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First Baptist Church Pastor Resigns
FBC Moving Forward After Pastor Resignation
FBC To Vote on Interim Pastor July 7

By Loretta Fulton

Dr. Ray Miller was named the new senior pastor at First Baptist Church Sunday, June 15, a little over a year after the former pastor resigned. 

Miller, 41, has been senior pastor at Crievewood Baptist Church in Nashville since 2016. While in Nashville, he also was an adjunct professor of Bible at Belmont University. 

Dr. Ray Miller preaches at First Baptist Church Sunday, June 15.

Miller was introduced to the congregation June 8, but his nomination wasn’t official until after the congregation voted June 15. Miller was nominated by a search committee consisting of Marci Cole, Casey Curnutt, Allan Frizzell, Jerry Hendrix, Debbie Langford, Lisa Lester, Paul Thames, Shelly Utley, and Myles Werntz. Frizzell, spokesman for the committee said Miller was selected for several reasons from among more than two dozen resumes. 

“The committee firmly believes he is a Spirit-led leader who has proven theological insight and operational excellence, but who also demonstrates a clear vision for the future of First Baptist Abilene,” Frizzell said. 

After the congregation voted 99.73 percent in favor of the nomination, Miller’s four daughters were presented with single roses and his wife, Sarah, received a bouquet. 

The following quotes from members of the search committee were sent in an email from First Baptist Church:

“We believe Ray has the heart of a shepherd and boldly proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Way to salvation.”

“Ray leads with humility and compassion. His preaching is biblical and thoughtful. His varied church experiences have equipped him to lead FBC Abilene and its many ministries.”

“As we began interviewing candidates, it became clear very quickly that Ray had not only the character and skills we as a church valued, but that he has the creativity and insight which can help our church see the gifts it has, but also the possibilities for faithful ministry in the future.”

Miller was introduced to deacons and members of the congregation in a series of meetings that were held Thursday through Saturday, June 12-14. 

Dr. Ray Miller, his wife, Sarah, and daughters.

The family consists of Ray, Sarah, and four daughters—Abigail, 13, Katherine, 9, Emma Jo, 6, and MacKenzie, 3. Sarah is a marriage and family therapist. 

Miller has years of experience, including leading a multicultural congregation with 10 nationalities represented, teaching college Bible classes, leading a church through a capital campaign, and starting specialized ministries. 

Miller’s education degrees include:

• A bachelor of arts in biblical languages from Oklahoma Baptist University in 2006
• Master of divinity from Baylor University’s Truett Seminary in 2009
• Doctor of ministry from Northern Seminary in Lyle, Illinois, in 2018.

For over a year, First Baptist has been led by interim pastor Matt Cook, who heads the Center for Healthy Churches. He was selected as the interim following the resignation of Brandon Hudson, effective April 7, 2024. Hudson’s first service was Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. He was selected after more than a year of searching for a senior pastor to replace Phil Christopher, whose retirement was effective Sept. 26, 2021. Christopher had served as senior pastor since 1995. 

Miller is  the 21st senior pastor to serve First Baptist Church. Located in the heart of downtown Abilene, First Baptist is one of the city’s oldest churches, having been founded on Dec. 17, 1881, just nine months after the city’s founding on March 15, 1881.

“Today the church is still as strong and vital to the downtown area as it was in 1881,” its website states. 

First Baptist is well known for its extensive outreach ministries to the city, including GLO (God’s Little Ones) childcare center, City Light Community Ministries, and a counseling center.

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene