Barry Camp announced Sunday that he will retire next year as senior pastor of Highland Baptist Church, 3014 Maple Ave., one of the oldest and largest churches in Waco.

Camp, 67, told the congregation of his plans during a special combined service for families and college students that attracted about 2,000 people to the church founded in 1923.

“My retirement will be effective May 1. At that time, I will have been here more than 20 years,” said Camp, who added the church’s leadership asked him to remain pastor during its search for a successor.

He became pastor on Easter Sunday of 1991, when Highland had a congregation of about 700. Today, Highland draws about 2,000 people between four Sunday services and regularly engages in building campaigns. Those attending the combined service Sunday gathered in the multipurpose center that opened about a year ago.

“The Lord has blessed us,” Camp said. “It’s not about the man. It’s about God’s sovereign hand on Highland.”

Camp said after retirement he will serve as interim pastor at churches looking for new leaders.

“You don’t retire from preaching. You retire from pastoring,” Camp said.

During the spring, Camp said, he will present a series of messages on leadership styles.

“Moses had a different style than Joshua, for example,” he said. “I’ll be preparing the congregation for change.”

Shelley Neimer, who has attended Highland for about six years with her husband, Brad, and their two children, said she was sad to hear of Camp’s retirement but wants the best for him and his wife, Martha.

“I know so many people who adore pastor Barry, and he has meant so much to our family,” Shelley said.

She said she would not mind having a new pastor close to Camp’s age because of the experience that person could bring to the ministry. “But a young pastor would have young ideas,” she added.

“I will give it a lot of prayer and rely upon the deacons and elders to do what’s best,” she said.

Judith Jaro, who said she has attended Highland about 30 years, said Camp “deserves some rest and downtime.”

She said she enjoys Camp’s sermons “for their practical answers to the problems in this world.”

Camp grew up in Sulphur Springs and graduated from Dallas Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He served as a pastor in Oklahoma many years before moving to Waco.

Under Camp’s leadership, Highland “planted” a second church in Waco called Antioch Community Church. It has exploded with growth at 505 N. 20th St. under pastor Jimmy Seibert.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

757-5736