Gary Fenton to retire as Senior Pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church

After serving as the Senior Pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church for over 25 years, Gary Fenton, in a letter to the church members, announced that his last Sunday with preaching responsibilities will be Aug. 28.

Fenton became the Senior Pastor of the Dawson Family of Faith in March 1991 after moving to Birmingham from Tyler, Texas, where he served as the Senior Pastor of Tyler’s First Baptist Church. During Fenton’s tenure in Birmingham, the Dawson Family of Faith has emphasized missions, ministry, and serving as the core of its DNA.

Additionally, many aspects of the campus have been expanded and facilities updated. Within the last 12 months alone, the 7,800 member Family of Faith utilized over 46 mission teams consisting of 600-plus people in short-term and long- term mission and ministry projects locally, in other states, and in 10 countries around the world. The church family has also given over $3 million dollars directly to missions and mission causes over the past 12 months.

Fenton has been involved in the Birmingham community and was a member of Leadership Alabama Class XVIII and the Leadership Birmingham Class of 2002. He is currently serving on the Samford University Board of Trustees, the Birmingham Salvation Army Advisory Board, and the Addiction Prevention Coalition Advisory Board. Fenton is a frequent speaker on the subject of leadership and is featured each week on CBS affiliate WIAT 42 at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

He and his wife will continue to live in Birmingham and be involved in ministry and community service. A Senior Pastor Search Team will conduct a national search for his replacement.

- Submitted by Abby Collela, Dawson Memorial Baptist Church.