Guillott passes the baton to Fowler in Catalina Association

After years of balancing two jobs, John Guillott is planning to end his ministry the same way he started it — focused solely on pastoring a local church.

On Sept. 30, Guillott retired as the associational mission strategist for the Catalina Baptist Association (CBA) in Tucson after 17 years. Before that, he served in the same role in the Dakotas for nine years.

“You realize there are seasons of ministry, and I want to end my ministry pastoring a church, because that was my initial calling,” said Guillott, 75. He will continue serving as senior pastor at Green Valley Baptist Church, where he has worked since 2011.

Pastor Timbo Fowler of One Hope Church is the new associational mission strategist. Fowler moved to Tucson from central Texas about three years ago to plant One Hope Church, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary this October. Because his new role at the CBA is part time, he will continue to serve as senior pastor for his church.

“This is a position that fits what I do,” Fowler said, adding that he was already passionate about cooperating with and encouraging other pastors to reach Tucson and beyond.

In his 36 years of ministry, Fowler said, he has served in a range of pastoral roles, including worship, college, discipleship and spiritual development. He adds that he’s been a minister of education and a church planter four times.

“Other than senior adults, I have done just about every job you can think of in the church that can be done,” he said.

As he takes on this new role, he aims to focus on the four questions posed by the Arizona Mission Network’s executive director, Monty Patton — Who’s your one? Who’s your next? Where’s your next? How can you help?

Fowler plans to apply those questions to the areas of prayer, fellowship, missions, church planting and church health.

“Timbo has lived on mission through his ministry, so that’s going to be a great asset for him in helping the churches in Catalina,” Guillott said.

The Catalina Baptist Association is comprised of about 65 churches and ministries, he added.

In the last 17 years, Guillott said he has seen God bring “kingdom-minded” pastors to Tucson.

“We’ve been able to build strong relationships in the association with each other, and I think we’re a healthier association than what I inherited in 2008,” he said, noting that the association provides pastors two opportunities to gather each month for a breakfast and prayer time. “We care about each other and work together.”

Because Fowler spent two years in Tucson before launching One Hope Church, he had the opportunity to get to know pastors and visit churches all over the city on Sunday mornings.

“What really compelled me to the job is serving these pastors,” he said. “I’ve seen pastors sometimes discouraged because it’s a really tough time. Inch by desert inch, they’re trying to take ground for the kingdom … and I want to encourage these guys. … I’ve been there and others have lifted me up, and John Guillott has lifted me up.”

Johanna Willett, a freelance writer living in Tucson, is a member of Mountain View Baptist Church, Tucson.