Joe Gardner, Associational Mission Strategist at Metro Peoria Baptist Association for 26 years, retired after serving for 44 years in ministry in May. Gardner has also served as an IBSA Zone Consultant for Region 5, which covers Metro Peoria and the Quad Cities area, since 2015. He and his wife, Becky, are planning to move to Bowling Green, Ky., to be near family.
The couple met as students at Union University in western Tennessee. He pastored in Kansas City while attending Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and was called to serve at First Baptist Church in Washington, Illinois soon after graduation.
A retirement celebration was held for him on May 5 at FBC Morton, where Gardner is serving an interim pastorate. There, Joel Newton, pastor of Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria called him a faithful servant. “He cares for the churches,” said Newton. “He cares for the pastors. He has a passion for the Kingdom of God and reaching those who need to hear the gospel. He will be missed in so many ways.”
Noah Lee, pastor of Tremont Baptist Church, said his family felt isolated after moving from Texas to Illinois. “I was looking to connect with local pastors for fellowship and encouragement. The church was independent at the time, so “there wasn’t a network readily available.” He reached out to Gardner, who “warmly received me and included me. Joe soon became a dear friend, trusted advisor, and pastoral mentor.”
Jerry Higdon, the Associational Mission Strategist for the Quad Cities Association, called him a great friend to pastors. “We are in debted to his excellent service and will miss him greatly.”
Gardner was also honored with a luncheon at IBSA May 7. The gathering featured lots of warm stories and expressions of gratitude.