The senior minister at Roanoke's First Baptist Church -- home of the largest church membership in Virginia west of Lynchburg -- will resign Oct. 23.

The Rev. James Austin, who has shepherded the congregation since March 2001, and brought a devotion to missions to the Roanoke church on Third Street downtown, told parishioners of his resignation at the evening service Wednesday. He declined to be interviewed Thursday about his plans. But he did issue a statement and will relay the news to the full congregation at services Sunday.

"I will be eternally grateful for the lifelong friendships made here, the precious lives changed here, and the genuine love demonstrated here to me and my family,'' he wrote. "I believe the First Baptist Church family should continue to be optimistic regarding its future, faithful regarding its benevolent service, and bold regarding its Christian faith and witness.''

Several people at the church said Austin will be working at a state convention, not in Virginia but possibly in Missouri.

First Baptist Church staffers declined to elaborate on the reasons for Austin's departure, merely saying, "The Lord has called him elsewhere."

Austin's imminent departure from First Baptist Church marks the third change in spiritual leadership at large churches in Roanoke this year, including Greene Memorial United Methodist Church and St. John's Episcopal Church.

Austin has endured some rocky times and imposed changes in music, worship style and governance at the church. He succeeded the Rev. Charles Fuller, who was widely known in the Southern Baptist Convention for his preaching skills and throughout Western Virginia for his daily radio and TV broadcasts of "God's Minute." Fuller retired in 1999.

Parishioner Woody Turner, who has been a church member since 1981 and taught an adult Sunday school class until last year, said he was torn by Austin's leaving.

"I think the world of Pastor Jim, and love him to death, and think of him of a dear friend. I hate to see him go, but on the other hand, I understand because I know his heart has been in missions,'' Turner said. "It takes a lot of faith to uproot his family for missionary work. But, I understand he's following God's will.''

Chuck Davis, a church member for about 20 years, said the church's core group at the Wednesday prayer meeting and Bible study were saddened by the news. An announcement had gone out a few hours earlier to the church deacons.

"We were very much his people,'' Davis said. "He was very powerful in shaping the redirection of some of the things in the church. I would think there are literally hundreds of people who have gone into a missionary project because of his influence and example."

Davis said committees and procedures will be set up to find a successor. "I don't think we will have a replacement in four weeks. After all, it took us 18 months to find him,'' he said. "It was something new to all of us. It was a very sad thing -- quite a shock -- when we heard about his departure."

Church membership climbed by several hundred parishioners under Austin's tenure, to almost 1,800 people. Total membership -- about 6,000 people -- includes people who moved from the Roanoke area but didn't change church affiliation.

Austin introduced a contemporary service at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, where he wore Hawaiian shirts and the praise band played upbeat Christian music that appealed to young people. At the 9 a.m. service, there was the traditional organ music and hymns.