PRESIDENT:
William H. “Billy” Austin is a graduate of
Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., and of Southwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. His wife, Linda, is a Registered Nurse. They have
a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Melanie Austin of Tuscaloosa, and
granddaughter Madison. In addition to serving as ABRC president, he has served
as pastor of several churches in Alabama, including: Duncanville Baptist Church,
Tuscaloosa; First Baptist Church, Tuscumbia; Hopewell Baptist Church,
Tuscaloosa; East Tallassee Baptist Church; Refuge Baptist Church, Tallassee; and
LaPine Baptist Church.
While serving as president of ABRC, Billy has served as
interim pastor of several churches around Montgomery. Billy’s
certifications include: Certified Assisted Housing Manager, Quadel Management
Consulting Company; Executive Level Certification, National Assisted Housing
Professional, National Assisted Housing Association; Certified Front Line
Technical Support Person, Project Data Systems.
He has also served as a member of the
Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and its Executive Committee. Since 1985,
Billy has been elected annually as Registration Secretary by messengers to each
annual meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
Freckles and Wrinkles
An elderly woman and her
little grandson, whose face was sprinkled with bright freckles, spent the day at
the zoo. Lots of children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a
local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws. A little girl waiting in
line next to him commented, “You’ve got so many freckles, there’s no place to
paint!”
Embarrassed, the little
boy dropped his head. His grandmother knelt down next to him. “I love your
freckles. When I was a little girl I always wanted freckles,” she said, while
tracing her finger across the child’s cheek. “Freckles are beautiful.” The boy
looked up, “Really?” “Of course,” said the grandmother. “Why just name me one
thing that’s prettier than freckles.” The little boy thought for a moment,
peered intensely into his grandma’s face, and softly whispered, “Wrinkles.”
Wrinkles are beautiful,
for they reflect years of wisdom and maturity. I suspect that little grandson
would have thought anything was beautiful on his grandmother. Grandparents are
special, and deserving of honor and respect.
“Cast me not off in time of old age; forsake me not when
my strength faileth.” Psalm 71:9
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