Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Recalibrating, not retiring: pastor transitions ministry after two-decade tenure

After 19 years and 4 months, Fred McCoy is concluding his ministry as pastor of Houston Lake Baptist Church.
  • December 5, 2025
  • Georgia's The Christian Index
  • Georgia, Latest News
Pastor Fred McCoy, in yellow shirt, baptizes a 97-year-old woman at Houston Lake Baptist Church.
(Photo courtesy of the Christian Index)

Recalibrating, not retiring: pastor transitions ministry after two-decade tenure

After 19 years and 4 months, Fred McCoy is concluding his ministry as pastor of Houston Lake Baptist Church in Houston County, Georgia. He has emphatically emphasized that he is not retiring, just recalibrating and ready to write a new chapter in his life of service for Christ.

Houston Lake Baptist Church was founded in 1836, and McCoy’s tenure of nearly two decades at the 191-year-old church is a record, according to the congregation’s history. He concluded his ministry at the Warner Robins church on Sunday, Nov. 2.

For more stories at your doorstep, subscribe to The Baptist Paper.

SIGN UP for our weekly Highlights emails.

McCoy claims that his years at Houston Lake have brought him great joy. He declared, “I have had to grow, develop, and keep pushing myself to be able to stay that long. However, my greatest joy is the length of my pastorate here, the long-lasting friendships I have developed, and the ministry God has allowed me to fulfill here in Warner Robins.”

McCoy explained, “A lengthy pastorate permits the pastor to preach through books of the Bible and do series of sermons to strengthen and edify the congregation.”

Full story.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by J. Gerald Harris and originally published by the Christian Index.

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Food Pantry ministry ‘really making a difference’ in community
    Food Pantry ministry ‘really making a difference’ in community
    December 5, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Samaritan’s Purse plane hijacked in South Sudan; suspect arrested
    Samaritan’s Purse plane hijacked in South Sudan; suspect arrested
    December 5, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • First person: Christmas peace for the single parent
    First person: Christmas peace for the single parent
    December 5, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Food Pantry ministry ‘really making a difference’ in community

It’s amazing what a small church with a big heart can do.

Samaritan’s Purse plane hijacked in South Sudan; suspect arrested

A small single-propeller airplane belonging to Samaritan’s Purse was hijacked by an armed man Tuesday (Dec. 2) in South Sudan. The Cessna Grand Caravan was

First person: Christmas peace for the single parent

As a single dad, I spent many Christmas Eves alone. While I wrapped presents for my son, I sometimes wondered what he might be doing.

Legal updates regarding two SBC cases

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary remains dismissed from claims of defamation in a case involving the school and its former president, Paige Patterson, with the latter

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • Kids Edition
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Kids Edition
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel