A native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Breland was born in Columbia and grew up in Pascagoula. He earned bachelor’s degrees in Bible and psychology at Mississippi College in Clinton. Breland then attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. for a master’s degree in divinity.

As senior pastor, Breland will be responsible for preaching on Sundays, teaching and training on Wednesday nights, church administration, pastoral care, getting to know the people of the church and being involved in the Madison community.”

Breland, who is 59, previously has served at the First Baptist Church of Irondale and Jacksonville, South Roebuck Baptist Church in Birmingham and churches in Mississippi and Kentucky.

“We have only just met the people of the church on the weekend we went in view of a call to become their minister, but it is obvious to me the greatest asset are the people of the church,” Breland said. “I was also impressed with the mission work they are doing both in Madison and around the world.”

Currently, Sunday school and worship attendance averages 200 people.

In his spare time, Breland enjoys cycling, golf, gardening, riding his motorcycle and reading.

His wife Rene Breland works for the Jefferson County Council on Aging in Birmingham and will be job hunting in the Madison area. The Brelands have three adult children:  Angela Spain of Hoover; Jonathan Breland of Birmingham; Micah Gardner and husband Ben of Birmingham.

“Each of our daughters has two children,” he said. “We have three grandsons and one granddaughter, all under the age of eight.”

The church’s former pastor, David Tew, served for 25 years. “Brother Tew was one of the longest serving Baptist pastors in Alabama,” John Hamilton said. Hamilton chaired the pastoral selection committee.

Sunday worship is held at 9 a.m. Wednesday prayer service meets at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary after a fellowship meal.

First Baptist Church of Madison is located at 4257 Sullivan St. For more information, call 256-772-9712 or visit fbcmadison.net.