By Sarah Combs
Judson College
It was my pleasure and honor to write about a historical time not just for our school, but the whole Baptist community. Most of the staff of The Alabama Baptist (TAB) and more than 200 visitors came to celebrate their 175th birthday with us in the Marion and Judson community Feb. 6.
A couple of days before the big event, I got to chat with Mary Amelia Taylor, a Judson graduate and the college’s director of marketing and communications. She said the state Baptist paper “helps me feel connected to what is going on in the Alabama Baptist community.”
“It is exciting to commemorate the paper’s achievements,” Taylor said. “It deserves a moment in the spotlight.”
John Nicholson, pastor of Marion’s historic Siloam Baptist Church, agreed: “It is incredible being a part of the history. It does, however, get overwhelming knowing that I have the responsibility of carrying on this legacy.”
Touring locations
On the big day, I had the opportunity to talk with people at the four touring locations: Judson, Reverie, Siloam Baptist and Marion Military Institute. One woman, Judson alumna, told me, “I’m always interested in Baptist history and was a graduate from Judson, so any excuse to come back is great.”
In talking with Bob Terry, the paper’s editor, I got to hear his thoughts on how the publication has affected the lives of Baptists around the state.
He pointed out that “in every printing of the paper there is bound to be an article that will influence a person’s life.”
I also spoke with Jennifer Davis Rash, who will become the first female editor of a major state Baptist newspaper. As a Judson woman, this naturally led me to ask how that made her feel.
‘Sense of duty’
She said, “Grasping the fact that my tenure as editor of The Alabama Baptist will mark the first time a woman has served as editor of one of the major state Baptist newspapers adds to the honor and overwhelming sense of duty for this role in which God has entrusted me. The road to this point has been such a natural flow during the past 20-plus years and the sense of calling so strong that I can only look forward with anticipation about what is next.
“Being a part of such a tremendous legacy as what surrounds The Alabama Baptist as a communications ministry inspires me to do better than my best to add to the amazing work from the past 175 years and continue carrying out the foundational purposes for which the ministry exists.
“I am thankful to current Editor Bob Terry for investing in me, the TAB board of directors for believing in me and Alabama Baptists for trusting me.”
As a Judson woman, I too am excited to see what God has in store for the future of TAB.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Sarah Combs is a Judson student who serves as a staff reporter for The Triangle, Judson’s student publication.
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