Dr. Robert Thomas Quisenberry, 34, of Morrow, Ga., was called Sunday as senior minister of First Baptist Church in the Golden Gateway by a unanimous vote of the congregation.
He and his wife, Maggie, a hospice nurse who currently is an admissions coordinator of a local hospice ministry in Morrow, met in seminary, where she also earned a master of divinity degree and is ordained. They are the parents of two sons, Caleb, 5, and Joshua, 1.
A native of Greenville, S.C., Dr. Quisenberry is a graduate of Clemson University, with a master of divinity degree from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (Va.), where he received a church leadership award and a doctor of ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga., where he received the John Nelson Award.
He served as associate pastor of students and young adults at Community of Grace Church in Richmond for three years, minister of education and youth at McGill Baptist Church, Concord, N.C., for five years and has been pastor of First Baptist Church in Morrow for four years.
He is currently serving on the coordinating council of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia and as vice chairman of the CBF of Georgia mission committee. He formerly served on the financial task force of Georgia CBF and as a member of the youth advisory board of the North Carolina CBF.
He is a former member of Good Shepherd Free Clinic's board of directors in Morrow and is currently serving as a member of Good Shepherd's publicity committee. His hobbies include photography, running, reading and spending time with his family.
"I feel my calling into God's ministry is to be a pastor," Dr. Quisenberry told the First Baptist congregation. "A pastor is one who peaches about God's love, demonstrates God's love and encourages others to realize the great love He has for them all. A pastor walks daily with people through times of joy and sorrow. A pastor is available and ready to help. My church experiences have taught me how meaningful the presence of a dedicated pastor can be in one's life."
The son of a college professor and an elementary school teacher, education is important to him. "I want to be an effective teacher from the pulpit and in the classroom. I want to help guide a congregation so that they, too, can be full ministers of Christ within the community. But I believe my special calling is to be one of His people among His people offering words and hands of encouragement and hope to all."
Dr. Quisenberry will begin his ministry at First Baptist Oct. 10.