Q & A

“Who is Pastor Betty? How did she get here?”

With a background in retail and large-scale manufacturing accounting, Pastor Betty comes from a family of hard workers, Hispanic heritage, and community-minded spirit. Originally from Texas, she grew up in Mississippi and moved to Mobile with her husband, Pastor David Massey, a pilot, in the late 1980’s.

“How did you decide to become a Pastor?”

Pastor Betty describes the ministry as an “honest calling” that she and David discovered one day as they were driving in the car, talking together. Neither had any idea the other had been feeling called to serve. She admits she shed tears realizing they both had the same vision, yet neither had voiced it until that moment.

“I was in the ministry before I was a minister. That’s how David and I found our calling. We were nurtured by a church that fostered that feeling of commitment to God, and God’s people, and community. We try to encourage and serve one another and the community as God intended,” said Betty.

“Do Pastors Betty and David serve together?”

Betty and David went through seminary together, and are now both senior pastors. While Pastor David currently serves a church in Pensacola, they both feel strongly that they truly serve together, no matter the physical location of their congregations.

“What is your approach?”

The Disciples of Christ phrase that sums up the denomination’s mission, “a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world,” is what Fairhope Christian Church (DOC) strives for, according to Pastor Betty. She clarified: “This does not mean that we are trying to heal all of the social justice issues. It’s about a soul hunger. Our job is to plant the seed, the Holy Spirit’s job is to water, and God ends up bringing the fruit to bear.”

“Do you have a home church? We hope you do! If not, we have a place for you.”

“Is Pastor Betty the first female Senior Pastor?”

Pastor Betty happens to be the first female Senior Pastor to serve at Fairhope Christian Church (DOC), but she prefers not to focus on that detail.

“What is the atmosphere like at Fairhope Christian Church (DOC)?”

According to Anya Scott, Administrative Assistant, Fairhope Christian Church (DOC): “It’s a slice of life from 1960! It’s warm, inviting, genuine, everyone knows each other, and we sing from the hymnbooks. Pastor Betty is entirely personable. She meets you where you are, both figuratively and literally. She will come to your home, she’ll come talk with you in the hospital, she’s the REAL DEAL”

“Who comprises the family of the Fairhope Christian Church (DOC)?”

After the Covid-19 Pandemic, attendance on Sundays dropped significantly. Pastor Betty said many members are in their 70’s, 80’s and going strong at 90 years young and counting. “The congregation welcomes singles, young families, new residents, and anyone looking to join a warm, inviting, caring community who strive to make/be disciples.”