The Alabama Baptist

Frank Willis Barnett (Oct. 23, 1865—June 29, 1941) purchased The Alabama Baptist of Montgomery in 1901 from owner and editor John G. Harris for $7,500. He then bought The Baptist Evangel of Birmingham and The Baptist Herald of Florida. In January 1902, the first issue of The Southern and Alabama Baptist appeared.

Leslie Lee Gwaltney (March 5, 1876—Nov. 11, 1955) was introduced as editor in the March 20, 1919, issue of The Alabama Baptist. Previously he served as associate editor of the paper from 1914 to 1916. The paper's office was in Montgomery at that time. Six months after becoming editor, Gwaltney moved the paper to Birmingham. He served as editor until his retirement on July 1, 1950.

Leon Meertief Macon (Oct. 25, 1908—Nov. 15, 1965) became editor of The Alabama Baptist July 1, 1950. As editor, he felt it was his responsibility to carry the torch for moral behavior and stand against unethical practices and people. Baptist beliefs were always in the forefront of his message, especially those of separation of church and state, priesthood of the believer, autonomy of the local church and caution against too much government in the denomination and in the nation. During his time as editor, circulation more than doubled from about 46,000 in 1950 to more than 106,000 in 1960. Macon said, “The Alabama Baptist is the newspaper for the Baptists in Alabama and we feel it must ever be free to inform the people, to deal with the problems of the times, and to seek to get people to think for themselves. It is a means of communication by which the church members can know the truth about the society in which they live and the church to which they belong.”

Hudson Doyle Baggett (July 23, 1923—Nov. 17, 1994) was installed as editor of The Alabama Baptist on May 13, 1966. He was introduced as someone who had been a preacher's friend and was a preacher “of no mean ability” himself. Baggett responded, “I pledge dedication to the task of seeking, interpreting and presenting the truth in the light of study and research. I covet your prayers.” In 1973, he published a special Sesquicentennial celebratory issue of the paper for the Alabama Baptist State Convention's 150th anniversary. In May 1975, he wrote about plans for the paper's new home, and in June 1976, the office of The Alabama Baptist in Homewood was dedicated, debt free. Baggett continually promoted all state and convention missions efforts and Woman's Missionary Union, using as his motto, Make light, not heat. On Nov. 16, 2994, Baggett presented the annual report of The Alabama Baptist at the state convention. In typical Baggett style, he included a mini sermon. The next day Baggett had a massive heart attack and died in Point Clear, Alabama, where he and June had gone for a quick getaway following the convention. Sorely missed by Alabama leaders and church members, “Mr. Alabama Baptist” would be remembered for his motto: Make light, not heat. He was serving as editor at the time of his death.

Bobby S. “Bob” Terry became editor of The Alabama on Aug. 1, 1995. His immediate focus was on quality journalism and statewide coverage. The Alabama Baptist has been named best regional Christian newspaper in America 11 times since Terry became editor. More than 200 individual awards have been received by the paper and various staff members during his 23 years as editor. To ensure statewide coverage, the paper set a goal of covering every association in the state at least twice each year, a goal it has consistently met. Terry retired as editor on Dec. 31, 2018, and is now editor emeritus.

Jennifer Davis Rash serves as president and editor-in-chief of The Alabama Baptist.

A native of Phil Campbell, Rash earned her associate’s degree from Northwest Community College, her bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Alabama and her master of theological studies from Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham.

Rash came to TAB in January 1996 as a news writer and worked her way up to managing editor then executive editor before being named editor-elect in 2015 and then the first female editor of a major Baptist newspaper beginning Jan. 1, 2019. Throughout the years she has helped lead the editorial team to win more than 250 national awards.

While on staff at TAB, Rash has served in a variety of national and local leadership roles. She served as president of Baptist Communicators Association and vice president of Associated Church Press, two national organizations for professional Christian communicators, and in various positions with Religion Communicators Council, Evangelical Press Association and Alabama Press Association. She is currently president-elect of the Association of State Baptist Publications.

Before coming to TAB she served for two years with the International Mission Board and Caribbean Christian Publications.