Louisville—Longtime Kentucky Baptist Convention staffer and international missionary Karl Babb, known for his sensitivity and integrity in working with pastors serving in difficult circumstances, will retire after 43 years in ministry.
A former missionary to the Philippines who also served a stint as president of the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, Babb spent the past 16 years working at the KBC in various roles.
He and his wife, Susan, plan to make their home in Florida in retirement.
“Karl Babb personifies the core values of the Kentucky Baptist Convention,” said Steve Rice, KBC’s Church Consulting and Revitalization team leader. “He is trustworthy in every way. Pastors across Kentucky have shared private thoughts and struggles with him, and he is above reproach in keeping them to himself.”
Babb’s role at the KBC has grown more specialized through the years, moving from an all-encompassing family ministry role to becoming more of a pastor to pastors. He has served as the transition and conflict management consultant since 2012.
Babb has a doctor of ministry degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a master of education degree from the University of Florida and a master of divinity degree from Southern Seminary, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.
“He is one of the most encouraging men I know,” Rice said. “But possibly Karl’s strongest core value is his godly sensitivity. He cares deeply for people, congregations and his fellow employees.”
Babb served as a missionary, primarily in the Philippines, with the International Mission Board from 1975-91. He began his work in ministry as the pastor of Poplar Grove Baptist Church in Owenton in 1972. (KBC)