Roger Britton, bivocational ministry specialist for the TBMB, presents Joy Clay-Corby some gifts in recognition of her upcoming retirement after more than 35 years of service with the TBMB.
PIGEON FORGE — For more than 35 years Joy Clay-Corby has been a fixture as a ministry assistant with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (formerly Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention).
Clay-Corby has seen a lot of history over her three-and-a-half decades. She has served under four executive directors — Tom Madden, D.L. Lowrie, James Porch and Randy C. Davis.
When she joined the staff in 1988, she worked in the former Cooperative Program/Stewardship department, first with Orvind Dangeau and later Archer Thorpe. She also worked with Ray Gilder as he began bivocational ministires and later with directors of missions.
A decade later she transitioned over to work with Lana Rose to assist church and associational ministry assistants across Tennessee, a role that she has continued ever since.
Clay-Corby has helped plan and lead events for ministry assistants and other groups.
“The friendships I have made are lasting. You get to know the ministry assistants and their families,” said Clay-Corby, who will retire Feb. 29.
In addition, she has worked with directors of missions and in the TBMB’s bivocational ministry. She attended her last major meeting as TBMB staff member in late January at the Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat in Pigeon Forge, helping ministry assistant Valerie Caricofe with registration.
Clay-Corby was recognized by the bivocational ministers and their wives during the retreat. She received gifts from Roger Britton, TBMB bivocational ministry specialist, along with dozens of thank you notes from the group for her ministry over the years.
Steve Holt, TBMB church services director has worked with Clay-Corby since 2003. “She helped ‘indoctrinate’ me into denominational work in many ways. I owe her a lot,” he said.
He noted that what he admires most about Clay-Corby is “her deep love for the staff of TBMB, Tennessee Baptist church leaders, and the work that she has done on their behalf.
“I believe Joy was called by God to serve at TBMB and she has seen her job as a ministry, not just the way she made a living. People with that kind of calling are a blessing to all those around them,” he said.
Holt added that she will be missed because she cares about the people she works with every day. “She knows us, loves us and cares about our families as well.”
The feeling is mutual, Clay-Corby affirmed, “The staff of the TBMB became my family. They have prayed me through a whole bunch of stuff.” B&R — Lonnie Wilkey