Dear Calvary Family, What a wonderful experience this has been for us!  We havebeen honored and humbled by your trust in us to search forthe new Senior Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church.  Your prayershave lifted us up throughout this process and we appreciateyour love and support.   It is with great excitement and a strong sense of guidancefrom the Holy Spirit that we bring forward our unanimousrecommendation of Dr. Monty Stallins. Enclosed you will find biographical information, sermon linksand testimonies of support for Dr. Stallins to help you preparefor the congregational vote to follow his Trial Sermon onSunday, June 28, 2020 at 11am in the Sanctuary.  Alsoenclosed is an agenda for the Trial Sermon Weekend withopportunities for you to meet Monty and Laura ahead of thesermon on Sunday.  We encourage you to read, research andattend!  If you have any questions , please reach out to us atcbclex.pulpit@gmail.com. Calvary Baptist Church Pulpit CommitteeJenni Jinright, Co-ChairDavid Shaw, Co-ChairTerry FreemanRyan HarringtonKelly HendersonJulia HutchensFran RohlfingMary ThompsonWade VanMeter

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your ownunderstanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make

your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Introducing Pastor CandidateDr. Monty Stallins

Pastor Second Avenue Baptist Church-Rome, GAJune 2003-Present

Minister of Christian Education & Discipleship Wieuca Road Baptist Church-Atlanta, GASeptember 2002-May 2003

Community MinisterWieuca Road Baptist Church-Atlanta, GAAugust 1998-August 2002

Urban Ministries Coordinator (Pastoral Internship)Wieuca Road Baptist Church-Atlanta, GAAugust 1997-August 1998

Ordained by Wieuca Road Baptist Church

McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University-Atlanta, GADoctor of MinistryAugust 2013-December 2016

Candler School of Theology, Emory University-Atlanta, GAMaster of Divinity, Magna Cum LaudeJanuary 1996-May 1998

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary-Louisville, KYAugust 1994-December 1995

Belmont University-Nashville, TNBBA, Magna Cum LaudeClass of 1989

AgentCharles Dorris & Associates/The William Morris Agency-Nashville, TNOctober 1988-July 1994

Board of Directors, Habitat for Humanity of Rome & Floyd County, GA2004-2006Vice Chair, 2005

Family Support Committee of Habitat for HumanityChair, 2007

Community Ministry Committee, Floyd County Baptist Association2003-2004

Candler Alumni Advisory Council2003-2006

Ministry Experience

on August 8, 1999

Education

Previous Professional Experience

Service Leadership

Dr. Monty StallinsResumé & Background

Born in Princeton, KYMarried since 1988 to Laura whois a middle school choral directorTwo Children

Ellen Hayes is a kindergartenteacher. She is married toEthan Hayes, an electricalengineer. They live in HollySprings, NC.Jack Stallins is currently astudent at Emory University

Personal Information

"Fomenting a Spirit-Led Insurgency:Exploring a Process for Developing a SmallGroup as Catalyst for Missional Engagementat Second Ave Baptist, Rome GA"

Doctor of Ministry Project Thesis, 2016Lesson Writer for Uniform Series, Smyth &Helwys Publishers

2003, 2008, 2012"Bearing Fruit as a Metaphor for Discipleshipin the Gospel of Matthew"

Masters Honors Thesis, 1998

Publications

Monty's Sermons can be viewed online at

http://www.sabcrome.com/media/index.html

Dear Calvary: To all in Lexington who are loved by God and calledto be God’s holy people: Grace and peace to youfrom God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. As I prepared to write this letter, I consulted thechief letter-writer of the New Testament, theApostle Paul for inspiration and decided toborrow some of his words.  Paul wrote his letterto the church in Rome as an introduction with thehope that he would visit them soon.  After severalweeks of waiting for our shared national tragedyto subside, I write to you with a similar hope.  So,I shall claim Paul’s words in Romans 1 as myown. I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all ofyou, because your faith is being reported all overthe world… and I pray that now at last by God’swill the way may be opened for me to come to you. As a native of the Commonwealth, I haveheard the report of the faithfulness of CalvaryBaptist Church for many years.  I have heard ofyour heart for Lexington and the world and seethe evidence of that heart in your missionalfootprint.  I have heard that you are ahealthy communion that embraces diversity ofthought, generous and compassionate.  For thatreason, I accepted the invitation of yourcommittee to explore and discern God’sleadership both for Calvary and our family duringthis process.  I have heard your heartbeat inconversation and discernment with thecommittee, who have represented you in anexemplary fashion. And so… I long to see you so that I may impart to yousome spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, thatyou and I may be mutually encouraged by eachother’s faith.  Now I am not so arrogant as to claim the powersof Paul; but like all of us who follow the call ofChrist, I long to be engaged in living that call atthe right place and in the right time.

