By Hannah Caver, Staff Writer
HUNTSVILLE — First Baptist Church of Trussville pastor was elected Alabama Baptist Convention president at the Alabama Baptist State Convention at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville on Wednesday, November 17.
Buddy Champion, First Baptist Church in Trussville Pastor and Alabama Baptist State Convention President. (Photo courtesy of fbctrussville.org)
Buddy Champion was elected president at the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Champion is a father of four, and husband to Lynn for over 30 years. Buddy enjoys the outdoors, Auburn football, being with his family, and serving in his church.
Buddy joined the First Baptist Trussville family from First Baptist Decatur in August of 2006. He attended college at Samford University and postgrad at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Under Champion’s leadership, First Baptist Church in Trussville now has more than 5,000 active resident members and 6,291 on the total membership roll.
Blake Kersey nominated Champion for the election and described Champion as “humble, meek, and servant led,” and also the “Nick Saban of Alabama Baptist.”
“The pastor who faithfully serves the Lord by feeding his flock God’s word and caring for them individually,” Kersey said. “I can think of no greater example of faithful servant leadership in our state than Buddy Champion. Buddy is the most authentic, genuine pastor, leader, and follower of Jesus that I have ever had the privilege to serve under.”
The Alabama Baptist State Convention State Convention includes more than 3,200 churches with approximately one million members. Each November, the Alabama Baptist State Convention convenes as a two-day meeting of messengers elected by affiliated churches.
Tim Cox gavels out the 198th session of the Alabama Baptist State Convention and passes on the gavel to Buddy Champion.
Champion said he received a message from his wife when he was elected president that was hashtagged “to whom much is given much is required.”
“I pray that I live up to what is required to represent you well and represent our Lord,” Champion said.
Tim Cox gaveled out the 198th session of the Alabama Baptist State Convention as president and passed the president’s gavel along to Champion. Cox said he was glad to pass along the gavel to Champion.
“Buddy, I hand off to you and I know you will lead well as you have already done,” Cox said.
Morgan Bailey, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Ranburne, was elected first vice president. Jarman Leatherwood, founding pastor of House of Hope and Restoration in Huntsville, was elected second vice president.
