfully served the local church for almost 25 years,” he said, “and has excelled in each role that the Lord placed him in.”
Grubbs holds a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Preaching from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as the lead pastor at Crossroads for the last three years. Prior to that, he spent 17 years at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, “focusing on the next generation and helping preach as needed.” Grubbs’ first full-time ministry position was as the student pastor at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Dothan, Ala., where he served for almost four years.
“Any of us can shine when walking through the Sunny days of ministry but I have seen him walk challenging days and still depend on the Lord and not negate his responsibilities,” said Dervan, “He’s been faithful in the small things repeatedly.
Grubbs and his wife Traci of 24 years have two children: Caleb, age 14, and Chaney, age 12, through the miracle of adoption. “Family is incredibly important to us,” reflected Grubbs, “and we cherish the time we spend together.”
Grubbs has previously served the Georgia Baptist Convention in other roles. He has been on the Georgia Baptist Nominating Committee as well as the Credentials Committee.
In 2023, Crossroads Baptist gave 6.1% of undesignated receipts to the Cooperative Program. Since 2021, the church has given more than $220,500 to mission offerings such as Annie Armstrong, Lottie Moon, and Mission Georgia. The church has reported 132 baptisms between 2021-2024.
Grubbs said he is “excited about our calling to disciple, evangelize, and fulfill God’s mission within our communities and beyond. Southern Baptists have a long heritage of doctrinal integrity and mission-minded ministry. What excites me most is our shared commitment to the Great Commission and reaching the lost.” Specifically, Grubbs is looking forward “to fostering collaboration and communication among our churches to advance these goals and continue the legacy of strong support for each other.”
“Garrett is a bridge builder,” Dervan explained. “I believe he will leverage the gifts given to him by the Lord to help connect young pastors back to Georgia Baptist. I know that he will serve with dignity and grace because that’s who he is.”
Dervan also extolled his friend’s humility, “I’ve never known him to fight to be in the spotlight or want attention,” he said, “He has a deep love for Jesus and walks with Him closely.”
Grubbs is passionate in his love for Jesus and desire to make Him known. “I believe that through prayer, unity, and intentionality,” he said, “we can truly impact Georgia and beyond with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
