James Mercer recently celebrated 30 years as pastor of Hollinger’s Island Baptist Church, Mobile, and he says some things have changed since he arrived in 1988.
The church has built an education building. It hosted the Vietnamese Mission of Mobile for 10 years before that congregation moved to a building of its own. Hollinger’s Island Baptist fostered South Mobile Baptist Church and watched it grow.
But other things haven’t changed at all, Mercer said.
“The years go by and still things remain the same — you’ve got people who need ministry and families who are hurting and need help. And you as a church are there for them,” he said.
Through the years, Mercer has watched children grow up and become parents, and parents grow up and become grandparents. He’s been able to walk alongside them through happiness and heartache.
“Getting to be a part of a community for so long is a definite blessing from the Lord,” he said.
Thomas Wright, executive director of Mobile Baptist Association, said Mercer shows what can happen by faithfully serving the Lord, the congregation and the community.
Mercer also “recognizes the importance of interaction with other ministers and congregations for mutual encouragement, advice and effectiveness in reflecting Acts 1:8,” Wright said.
Before coming to Hollinger’s Island Baptist, Mercer served as pastor of Antioch East Baptist Church, Greenville, and Pike Road Baptist Church. (Grace Thornton)
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