A Note from Monty

Over the last few months, I have been humbled towatch how God has inclined my heart and spirittoward Calvary.  I believe God has prepared me tobe your companion on this part of Calvary’s muchlonger journey.  What I have—the gifts, passions,abilities and experiences God has provided—I willoffer you. And I will receive joyfully all that youhave to offer; so that we will be mutuallyencouraged by each other’s faith. My hope andprayer is that we will discern together where God isleading.  My commitment to you is that I will walkthe journey of faithfulness and follow Jesus withyou.

Like Paul, I planned many times to come to you (buthave been prevented from doing so until now). I havebeen waiting for this day for many weeks now, as hasthe committee.  Laura and I are excited that the timeis now here.  We are also mindful that this is still atender moment in all of our lives. We have allsuffered loss and experienced disruption in recentdays.  This time has been a surreal moment for ourfamily as we have been eager to join you but feel adeep sense of love for those with whom we haveministered for the past seventeen years.  We covetyour prayers for us and for them; even as we promiseto pray for you.  We all need to have time andspace to heal and to recover; but I am confident inthe grace of God to see us through to a new andbrighter day. I look forward to meeting you and exploring togetherthe call of God for all of us. Blessings,Monty

From Monty's References

"I wanted Monty to be my parents'pastor in South Carolina. It would take aspecial church and situation to get himto leave Rome." -Rev Bobby Morrow, Pastor PritchardMemorial Baptist Church Charlotte, NC

"Rev. Dr. Monty Stallins is one of the most accomplishedministers I have the privilege of knowing. He honors hispastoral call by always seeking to perfect his highgiftedness as a pastor, preacher, leader, disciple andprophet. He loves both God and people with a passion thatis contagious and inviting. I was Monty’s coach and a partof his oral review board for his doctorate. His was one ofthe finest thesis and projects the members of the oralcommittee had seen. I watched Monty collaborativelyengage staff and church leadership in helping his churchdiscover God’s next vision for the church. Deep churchrenewal occurred under his leadership. Dr. Stallins listenswell, is non-anxious, has excellent self-awareness, ahealthy self-image, is compassionate toward all andpassionate about the church. You will discover in Dr.Stallins that you have a pastor who will love you and giveyou his best in every way. You will find Monty, Laura, Ellenand Jack easy to love. God has once again led Calvary to anexcellent shepherd." -Dr. Harry M. Rowland, Associate Coordinator ofCongregations and Leadership, CBF Global

"My husband, Richard, and I were privileged to enjoya monthly CBF ministers’ lunch with Monty Stallinsfor more than four years while we all served churchesin Rome, Georgia.  I was further able to work withhim on community worship events during Holy Weekeach year. Monty became a good friend and a closecoworker. We especially came to appreciate hiscommitment to community ministry, and his churchhad a meaningful and important presence in theRome community. Monty will serve you well inLexington, and he will be missed in Rome!" -Melissa Callison Kremer, Assistant to theCoordinator of CBF/GA, and former AssociateMinister at Garden Lakes Baptist Church, Rome, GA

"I heartily commend to you and celebrate with youthe selection of Reverend Monty Stallins as SeniorPastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Lexington. Monty is a wonderful and thoughtful preacher,experienced and wise leader, and caring andcompassionate pastoral presence.  The congregationof Calvary Baptist Church and the broader Lexingtoncommunity will benefit greatly from his unwaveringcommitment to Jesus Christ and deep desire to bringothers into a transformational relationship withGod.  Monty will be an excellent Senior Pastor whowill lead Calvary Baptist into this next, wonderfulseason of ministry."-Jody Long-Executive Coordinator, CooperativeBaptist Fellowship of Georgia

Dr. Rob Nash has the “deepest appreciation” forMonty’s gifts, which he feels are numerous, being a“gifted preacher” among them.  He describes Montyas a “steadying presence” and a “brilliant thinkerabout mission and the church”.  He took his presentcongregation to “a new level of thinking” about theirplace in their racially diverse community, helpingthem “to really think about what it means to becalled to the community”.  Dr. Nash feels that havingMonty come to our church at this time would mean“getting him at a good time in his career as he hashad time to learn a lot about himself”.  Says Dr.Nash, “sometimes you get a person who is smart, butnot warm and fuzzy, Monty has both attributes.” -Dr. Rob Nash, Associate Dean for the Doctor ofMinistry program at McAfee School of Theology.

