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Southside Baptist Church of Andalusia announced Wednesday that Opp native Jerry Tyson will return home and become the associate pastor of students and missions and lead the student and college ministries.

“We are super excited to be back and serve Southside and the community. It’s a great community and will be great to be back with family. I love student ministry and being able to love on students like crazy and point them to Jesus. We want to make a difference for the kingdom,” Tyson said.

Tyson was raised in Covington County and moved to Opp in the seventh grade. He grew up in a non-Christian home but surrendered his life to Jesus Christ when he was 9 years old. An Opp High School alumnus, he attended Mississippi College where he majored in History and had a minor in coaching. He played two years of football before he gave it up to pursue opportunities in ministry. He received his master’s in Christian Education from Jacksonville Baptist Seminary in 2006.

Tyson celebrated 25 years in student ministry in August. In recent years, he and his family have been serving in Jackson, Mississippi, where he taught Bible classes for a Christian school. As a student pastor, he seeks to minister to all ages. His wife was headmaster of the school.

“I want to meet people and students where they are at. My ultimate desire in ministry is to pour into people helping them become disciples of Jesus Christ.”

In his spare time, he enjoys supporting all his children in their extracurricular activities, exercising, playing sports, playing the guitar, and spending time with friends and family.

Tyson’s first official Sunday will be Jan. 29 with his first day in office to follow on Monday, Jan. 30.

“We are so excited to serve again with Brother Jerry, Ashley, and their family in the days to come. His passion, energy, and deep love for Jesus and for all people shines through daily in how he lives his life. Our church and community will be brighter because of the work of the Lord through this entire family’s presence at Southside and in the Andalusia community,” Southside Senior Pastor Dr. Josh Wilson said.

He is married to his wife, Ashley, of 20 years, with five children: 16-year-old Kinston, 15-year-old Kenna, 9-year-old Michaela, 7-year-old Mikenzie, and 6-year-old Lily-Kate. The couple adopted the three youngest children in 2018.

Southside Baptist Church is located at 1213 West Bypass in Andalusia. For more information visit sbcandalusia.com or call 334-222-4300.