Very few people in present-day America work for one employer their entire lives. Such was the case with Paul Miller.
While serving his country in Vietnam, Miller heard the call to work in the field of Christian child development. That’s exactly where God led, and Miller came back to Alabama and worked for Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH). He started as an intern and rose through the ranks to the Presidency.
Miller died on July 2 at the age of 83. He had retired from the ABCH in 2012 but remained active.
Miller served first at ABCH’s original Troy campus as a social worker, then for 15 years as superintendent of the Mobile campus.
The next jump in responsibility was a big one. Miller was selected as ABCH president and served in that role for the remainder of his active career.
Miller led transformational changes at ABCH. He added foster care programs in Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan and Oxford. He moved the ABCH headquarters from Troy to Birmingham.
When Miller retired in 2012, he had served ABCH, the children and his God for 40 years.
Miller said at the time of his retirement:
“I’ve had the privilege of living out here in Alabama what I feel was a distinct call to Christian child care. Serving here, you feel like you are able to be a part of making life better for children who have known a great deal of pain and disappointment, to help them know the love of God and develop their potential.”
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. — Matthew 25:21 KJV
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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