70th Anniversary: A Letter from Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam

What a Time to Celebrate

What a time to celebrate! I’m 90 years old and have been dedicated to vocational ministry for more than 75 years. I received a local preacher’s license before Christ Church was founded in 1955. I served as the third Senior Minister, so it is a special joy for Jerry and me to share in the celebration of the church’s 70 years of faithful ministry.

We can’t imagine anyone having a more creative and fruitful ministry…and unique!

• Creating and traveling the world in the leadership of ministries of The Upper Room

• Serving ten years as President of one of the nation’s outstanding seminaries.   

My calling to preach and pastor a congregation has been central. I left The Upper Room happily to accept the pastoral leadership of Christ Church. I struggled for months, and with reservation, left Christ Church to serve as President of Asbury Seminary. We returned to Memphis to spend the balance of our lives in this treasured fellowship.

When Jerry and I reminisce about our ministry, we always talk about Christ Church: having new members in our home once a month, Saturday Night Live Worship, launching the Emmaus Walk, and a new church plant in Russia.

I’m 90, but I'm alive. I’m praying for Revival and believe God has one more thing he wants me to do. I believe Christ Church, in her 70s, will be a part of that one thing. Bless you, our supportive family.

Maxie and Jerry Dunnam