TENNESCENE: APR. 3

LEADERS

Union University has named Ray Van Neste, dean of its School of Theology and Missions, as vice president for university ministries. Van Neste will continue to serve as dean in addition to his new role, where he will oversee Union’s chapel program, church relations and pastoral care for the university community. Van Neste has served on the Union faculty since 2001 and became dean of the School of Theology and Missions in 2018. He has also served as a pastor and is a member of First Baptist Church, Jackson. See full story at baptistandreflector.org.

Jimmy H. Davis of Savannah, a longtime bivocational pastor in Shiloh Baptist Association, recently has written a book entitled Does God Lie?  The book includes a foreword by Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova. The book addresses how to know that you are saved and are on the road to heaven. The book is geared to reaching those who are lost for Christ and helping Christians understand the security of the believer. The book is available from amazon.com, Walmart.com, Barnes and Noble and other online sites.

Christian counselor, life coach and author Pamela K. Orgeron, a member of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, has written Overcoming Generational Curses: Finding Freedom in Truth, a 3-Step Process. The book offers hope and help to those in recovery from the consequences of generational sin and is especially helpful to those who have a “family secret” that has them stuck in life.  The book is available from amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. The author can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].

CHURCHES

New Middleton Baptist Church, Gordonsville, will celebrate its 185th anniversary and homecoming on Sunday, April 14, at 10 a. m. with lunch to follow. Pastor B. J. Thomason will deliver the message and The Promise Trio will provide special music.

Giles Creek Baptist Church, Smyrna, will host the Shine 2024 Women’s Conference on April 13 from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The conference is live but will also be streamed virtually. The theme is “Blessed, Beautiful, Bold and Brilliant.” Speakers include Sioux Smith, Brea Sharron Estep, Charmaine Lillestrand and Khalilah Smith. A portion of the proceeds goes to organizations fighting sexual abuse. For more information, including costs, e-mail [email protected].

Triune Baptist Church, Arrington, will hold revival services April 21-24. Steve Hale will be the evangelist for “Awakening!” The services will begin on Sunday morning, April 21, at 10 a.m. and then each night Sunday thru Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Mike Chaney and the Celebration Choir will be leading our music. Everyone is invited.

DEATHS

Hayden D. Center, retired pastor of several churches across Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, with the most recent in Tennessee being Walker Memorial Baptist Church in Franklin, died Jan. 17 at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Center, three children; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Michael “Mike” Gardner Davis, retired pastor of churches in Dresden and Fayetteville, died Jan. 6. He was 86. Davis also served as a chaplain at Baptist Hospital in Memphis and pastored churches in Texas and Kentucky. He is survived by his wife, Henrietta Davis, and a son.

Linda Gray, wife of William Gray, pastor of Bear Springs Baptist Church, Dover, and retired director of missions for JST (Judson-Stewart-Truett) Baptist Association, died Jan. 30. She was 69. She is survived by her husband, four children, eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Elbert Walker Kitts, retired pastor of Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Knoxville, died Jan. 6 at the age of 84. He was an Air Force veteran and served as a pastor for 54 years. He also had a television and radio ministry and authored seven books. Kitts was preceded in death by his first wife, Ellen Faye, and three sons. He is survived by his wife, Helen Kitts, five children, 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Donald R. Marston, pastor of Forest Hill Baptist Church, Germantown, died Jan. 17 at the age of 68. Marston served a pastor in the Memphis area for 41 years. He is survived by his wife Judy Marston and two children and two grandchildren.

Joseph “Ronnie” Moore, retired pastor of five Tennessee Baptist churches (Little Tellico, Concord, Shelton’s Grove, Union Grove and Marshall Hill), died Jan. 30. He was 74. He is survived by his wife, Gail Moore, two children, seven grandchildren and a great grandson.

Billy Joe Ponder, a retired pastor who served nine churches in western North Carolina and East Tennessee, including  Community Baptist Church, Jonesborough, and Clear Branch Baptist Church, Erwin, died Feb. 26. A Navy veteran, Ponder was 82. He was active in local ministries and those offered by Holston Baptist Association. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, three children, 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Thomas “Tommy” Lee Williams, retired pastor of Fort Robinson Baptist Church, Kingsport, died Dec. 30. He was 80. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Williams, a daughter and three granddaughters.