Russellville pastor retiring

By Staff
Rebecca James, Franklin County Times
Pastor Gene Balding will retire next Sunday after 14 years of service to First Baptist Church.
"I felt like God told me I had completed the job He had told me to do," Balding said.
He is the second longest tenured pastor at First Baptist Church.
Balding has been a full-time Pastoral Ministry since his graduation from the Dallas Theological Seminary in 1975.
Balding first became interested in the ministry as a young man.
"My pastor at my church in Memphis when I was younger saw potential in me. He approached me about preaching at a few churches," Balding said. "I was a little unsure at first, but he asked me if I was saved, and when I told him I was, he told me to tell them about that."
Balding has been enriched by his position as a pastor ever since.
"I love being able to see lives changed. Every Pastor loves seeing people come to faith in Christ, but for me, it was more than that," Balding said. "I also love being able to study and present the Bible truth to the congregation."
Balding said he will miss the relationships with the congregation and the friendships that he has made over the last 14 years.
"The long-term relationships I have built with the families in the congregation are what I will miss the most," Balding said. "I will also miss my staff. I've got the greatest staff in the world, and I have made forever friendships in this church."
First Baptist members honored Balding Sunday with a reception.
"We gave him a book of dozens of letters written by members of the congregation," Ministry Assistant Lynn Suddith said. "He told me that he hasn't been able to finish looking at it because every time he starts reading the letters, he tears up."
Suddith has been on staff at First Baptist for the past 16 years, and has worked with Balding for the past 14 years.
"He has been a great pastor," Suddith said. "Besides being a great pastor, he has also been a good friend to me and my husband."
Financial Ministry Assistant Betty Allison agreed.
" He's been an excellent pastor and we really will miss him," Allison said. "My husband, Stanley, and I both love him and his entire family dearly. They really have been a blessing to us."
Balding has no plans to slow down any time soon, and even has plans to make a tour of Israel later in the month. He also has plans to accept invitations to preach at other churches in the community.
"I've loved every minute of my time here as a pastor," Balding said. "This church has been a delight and a joy for me as pastor."