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
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Atlanta missions director ‘Mary G.’ has served church since WWII

  • July 12, 2023
  • Georgia's The Christian Index
  • Church Life, Georgia, Latest News
Mary Gellerstedt serves as global missions director at First Baptist Church Atlanta.
(Photo courtesy of the Christian Index)

Atlanta missions director ‘Mary G.’ has served church since WWII

The 98-year-old Mary Gellerstedt — or “Mary G.” as she is affectionately known — started working at First Baptist Church Atlanta in 1944 as World War II raged.

Yes, she has served at the church for nearly eight decades.

“She started serving the church right out of high school and has been here ever since,” said pastor Anthony George. “I can almost assure you that there is not a church in America with a 98-year-old still on staff. She is greatly loved and appreciated by all of us.”

After high school she came to Atlanta in 1942 with the intention of continuing her education.

“I joined First Baptist on Pastor Ellis Fuller’s last Sunday,” she recalled. “Dr. Fuller resigned to become the sixth president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

“I was active in the college department of the church when Dr. Jim Middleton became pastor, and when I was 18 years old I was asked to work at the church during the 1944 Christmas holidays.”

Responsibilities increasing

Her first full-time role involved keeping records, but through the years her responsibilities increased because of her effectiveness and passion to serve. She invested much of her ministry in high school, college students and senior adults.

In succeeding years her heart for missions was honored when she was elevated to the position of global missions director, the role in which she continues today.

“We have 82 missionaries the church supports through our ‘Faith Promise Missions’ offerings,” Mary G. said. “I try to keep up with our missionaries and pray for them as they serve our Lord at home and abroad. We also send out volunteer mission teams all over the world.”

Under Mary G’s leadership the church also has participated in mission endeavors like “Baskets of Hope,” in which gift baskets were taken to children in local hospitals. They also have participated in causes offered by Food Aid International and, under her leadership, sent 1,250,000 meals to Haiti after various natural disasters.

“She was always willing to do whatever was asked of her. She even mopped floors when umbrellas caused the tile to be wet!”  noted Barb Sixsmith, executive assistant to the director of global missions.

“Mary was the one who asked me to be the local missions director at First Baptist,” added Paul Diamond, FBC associate pastor. “Mary and I go way back to our downtown location.

Mary G. noted, “Perhaps the greatest joys in ministry have been working with high school and college students.” 

“There were hundreds of wonderful youth and young adults who came through our ministry,” she said, “many of whom are now serving the Lord as pastors, missionaries and church leaders.”

Mary G. now does most of her work from home because of physical issues.

She attributes her long life to God’s goodness, and is determined to continue serving Him.


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

  • Memories of closed theme park open ‘floodgates’ for music minister
    Memories of closed theme park open ‘floodgates’ for music minister
    July 18, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Multi-generational flood recovery team deploys to Kerrville
    Multi-generational flood recovery team deploys to Kerrville
    July 17, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Creek baptisms spark ‘revival for your soul’
    Creek baptisms spark ‘revival for your soul’
    July 17, 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

Memories of closed theme park open ‘floodgates’ for music minister

When Joseph Hudson was called as minister of music at First Baptist Church in Cleveland, S.C., in 2010, he wanted to get to know the members of his new congregation.

Multi-generational flood recovery team deploys to Kerrville

After losing his wife of 67 years a year and a half ago, Peña said, “They’ve dragged me back into enjoying living again.”

Creek baptisms spark ‘revival for your soul’

Last month, Keith Springs Baptist Church held what many are calling a small revival, as nearly two dozen people were baptized in the flowing waters of a creek on the Money family property in Franklin County.

Texas volunteers offer help, hope to Hill Country families

“This, … all of these volunteers, it means everything to us,” John Vlasek said. “I can’t believe they’re here and helping us.”

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

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

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