Clippard names Taylor state evangelism director
JEFFERSON CITY – Gary Taylor has been selected to serve as the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) new state evangelism director, David Clippard, MBC executive director, announced Feb. 5.
Taylor, who begins his duties April 2, succeeds Bob Caldwell who resigned Jan. 31 to accept a ministry staff position with First Baptist Church, Arnold.
Taylor has been pastor of First Baptist Church, O’Fallon, since 1989. The church has grown from 328 to 840 in average attendance today with high attendance days of more than 2,000. Under his leadership the church has baptized more than 1,000 people.
Taylor has been pastoring since 1963 when Dresden Baptist Church called him as their pastor. Along with helping the church to grow from 15 to 40 in Sunday School attendance, Gary helped the church to dig a much-needed well.
His passion has been evangelism everywhere he has served, Clippard said. Every church has seen an increase in baptisms, attendance and giving.
He is no stranger to Missouri Baptist life, Clippard added. He has served in many positions of leadership including being president of the MBC in 1998-99.