MOODY, Ala. — Rev. Gary Odom, senior pastor of First Baptist Moody, told the congregation Sunday that the nation is in "a moment unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes" and that the church must respond with clarity, courage, and prayer.
A review of sermons available in the church's online archive found that Odom made the same characterization in February 2017, November 2020, January 2021, and October 2023. He described each moment as historically distinct.
In February 2017, Odom said the nation was "at a crossroads unlike anything this generation has faced." In November 2020, he said, "We are living through days that have no parallel in recent memory." In January 2021, he said the country was "in uncharted waters I have never seen in 30 years of ministry." In October 2023, he described the cultural moment as "a turning point that none of us could have anticipated."
Odom has been in ministry for 34 years. He was asked whether each of these moments was distinct.
"They are," he said. "This one especially."
He was asked what distinguished the current moment from the 2021 moment, which he also described as uncharted and unlike anything we had seen.
"The stakes," he said. "The stakes are different."
He was asked how the stakes differed. He said the cultural, spiritual, and political pressures facing the church today were compounding in ways that required a new kind of response.
He was asked what the new response looked like. He said it looked like prayer, Scripture, and community. He said it always looked like prayer, Scripture, and community.
Sunday's message was titled "For Such a Time as This." The phrase is from the book of Esther. Odom has preached from the same text on four previous occasions, according to the sermon archive. The message was not accompanied by a note indicating it was a repeat.
First Baptist Moody was founded in 1947. Odom has served as senior pastor since 2008.