By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

After serving as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Pelham for more than three decades, Dr. Mike Shaw has announced his plans to retire in 2014.

Shaw made the announcement to the church on Sunday, Nov. 3, and thanked the church congregation and Pelham residents for their support over the years.

“My wife and I and our family want to thank God for allowing us to serve in one church for the past 35 years, and for the many friendships that we have made in the church and the community,” Shaw wrote in an email. “We are entering into a new phase of life, and we will always love and appreciate those who have encouraged us in our time of service in Pelham.

We are looking forward to retirement and spending time with our children, grandchildren and friends,” he wrote.

Shaw has been serving as the church’s pastor since May 15, 1979, and will complete his 35^th year at First Baptist Pelham before retiring. His last day as pastor will be May 31, 2014.

Before coming to Pelham, Shaw was the pastor of the Carrollton Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. Over the years, he has served as president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention and has served on the board of directors for The Alabama Baptist publication.

He also has served as a mentor at Beeson Divinity School and on the Board of Ministerial Mentors for Samford University. He is serving on the Board of Regents at the University of Mobile and on the Board of Trustees at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Shaw has been recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus by the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Samford University recognized him as an Outstanding Baptist Minister of the Year. He received the Troy Morrison Leadership Award from the Alabama Baptist State Convention and he is a member of the R. G. Lee Society of Fellows at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.

Shaw said he still will continue to be heavily involved with Pelham First Baptist after his retirement, and said the church will work to have a new pastor in place by June 2014.