SPRING 2008

Shorter honors Mike Keown (’77) as 2007 Minister of the Year

Dr. Mike Keown (’77) has been named Shorter’s 2007 Minister of the Year. The award recognizes a Shorter College graduate who through service as a minister has made significant contributions to the welfare of his community, to Shorter College and to the Kingdom of Christ.

Dr. Keown has served as pastor of First Newark Baptist Church in Thomasville, Ga., since 1996. During his tenure, he has led the church in its growth from 40 senior adults to an average of more than 200 in worship and more than 300 members, has seen the church’s original debt of $240,000 paid off in three years, has completed construction of a Family Life Center and renovation and expansion of a worship facility, and has seen tithes and offerings increase 400 percent.

In addition, since 2004, Dr. Keown has served as the District 173 Representative to the Georgia House of Representatives. He serves as vice chair of the Special Rules Committee and as a member of the Health and Human Services, Natural Resources, and Education committees. He has a tradition of public service, having served as mayor of Coolidge, Ga., from 1986 to 1990 and as a member of the Thomas County School Board from 1990 to 2004.

Dr. Keown earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in social science from Shorter College in 1977, his Master of Divinity from the Southwestern Baptist Seminary in 1983, his clinical pastoral education from Baylor University Medical Center from 1985 to 1986, and his Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in evangelistic church growth from the New Orleans Baptist Seminary in 2003. He was ordained into the ministry in August 1974 by Hopewell Baptist Church in Cherokee County.

The Canton, Ga., native lives in Coolidge with his wife, Dr. Kathy Clements Keown (’77), who serves as Title One coordinator for the Thomas County Schools. They have two grown sons, Michael and Matthew.