LEADERS
Mike Kemper
Oak Street Baptist Church, Elizabethton, has called Joe Ledford as interim pastor.
Jeff Harless recently was called as pastor of Doe River Baptist Church, Elizabethton.
Mike Kemper is serving as interim director of missions for Gibson Baptist Association. He previously served the association from 1999-2006 when he and his wife returned to the International Mission board to serve as missionaries in Costa Rica and Argentina. He has also served as director of missions for Lawrence County Baptist Association and has served as a director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He has been in ministry for 55 years.
Meadow View Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, recently hosted a retirement reception for Jimmy and Lesa Nave. Nave served as the church’s pastor for seven years.
Brian Brantley is the new pastor at Hopewell Baptist Church, Maryville.
CHURCHES
Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek, will hold its fall revival Oct. 2-5 with Chuck Groover preaching and Jason Harlin as worship leader. Services will be held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday and 6:30 p.m. each night, Monday-Wednesday.
Peyton Creek Baptist Church, Carthage, recently held its 210th homecoming.
First Baptist Church, Gordonsville, will host a “Real Men of America” conference with Willie McLaurin, Joe Wright and Mike Biles. Rick Whitehead will lead the music.
On Oct. 4, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Knoxville, will be 125 years old. The church will celebrate its anniversary on Sept. 25 with Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and morning worship at 10:30 a.m. There will be no evening services that day. Former pastor Doug White will bring the message and former minister of music, Greg Bales, will be leading the music. Lunch will follow immediately after morning worship in the Ministry Center. All members, former members, visitors and their families are welcome. The church is located at 2200 Midway Road, Knoxville.
Auburn Baptist Church, Auburntown, will celebrate its 200th anniversary on Oct. 9.
Oakland Baptist Church, Springfield, will celebrate its 134th anniversary on Sept. 24 with worship at 10:30 a.m., followed by dinner on the grounds. The church also will host a gospel concert at 6 p.m., featuring The Lesters of St. Louis, Mo. For information, call 615-384-4327.
The Noah’s Ark Widows’ Ministry celebrated its 12th anniversary on Sept. 3 at Ethridge First Baptist Church. The group has had 121 total members over the years. Several members have passed away and some have remarried. With a circus theme this year, God’s Chicks Clown Ministry (which was started 11 years ago from the Widows’ Ministry) shared God’s Love through laughter. Pictured, bottom row, left to right are: Bobbie Huntley, Maria Massey, Co-Leader Debbie Griffin (Daisy Dee), Fay Dodson (Blossom); second row: Marlys Smith, Carol Belew, Jackie Hyde, Jane Jennings, Mary Kilpatrick Nail, Kay Stoneburner, Fannie Smith, Sally Riley (Elegant Emma), Betty Liles, Kay Parker; third row: co-leader Diane Hildenbrandt (Cooki), Wanda Pruitt, Margie Kobeck, Mary Kay Michels, Gail Renfro, Linda Huntley, Debbie Nutt, Pat Myhan, Sherry Jones, Karen Demorest, Janet Rae Franks, Janet Haun, Barbara Bunt, Pat Stewart and Jody Konig (Ditzi Rose). The group meets on the first Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall of Ethridge FBC, which sponsors the ministry. All widows are invited to attend. Any questions, contact Diane Hildenbrandt at 931-215-5996 or Debbie Griffin at 931-242-6102.
The Widow’s Connection, a ministry of First Baptist Church, Bruceton, recently presented hygiene bags to Amber Warren from the Department of Human Services of Carroll County Tennessee. The bags are for foster children. Pictured left to right: Betty Robison, Amber Warren (speaker from DHS) Pat Wilson, Jan Price, Linda Daniel and Judy Green, back row: Johnnie Ruth Bawcum, Mel Ivey (Pastor’s Wife) and Bettie Harris. — Photo by Rachael Williams
The Men’s Ministry of Sevier County Baptist Association recently took a seven-member team to Middlesboro, Ky., to serve at the Bell County Baptist Association office, working with director of missions Joe Beason. While there, the team pressure washed two buildings, painted the outside of two buildings, changed an entrance door to a wider one to help with wheelchair access, replaced a storm door, raised an awning, trimmed bushes, changed two interior doors, added a cased opening, washed ceilings & walls, painted three ceilings, painted all walls, doors, & closets, and assisted with the association’s food ministry. The guys also installed a handicap toilet, changed a window to help with the food ministry, and painted two posts that support an A/C unit. Justin Johnson is associational mission strategist. Shown, from left, are Dan are Don Breeden, Herb Caughron, Jim Whaley, Steve Banks, David Wilson, James Roulette and Joe Beason (DOM in wheelchair). Not pictured is Pam Caughron.