American Baptist Convention

Al Gilbert to lead NAMB's 'Love Loud'

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- The North American Mission Board's ministry evangelism emphasis is charting a new direction and new opportunities with a new executive director. Al Gilbert, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., has accepted the new leadership role.

NAMB is calling the initiative "Love Loud."

NAMB President Kevin Ezell noted: "Our Send North America strategy is to penetrate lostness through church planting. That includes planting churches in North America's inner cities and mobilizing churches and communities to show people God's love and point them to a relationship with Christ. We will be intentional in connecting people to new or existing Southern Baptist churches."

NAMB's vice president for evangelism and leadership development, Larry Wynn, welcomed the fellow native Georgian to his team.

"Al brings high energy and real passion for taking the Gospel to the world," Wynn said. "He is a leader in SBC life and a practitioner of loving people to faith in Christ."

Gilbert will give direction to the new Love Loud team at NAMB beginning in September after serving the last nine years as Calvary's senior pastor. Gilbert, who also serves on the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, said he is excited and humbled by the opportunity.

"I have a passion for following God's heart and helping God's people follow Him in missional living," Gilbert said. "I derive great joy in helping God's people discover God's passion."

In his first year at Calvary, Gilbert led the church to have an even greater impact in Winston-Salem. "Basically, I asked them to help us discover how a church with a great missions heart that was involved in missions internationally could have a local impact."

After a year of study and preparation, Calvary held Love Winston-Salem, a one-week mission trip to their own city.

"It solidified my passion to ignite people to the reality of God's heart for the nations with God's heart for our neglected neighbors," Gilbert said.

Wynn said it was that intentional approach to ministry evangelism that convinced him and Ezell that Gilbert was the obvious choice to give direction to Love Loud.

"When I came to NAMB, Kevin and I started talking about expanding ministry evangelism," Wynn said. "Southern Baptists are good at building bridges, but we don't always bring the Gospel across the bridge.

In Honor of My Pastor: To Al Gilbert as he transitions to the ...

, As I reflect on our relationship over the past few years I am very appreciative of Al’s friendship. There have been times where I have come to him vulnerable about personal struggles, there have been many times where we have had good belly laughs, there have been times where we have had disagreements, times when we have shared fellowship over a meal, and there have been times when we have cried together. I can say that in all those situations I have always walked away knowing that Al loved me, cares for my soul, and wanted to see the best for me. Or as he has often joked, “God loves you, and I have a wonderful plan for your life.” Our relationship is something that I will treasure, and make every effort to continue.

Second , as Paul was to Timothy – Al has been to me and many of us young pastors through the years. Al has placed us in leadership positions, “platformed” us, and given us chances to grow into our ministry roles. For his belief in preparing the next generation I am deeply grateful. Personally, both Al and Will have walked with me through some important times in my own life. They both performed my wedding ceremony, lead my ordination service, and have become not only great mentors but great friends. As Al transitions it will be different not seeing him on a regular basis, but I look forward to how God is going to use him in the life of our convention.