Dr. J.W. Wallis, a veteran pastor of Baptist churches throughout metropolitan Atlanta, has been called as interim pastor of National Heights Baptist Church, Fayetteville, effective Sept. 3. The church’s longtime pastor, William F. Scarbrough, retired June 30.

A resident of Fayetteville, Wallis most recently served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hapeville. He pastored congregations in Calhoun, Vienna and Dublin prior to his retirement in 1999 from McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville, formerly Second Baptist Church, College Park.

A native of Carrollton, Wallis earned his undergraduate degree from West Georgia College. He received his master of theology and doctor of ministry degrees from New Orleans Baptist Seminary. In 1986, he also became licensed in the state of Georgia as a real estate agent, and more recently earned the designation of Seniors Real Estate Specialist.

“I see National Heights as a great field of opportunity,” Wallis said. “It will be exciting to work with a church that has such tremendous growth potential.”

Wallis cited the senior housing boom in Fayette County as a primary source of that potential. The community’s proximity to outstanding medical care and a wide range of assisted living facilities creates a natural mission focus for the church.

“We have a call at National Heights to focus our ministry on senior adults,” Wallis said. “As this next generation enters retirement, they will need an attachment to the church as they grow spiritually. It has too often been the case that our churches have failed to meet the needs of senior adults.”

Helen Odom, a member of the pastoral search committee who called Wallis said, “Senior adults need youth and vice versa. I am grateful that our new pastor has a vision to bring the generations together at National Heights.”

Wallis and his wife, Willene, a math teacher at Lovejoy High School, have three adult children and four grandchildren who live in Alabama and North Carolina. Mrs. Wallis says she also is looking forward to making National Heights her new church home.

A luncheon reception to welcome the Wallises will be held Sunday, Aug. 27, at noon, immediately following morning worship. Members of the community and friends of the Wallises are invited to attend.

National Heights is on the corner of Old Norton Road and Ga. Hwy. 54 in Fayetteville. For more information, call 770-461-1704.

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