After executing a formal search for a new senior pastor over the past five months, First Baptist Church Winnfield is excited to welcome Rev. Brian McAllister to lead its 155-year-old congregation into a new era of spiritual growth and service. His first Sunday in the pulpit here as pastor will be June 19.

McAllister grew up in Winn Parish, a native of Calvin and graduate of Calvin High School. His roots in the area were considered a strong asset as the FBC pastor search team narrowed down their choice of candidates.

Lyn Bankston, chair of this committee, explained, “We received many resumes for our pastor position. Through the interview process, sermon evaluations, and deep dives into doctrinal beliefs, it became clear that Brian was the clear choice and the right fit for FBC Winnfield. Growing up in Winn Parish, Brian and his wife Melanie know the culture of Winn Parish and have a connection with FBC Winnfield with Melanie formerly serving as our children’s minister and Brian as our interim youth minister.”

“We as a pastor search team for FBC Winnfield and Brian McAllister and his family connected through the clear and precise direction from the Holy Spirit at the right time and at the right moment,” Bankston continued. “When the committee was formed, we developed a Pastor Search Survey because we wanted input from the church. That survey told us we were searching for a man that could lead us into our next season with leadership, vision, and a compelling plan for the future of the church.” The survey results also revealed the importance of a “man that could preach, teach, and pastor the church with love for the congregation and church staff in times of need.”

McAllister earned his Bachelor of Science in Religious Education degree at Louisiana College (now known as Louisiana Christian University) and went on to earn the Master of Arts in Religion (Biblical Studies) degree at Liberty University. During this time, he served various churches as youth minister.

But even before college, McAllister began to gain ministry experience. As a high school student, he worked with Scott Sullivan, FBC Winnfield’s youth minister at the time, to put on a rally for students in Winn Parish, and it was there that he preached his first sermon. He later served as an intern at FBC, eventually stepping into the interim youth minister role when Sullivan left.

Sullivan, now leading as Discipleship Catalyst with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, commented, “One of the greatest joys in ministry is watching God continue the work he begins in someone’s life. Brian McAllister is one of those blessings for me. I had the privilege of mentoring Brian and, over the years, I’ve watched him grow from a young man with tremendous potential into a faithful, trustworthy man of God.”

Sullivan offered words of encouragement to McAllister as he steps into this new role: “Know that God has been preparing you for this calling long before this opportunity arrived. Shepherd his people with courage, humility, and unwavering faithfulness to his Word. I believe in you!”

An additional “perk” of both the youth rally and serving at FBC Winnfield was that McAllister met and began dating his future wife Melanie Taylor, an Atlanta, LA native. At the end of the summer of his internship, the church collected a love offering which he used to buy Melanie an engagement ring. He and Melanie, who was then Children’s Minister at FBC, married in 2004.

A turning point in McAllister’s ministry call happened while serving as youth minister in Bastrop under the mentorship of Marty Black. He felt a love and burden for the local church and understood that his path forward was as pastor of a local church. He was ordained in April 2008.

Since this time, McAllister has sought to guide the churches he served towards revitalization and spiritual health through pastoral ministry, expository preaching, and building relationships with the faith family. “My family and I are so grateful for the Lord leading us back home to serve the wonderful people of Winn Parish,” he expressed. “It’s our desire to see lost people saved and our community transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

As Dr. Allen Jackson completes his time as interim pastor at FBC Winnfield, he noted, “The past six months has been an amazing season of reunion for Judi and me. Among the unexpected blessings of this time has been meeting Brian and Melanie McAllister. The search team worked with honesty, prayer, and integrity in finding the next pastor for this great and historic church. Brian and Melanie are returning home, and I believe they will minister in Winnfield for a lot of years. I appreciate getting to be part of the story that now will have many more fantastic chapters.” Jackson was on staff at FBC Winnfield as Education and Youth Minister from 1984-1989 under the pastoral leadership of Dr. Calvin Phelps.

McAllister has previously served as pastor at FBC Jonesboro, Bethlehem Baptist (Winn Parish), and Pleasant Hill Baptist (Union Parish). He and Melanie have four children: Madelyn, 19; Andrew, 16; Kaitlyn, 14, and Grace, 9.