The Rev.
John H. Baxter, our minister since June 2000, began full-time ministry
after spending 31 active years in the Public Education System. Rev.
Baxter graduated from Washington County High School in Chatom, Alabama
and went to University of West Alabama (formerly Livingston University).
He received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 1961 and
later went to the University of Southern Mississippi for his Master’s
of Education degree in school administration in 1969. In 1976 Rev.
Baxter received the Education Specialist degree from University of
West Alabama (Livingston University). After entering the ministry
with the United Methodist Church Rev. Baxter followed the Course of
Study at Emory University that is provided by the United Methodist
Church.
Rev. Baxter retired from the Public Education System in 1993 after
having served as Band director; Assistant Principal in the High School
and Principal of the W. S. Neal Middle School. Upon retirement he
and his wife, Rev. Martha Baxter, went to Korea to teach in the Indianhead
School and to minister to soldiers from Camp Casey at the Sholom House
(a United Methodist ministry sponsored out of the Indiana conference)
Rev. Baxter began
his ministry as a music director at Catawaba Springs Baptist Church
in Brewton, Al. while still in public education. In 1988 Rev. Baxter
followed the call to pastor that he had experienced in his youth,
first serving as supply pastor of the Conecuh Circuit and later became
their pastor. Returning from Korea the Baxters moved to the Wiregrass
to serve the Lord through the United Methodist Church. While Rev.
Martha Baxter was serving Coffee Springs he served Pleasant Ridge
and Center Ridge churches. June 1995 found the Baxters moving to Columbia.
Al. Rev. John served Rocky Creek United Methodist Church and later
Grimes United Methodist Church was added to his assignment. In June
of 2000 Rev. John Baxter was assigned to Denton Road United Methodist
Church. Denton Road is a growing church with varied ministries that
has offered many challenges to the church and to Rev. Baxter.
