By William H. Perkins Jr.
Editor
Dwayne Parker, longtime ministerial staff member at First Church, Flora, has been named the new director of the Discipleship/Sunday School Department at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB). He was approved by the board’s Executive Committee March 2, and will begin his new duties April 1.
Parker is executive pastor (2020-present) at First Church, Flora, and previously served the church as associate pastor of youth, education, and missions (2006-2020); minister of youth and education (1999-2005); and minister of youth and activities (1993-1996, summer 1997, and summer 1998). He is also the missions and youth consultant at Metro Association in Jackson.
In between those stints, he was an intern at Student Discipleship Ministries in Ft. Worth, Texas, from August 1997-May 1998, and August 1998-May 1999. He presently serves as a worldview teacher and chaplain at Tri-Country Academy in Flora, and was a member of the administrative committee for Metro Association (2017-2019).
Parker holds a doctor of ministry in pastoral care degree (2019) from Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.; a master of arts in Christian education degree with a youth concentration (1999) from Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth; and a bachelor of social work degree from Baptist-affiliated Mississippi College in Clinton (1996). He also graduated from West Jones High School in Laurel.
Parker was baptized at the age of 14 at Salem Heights Church, Laurel, where he surrendered to the Gospel ministry and was licensed in 1990. He was ordained at First Church, Flora, in 1999.
“The Great Commission [Matthew 28:18-20] is essential to the work of the church and our mandate for making disciples,” said Parker, who is not related to Shawn Parker, MBCB executive director-treasurer. “I look forward to serving alongside Mississippi Baptist pastors, staff, lay leaders, and churches as we embrace the Great Commission, focus on the process of making disciples in all age groups, and strengthening small groups and Sunday school.
“I am thankful for the leadership of Angie Boydstun, Ken Hall, Rene’ Edwards, and Tasha Presson [staffers in the MBCB Discipleship/Sunday School Department]. Each one is dedicated and gifted in their ministry area, and I am excited about serving with each of them.
“I am grateful to Dr. Shawn Parker, Dr. Michael Lee [MBCB associate executive director for church growth], and the Executive Committee for the opportunity to serve Mississippi Baptists. Dr. Parker’s passion for discipleship and Mississippi Baptist churches is unmistakable, and I am honored to serve with him.”
Shawn Parker said in a statement after the decision of the Executive Committee, “I’m very excited about Dr. Dwayne Parker joining the Mississippi Baptist Convention leadership team. Dwayne brings a wealth of experience in educational and discipleship ministries. He also brings cutting edge understanding of how to develop disciples utilizing Sunday School and other small group ministries.
“Most importantly, Dwayne is a humble servant who understands the value of relationships in the process of Kingdom work. I’m expecting Mississippi Baptists to enjoy and appreciate his ministry very quickly. I’d encourage all of us to be in prayer for him as he makes the transition to the Baptist Building.”
