In 1997, David Aker assumed the position of mountain missions director which had been vacant for five years. One of his first actions was following up on a suggestion from the 1996 conference to hold prayer meetings in five state park lodges.
Martin noted that a phenomenal move of God is occurring in Eastern Kentucky because of those prayer meetings, which he attributed to Aker’s influence and leadership.
Over the past 11 years, Aker has had a hand in planting 19 new churches, not counting six High Impact churches in the region that were started by the KBC. Today, there also are 67 ministries offering food, clothing and housing assistance, with a dozen of them started during Aker’s tenure.
“David is a strategist,” said Martin, now a missions consultant. “He led churches to become more involved in missions and developing local ministries. David’s strong points are, first of all, a love for people and a deep heart for people who have deep needs.”
Other tributes to the 66-year-old Aker will be forthcoming at the annual Mountain Missions Conference July 28-29 at Oneida Baptist Institute. A reception will be held the first evening for the outgoing mountain missions director, who retires from the state convention July 31.
Aker will not rest long, though. On Sept. 2, he will become director of missions for South Union-Mount Zion Baptist Association.
“I felt like it was a good time for me to step aside,” said Aker, who will relocate from Somerset to Williamsburg. “Someone else might be able to fit the role better in terms of new starts. It takes a lot of energy and a lot of miles.”
His new position will continue a longtime association with Kentucky Baptists that stretches back to 1955 when Aker professed Christ as his Savior at Eden Baptist Church in Mount Vernon.
During his time at Cumberland College (now University of the Cumberlands) he was pastor of Ringgold Baptist Church in Somerset. After graduating in 1964, Aker took a bivocational position at Providence Baptist Church in Irvine.
Aker then pastored churches in Vanceburg and Louisville from 1968 to ’75, when he became director of missions for Pulaski Baptist Association for 22 years.
Heart for Appalachia
Noting that his native Pulaski County is part of Appalachia, Aker acknowledged that Eastern Kentucky has long held a special place in his heart.
“After graduating from college, I went to Irvine to pastor and teach school,” he recalled. “I was just captivated by the people in Estill County. Any reasonable facsimile of them I look forward to working with.”
Randy Jones, leader of KBC’s missions growth team, said Aker’s knowledge of mountain culture, passion for associational work and desire to start new churches were the reasons for his effectiveness.
“David is very compassionate and kind and gets people to work with him,” Jones noted. “Plus, he’s an entrepreneur. He’s done good research and related well to the culture where he works. He’s a people person.”
In addition to calling those 1997 prayer meetings, early in his term Aker pulled together directors of missions, convention staff and individuals from the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. Discussions with those personnel helped develop a missions strategy for the region, Jones recalled. He said the eight basic objectives encompassed such areas as society, evangelism, the economy and church planting.
“He got the people in Eastern Kentucky involved by claiming ownership and got people to serve on committees,” Jones explained. “He got right to the grassroots and said, ‘What needs to be done? What can we do to help you?’”
Larry Baker, the state convention’s director of new work and associational missions, said Aker’s strong points include his understanding of Appalachian culture, ability to develop relationships and his commitment to meeting diverse needs.
“One of the things I’ve learned about him is he’s been a risk taker in the area of ministry,” Baker emphasized. “He thinks outside the box.”
According to Aker’s former assistant who now serves as missions mobilization coordinator for the KBC, people in Eastern Kentucky appreciate what Aker has meant to the region.
Teresa Parrett added that Aker is well known and liked and has a vision for what needs to be done.
“I am grateful to David for connecting me to the KBC and helping me to find my place in ministry,” she said. “He taught me so much and involved me in many ministry experiences.”
Friend and mentor
Bill Boldt, director of missions for Bracken Baptist Association, noted that Aker not only saw the big picture, but helped him personally while Boldt was pastor of Stanton Baptist Church.
Aker “was very effective in his ability to mentor me,” said Boldt, who recalled taking on a challenging project. “I remember he was there to encourage me, telling me to be cautious, careful and prayerful.”
Jim Castlen, missions director for Three Forks Baptist Association in Hazard, called Aker a good friend and a wise counselor.
“David has meant a lot to people in the mountains,” Castlen noted. “My view of his contribution to our association has been nothing but positive. I know South Union-Mount Zion will be blessed by his experience and wisdom.”
Castlen added that Aker also has preaching talent, recalling a sermon the retiring director gave at a Three Forks associational meeting a few years ago.
As he listened to Aker’s insights about missions, Castlen said he thought that it was one of the best challenges from a state convention employee he had ever heard.
“I thought, ‘If I weren’t already committed to missions and already a career missionary, I would have walked the aisle right now,’” Castlen recalled.
However, when Aker talks about his greatest accomplishment, he credits God for improving Eastern Kentucky’s baptism ratio. The region’s average of one baptism per 20 resident members is more than twice the statewide average of one baptism per 43 members, he pointed out.
“I really believe this is the greatest proof that God has been visiting us,” Aker acknowledged. “The KBC’s mountain missions program has contributed to that ratio. The reason we have a good ratio is because we get lots of help from volunteers.”
Western Recorder issue date: July 22, 2008
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