Congregation celebrates Mobile pastor’s 60 years at the same church

MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — A long-serving Mobile pastor marks a milestone in ministry. Church members gathered to mark 60 years for their pastor at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.

If a church can be like a rock, Dr. Walter Vasser Senior’s name is literally etched in stone around the building. He’s seen decades come and go but he’s been a constant.

“Preaching and the love of people having a relationship with people, to have a right relationship with God and with people,” said Pastor Dr. Walter Vasser Senior.

To have the same pastor for so many decades, church members here say it gives their house of worship a bit of continuity that a lot of places don’t often reach.

“Our church has been stable. That’s one thing that I can say about the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. It’s built on a foundation,” said Church Secretary Francine Burks. Church members gathered Sunday to commemorate the pastor’s decades of service, a time that stretches through generations.

“It’s a milestone. It is something that he can be proud of and that we can be proud of as well, to have a pastor that stands beside us, that leads and teaches and guides us in God’s Word,” said Chairman of Deacon Board Elbert Cross.

It’s a service of celebration as they continue their ministry of teaching the Bible through Word and song.

“Coming here as a member, and I love the friendship and the love we have for each other,” said Church member Matty Pettway.

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