Comments From Committee Members

"Since many congregations today post their services, orat least the sermons, on their web sites or other forms ofsocial media, part of our pastor search process has beenviewing sermons from possible candidates. Early on thesermons delivered by Monty Stallins caught my attention.He has a gift of making a point without being too “wordy”in the process. And I discovered through phone calls andpersonal interviews this carries over into his personalconversations. He is a most effective communicator."-Terry Freeman

"Monty's deeply engaging preaching skills aresurpassed only by his immense passion forempowering a congregation to discern God's visionand to use their gifts, talents, and abilities to live outthat vision to spread the love of Christ. I am humbledand excited by Calvary's possibilities under Monty'sshepherding leadership." - Kelly Henderson

“I wish you all could have walked this journey with usas we felt God leading us to Monty.  Over the monthswe spent getting to know him and Laura, I had such asense of peace in his presence and his answers gaveme surety of his calling to serve at Calvary.  Asidefrom his wonderful sermons and pulpit presence, hisdesire to be relational and the importance he placeson pastoral care initially drew me to Monty.  As a lifelong member of Calvary, to me, this is the foundationof who we are.  Monty’s willingness to thinkcreatively, lead collaboratively, walk beside thecongregation and cast a vision together makes meexcited to see what God has in store for Calvary!”- Jenni Jinright

"Early on in our process and after listening tosermons of our candidates, I found myselfjust enjoying listening to Monty's sermonslike I would as a congregational member andnot just a member of the search committee.With every sermon and interview, it wasclear to me where God was leading Calvary."-Wade VanMeter

"Beginning with our first conversation withMonty, his easy and patient manner made himvery relatable to me and I felt like I was talking toMY pastor, instead of THE pastor.  He hasreminded us more than once that relationshipsand pastoral care are the foundation of ministryand he emphasizes the importance of getting toknow the members of Calvary.  You will enjoylistening to his sermons, but even more so Ibelieve you will enjoy getting to know him asYOUR pastor."- David Shaw

Trial Sermon Weekend Schedule

Confidentiality StatementIf Dr. Stallins is called as pastor to Calvary a means to congratulate

and support him will be made available. However, he will discern thebest time to communicate the news with his current congregation. Inorder to protect his privacy, and out of respect for our sister church,PLEASE DO NOT post/share about our Candidate's identity on socialmedia (no pictures, name of Candidate, current church info, etc). We

also ask that you refrain from contacting him via social media orthrough his current church.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

This video will be posted on Calvary's Website after the Watch Party.Congregation's questions answered by the Candidate will also be posted on Calvary's website.

This service will be recorded and posted on Calvary's website after its conclusion.

Please sign up for your desired time slot on Calvary's website.

Event will not be available on Livestream as it will be the same as the service on Sunday, June 28

Candidate will be under the canopy of the preschool walkway. Please enter from High St or S. Limestone andline up through the upper church parking lot and exit onto Martin Luther King Blvd.

Please sign up for your desired time slot on Calvary's website.

To ask questions, please join via Zoom (link will be on Calvary's website) or call 1(312)626-6799, enter themeeting id: 88252408784# choose option 1#, then the password 150#Virtual Voting Ballot will be located on Calvary's WebsiteCall-In Voting will be available by calling the church office at 859-254-3491

Wednesday, June 24th: 6:00pm - Watch Party for Pulpit Committee Introduction/Endorsement Video on Calvary's YouTube Channel

Thursday, June 25th: 7:00pm - Pastor Candidate and Spouse Testimony & Introduction, In Person Casual Service with Elected Leadership Only (Fellowship Hall/Zoom)

Friday, June 26th: 1:00pm-5:30pm - Small Group Zoom Meetings

Saturday, June 27th: 9:00am - In Person Trial Sermon Service for Vulnerable Population (Sanctuary)

10:00am-12:00pm - Drive Through Meet and Greet

1:30pm-6:00pm - Small Group Zoom Meetings

Sunday, June 28th: 11:00am - Trial Sermon Service (Sanctuary/Livestream at Home/Fellowship Hall/WVLK Radio)12:00pm - Business Meeting (Sanctuary/Zoom)

All Voting will be closed at 12:30pm. Please make sure to vote before that time.

We anticipate this weekend to be a great time of getting to know Dr. Stallins and his wife Laura, both virtuallyand in-person. It is our hope that you would take advantage of every opportunity we have provided to learn

about the candidate, his family, and his ministry!