Christian leaders from throughout Alabama gathered in Montgomery Wednesday for a prayer rally on the steps of the Alabama State House.

Afterwards, they held a lunch meeting at the nearby RSA Plaza. One key item at the lunch meeting was the naming of the “Dan Ireland Salt and Light Award.”

It goes annually to Alabama’s outstanding Christian civic affairs leader. The award is named for the late Rev. Dan Ireland, longtime Christian lobbyist at the Alabama Legislature and head of ALCAP, the Alabama Christian Action Program.

The 2026 recipient – Rev. Dr. John Killian of Fayette, Alabama.

Killian is a longtime political activist in the Alabama Baptist Convention and the Alabama Republican Party. When a moral issue comes up in Alabama, Dr. Killian is there leading for the Biblical position.

Nationally, when you say “the Reverend Doctor ….,” most people would reflexively say “Martin Luther King.” Not in Alabama. It’s the Reverend Doctor John Killian.

If you accused John Killian of being a “Christian Nationalist,” you would be inaccurate. He is one step beyond that. He is a “Christian Alabamaist.” That’s a term I made up just for John Killian.

God first. Alabama next. What’s good for Alabama is good for America.

John Killian has a Biblical worldview. If you wonder what that means, just watch the life of John Killian. His abundant life is the fruit of his Biblical worldview.

The Salt and Light Award is presented annually by ALCAP. When ALCAP leader Rev. Michael Brooks began the build-up to naming the 2026 honoree, he saved the name for last.

He first gave the details of the winner’s abundant life. Likely, no one in the room figured out the winner was going to be John Killian when Brooks began …“Our recipient was born in Wylam, Alabama (a suburb of western Birmingham).” Killian himself knew at that moment that he was going to be the surprise recipient.

Killian has been a pastor with his longest tenure at West Jefferson County’s Maytown Baptist Church for 18 years.

He has been the chaplain of the Alabama Republican Party.

He served as state president of the Alabama Baptist Convention.

He served as state president of the Alabama Baptist Pastor’s Conference.

He is a sought-after speaker at gatherings of Christians and political conservatives.

He is a strong supporter of preserving our Alabama heritage.

He is presently executive director of the Fayette County Baptist Association, which is now named the director of missions.

Killian appeared to view his receipt of the award not as a benediction for past service but as a commencement of the next chapter in the abundant life of John Killian.

Most Christian leaders have the hope that, in the next life, they will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” John Killian heard those words from the other Christian leaders on Wednesday.

Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected]