News

Nov 29, 2020

BIGGERSVILLE — Oak Grove CME pastor’s assistant Tracy Stafford was driving along an Alcorn County road just weeks ago near his home.

He passed Biggersville First Baptist Church and his wife of 21 years – Nicole – would say something which turned out to be wildly profound.

“I see you pastoring that church someday,” Nicole told her husband, who was active in the Stafford’s home CME church for 17 years, leading the male chorus, teaching Sunday School or being a church leader in the church where he was raised.

Two weeks later, the Southern Baptist all-white church called Stafford to be a supply preacher. After a month in the pulpit, the church congregation liked what they heard. But more importantly, they also liked what they saw.

Today Bro. Tracy Stafford has become the first African-American pastor to be ordained and licensed to the gospel ministry to the Southern Baptist Convention in the Alcorn Baptist Association of Churches, according to Bro. Warren Jones, Associational Missions Director of the Alcorn association.

Nicole’s words would prove true.

“Two weeks before I was called to preach, she called it,” said the 43-year-old pastor who grew up in Biggersville, graduated from BHS in 1995 and was known for his talents on the basketball court. “God has a plan for me. That’s what is good about it. I am right here at home. God is truly an awesome God.”

Warren said the church had immediate interest in the man’s talents.

“The congregation and Pastor Search Team felt inclined to ask him about considering being their pastor,” said Warren. “I suggested they interview him to check out his salvation experience and allow him to study the Southern Baptist Convention Faith and Message Statement and then ask him if they called him as pastor, would he be willing to become Southern Baptist?”

Stafford smiled widely as he talked about his decision, one he understands is bigger than perhaps one rural church in one Northeast Mississippi county.

“Bro. Stafford sensed God’s calling,” explained Warren.

And so, Stafford did. It was a leap of faith.

Seated in the fellowship hall of his new church at a dining table between Biggersville First Baptist Church deacons Tommy Allen and Brad Nelms, Stafford promised his new journey would remain humble before God, but said the excitement of what has happened can’t be diminished.

“I will be humble. Your spirit must be humble,” said the pastor, who is an employee of the Alcorn County Third District and is the assistant BHS boys basketball coach. “But I will say I am pretty excited.”

The timing of Stafford’s acceptance and the church’s calling could not have come at a better time with a nation at odds with itself, said Nelms.

“Our nation has a lot of division in it,” said the church deacon, an engineer at Caterpillar. “This is an example that if you love and respect each other – everything else will work itself out.”

“We have always been a church who welcomes everyone,” added Nelms. “This is another extension of that … this is another chapter in our history of welcoming everybody.”

The other church deacon agreed. “This is a coming together,” said Allen, who became a Christian in 2009. “It is God’s plan for our community.”

The church not far off U.S. 45 just down the road from the local Dollar General was established in 1969. About 65 attend services each Sunday. Nicole became the first African-American member of the church.

Bro. Stafford said he and his wife would allow their daughter, 16-year-old BHS sophomore Asia, to make her own decision on church membership. “The decision will be hers.”

Oak Grove remains dear in the Staffords’ heart. “I want my home church to continue to do well,” he said. “Oak Grove is a part of me.”

Stafford said they are proud of Oak Grove and the CME tradition with the Stafford family.

He mentioned former pastors Rev. Ida Price and Rev. Cheryl Penson and current pastor Q.H. Whitlock as all providing encouragement, wisdom and guidance in his Christian journey.

The son of Rachel Stafford and the late Charlie Stafford, the church pastor credits his faith to a quality upbringing.

“I had a strong mom and daddy,” he said. “Daddy would tear you up if you needed it. I was so fortunate to have good parents.”

The pastor also credits his sister, Loretta Stafford, for his strong belief and growth as a Christian.

“I saw God working in her life,” said the brother. “I wanted that crazy faith as well. So I went for it.”

Sis. Stafford is pastor at Warren Chapel in Mantachie.

Stafford admits his new role seems almost surreal.

Since he lives just two miles from the church, he often passes Biggersville First Baptist Church, eyeing the modest red brick structure with its Corinthian front porch columns and the tall white steeple.

“I used to say, ‘that is such a beautiful church’,” noted Stafford. “For me to now be a part of it is pretty special. The sky is the limit.”

As he said his good-bye to his deacons and offered a parting prayer on his new church and God’s acceptance and wisdom, he paused as he reflected for a second.

“I love the Lord,” he said, his voice full of emotion. “I am very truly blessed.”