By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – As a native of the Ensley area, new Siluria Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Michael Brooks frequently jokes with his congregation about moving “down south” a few weeks ago.

“My wife and I grew up on the west side of Birmingham, so we often joke that we are westerners,” Brooks said with a laugh. “We are getting a taste of the south side of Birmingham now. It’s a wonderful community.”

Brooks moved to Alabaster a little more than two weeks ago to become Siluria Baptist’s first full-time pastor in more than a year. Before Brooks’ arrival, Bob Fitzgerald had served as the church’s interim pastor since the church’s last full-time pastor stepped down in May 2013.

“Bob did a wonderful job,” Brooks said, noting Fitzgerald laid the groundwork for a seamless transition into Brooks’ tenure.

Before coming to Alabaster, Brooks worked as a pubic speaking and journalism teacher at Judson College in Marion for 15 years. Brooks said a pastor search committee at Siluria Baptist contacted him several months ago with the job opening, and he said the challenge of growing the church attracted him to the area.

“The church is poised for great growth,” Brooks said. “There are 33,000 people within a five-mile radius of the church. The challenge is making our message known and getting it out in the community.”

Siluria Baptist’s congregation is at about 100 members now, and Brooks said he is looking to expand it as Alabaster continues to grow.

“We are considered a medium-sized Baptist church,” Brooks said, noting the church benefits from its high visibility on Alabama 119 and its role as a polling place during elections. “We are looking forward to tapping into the growth of Alabaster.”

Siluria Baptist is located at 10696 Alabama 119 South in Alabaster, and offers multiple service times on Sundays. To learn more about the church and to view service times, visit Facebook.com/SiluriaBaptistChurch.