My biggest challenge is to help people to see that we live in a changing culture. Our message that ‘Christ loves all and is ready to save all who will come to Him’ must remain the same.”Dr. Stanley Kilgore, Pastor of Center Grove Baptist Church
CULLMAN – For the past six years, Dr. Stanley Kilgore has worked diligently to bring the congregation at Center Grove Baptist Church to the Lord. Fun loving and happy-go-lucky, Kilgore provides an excellent example of Christian love for everyone he meets. Devoted family man, Brother Stanley extends his fatherly love to all those who attend his church. He has worked hard over the years and considers his ministry to be the calling of a lifetime.
Kilgore and his lovely wife, Lynn has been married for 43 years. They have two adult children and two grandchildren. He is a graduate of Trinity Bible College where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies. He is also a graduate of Trinity Theological Seminary where he received a Master of Arts and a Doctorate of Religious Studies. Almost all of his professional calling has been spent in pastoral ministry and missions.
“I came to faith in Christ in 1975 and felt God’s call to enter the ministry in 1979,” Kilgore explained. “I arrived at this decision after a tremendous amount of time was spent in prayer. But there was also a strong sense, a divine urge that ministry was what God was calling me to do for the rest of my life.”
Kilgore has been the pastor of Center Grove Baptist Church in the East Cullman Baptist Association for over six years. He was also the pastor of North Gardendale Baptist Church in Gardendale for 21 years. Prior to that, he was at Westwood Baptist Church in Kimberly, Ala. for five years.
“My biggest challenge is to help people to see that we live in a changing culture,” he began. “Our message that ‘Christ loves all and is ready to save all who will come to Him’ must remain the same. But we must be willing to change the ways in which we can deliver that message. What worked 40 years ago will not work today! Most people will not just walk into the church today. We must be willing to go to them and meet them where they are,” he smiled.
When asked what the best part about being a minister was, Kilgore flashed a big smile and began talking.
“Without a doubt, my most rewarding moments are to see someone that I have personally discipled become a disciple maker. There is nothing in the world more rewarding than that. This is the model Christ has given us in 2 Tim. 2:2.”
“Center Grove Baptist is a Southern Baptist church deeply involved in missions,” he added. “We give at the local, state, national, and international levels. Our members are on mission several times throughout the year, both local and abroad. Our worship style is blended. I feel we are a loving and caring church. Our vans pick up children on Sundays and Wednesdays so we can minister to them.”
Kilgore is a beloved member of Center Grove Baptist Church. His devotion to God and his dedication to bringing others closer to Him are outstanding.
Center Grove Baptist Church is located at 4607 Co Rd 1545, Cullman, Ala. 35058. For more information, call 256-796-5346 or visit cgbaptistchurch.com. Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/pages/Center-Grove-Baptist-Church/138460674872.
