Rev. Richard W. Sibert preached his farewell sermon at Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church. After 40-years, he's passing the torch. He gave his retirement sermon at the Smithfork District Association on Halls Hill Pike Sunday (June 29) afternoon.

 

Sibert said he is not retiring from ministry, just switching roles of leadership. 

 

He said, "I have learned that God has favored me to pastor a great congregation of His people. We have grown in His loving grace together building His Kingdom. Just like God appointed me as pastor; He has another to fill His position for such a time as this to lead Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church to her next Dimension of Ministry and Spiritual Maturity. Humbly, I bid them God's Speed with much love."

Richard Walter Sibert born the second oldest son to late Mr. Sandish, Sr. and Mrs. Creola Sibert, Richard W. Sibert has served as Pastor of Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church for the past 40 years. First acknowledging his call to Ministry in 1972, he became a licensed minister under the leadership of Dr. James A. Lewis of The New Mount Beulah Missionary Baptist Church of Detroit, MI. A few years later he was ordained into the Ministry by Dr. J.L. Webb of the New Mount Vernon Baptist Church of Ferndale Michigan. Pastor Sibert proudly served his country as a member of the Armed Forces, a mission he embarked upon after graduation from high school.

He believes that knowledge is power. Pastor Sibert holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology and Philosophy from the American Baptist College of Nashville, TN, Class of 1980 and Master’s Degree from Emmanuel Theological Seminary in Nashville, TN, Class of 1990.                                                 

His many accomplishments during his ministry are great Biblical teaching, various soul winning campaigns, and community involvement projects. His numerous leadership roles include:

• Serving two (2) terms as President of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Tennessee
• Serving as Regional VP of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc
• Serving two (2) consecutive terms as President of the Missionary Baptist Convention of Tennessee Congress of Christian Workers
• Serving as Financial Secretary of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Tennessee
• Serving as Advisor of the Brotherhood of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Tennessee
• Serving as member of the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc
• Serving two (2) consecutive terms as Moderator of the Smithfork District Association of Tennessee
• Serving as Associate Chaplain of the Middle Tennessee Medical Center
• Serving as President of the Alpha Iota Nu Ministerial Fraternity
• Serving as Board Member of the YMCA of Rutherford County, Tennessee
• Founder and Chairperson of the “Vision” Newspaper
• Serving as Director of the First Time Home Buyers Association of Murfreesboro & Rutherford County
• Serving as Lead Organizer & Director of the Family of Victims Uniting the Community Against Crime and Violence (F.O.V.)
• Serving as Chairperson of the Legal Redress Committee of the Rutherford County NAACP          
• Serving as Assistant Co-coordinator of American Church Day on Capitol Hill
• Honored as Unsung Hero by Middle Tennessee State University 2013
• Recognition for Outstanding Leadership from President Obama
• Serves as a chaplain for the Metro Nashville Police Department
• Coordinator of 2018 Town Hall Meeting: Breaking the Chains or Violence
• Co-Coordinator of US Department of Justice Protecting Places of Worship Forum

Believing that doing the will of God is never done, Pastor Sibert is also affiliated several organizations.

In addition to his life long devotion to the work of God, Pastor R.W. Sibert is a devoted family man. He and his wife, the former Ms. Carolyn J. Hudson of Brownsville, TN are the parents of seven (7) children and the proud grandparents to thirteen (13) grandchildren and two (2) great grandchildren.