John MullerJohn Muller Sr. began duties as director of leadership development for the 74 churches and missions of Lexington Baptist Association Jan. 16, one day after retiring as pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church, Leesville, where he had served 26 years.
He began his ministry at First Calvary Aug. 1, 1979, after serving as pastor of Zion Baptist Church, Walterboro, for five years. During his ministry, First Calvary grew in membership from 400 to more than 1,100 and moved into its current sanctuary and additional education facilities in 1994.
Known as a “community pastor,” Muller’s ministry was not limited to his church family. He ministered to hundreds of families throughout the Gilbert area. A member of the Community Area Ministerial Association, he helped organize a Thanksgiving service for area churches. In August 2004, Gov. Mark Sanford awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent, the state’s highest award for voluntary and community service, to Muller.
Members of First Calvary celebrated his ministry with several events, including a children’s breakfast, youth bowling party, men’s dove hunt and supper, ladies luncheon, and a Jan. 15 celebration dinner where Muller and his wife Roma were presented with a love offering.