LEADERS

The Mouth of Richland Baptist Church, Blaine, recently called two new ministers. Nick Wright is the new senior pastor while Brad Bales is executive pastor. Wright is a graduate of Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City. He formerly served as youth minister at Union Baptist Church, Knoxville and was transitional pastor at Graveston Baptist Church, Corryton. Bales served as student pastor at Graveston Baptist and was chaplain for the football team at Gibbs High School, Corryton. He attended Johnson University and Walters State Community College.

Keith Donaldson is the new pastor/church planter of Connect Church in Milan.

Robert Cates has been called as interim pastor of West Side Baptist Church, Trenton. [Read more…]

DEATHS

Longtime Tennessee Baptist pastor Edward C. Minor died May 5. He was 87. Minor was pastor of several Tennessee Baptist churches including Concord Baptist Church, Brentwood; Nolensville Baptist Church, Nolensville; Grace Baptist Church, Bethpage; Chapel Hill Baptist Church, Chapel Hill; and Arrington Baptist Church, Arrington. He also was pastor of churches in Alabama and North Carolina and he worked for 17 years with Thomas Nelson Publishers. Minor is survived by his wife, Shelby Minor, four children, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Denise Bronaugh, adult specialist for Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union, was recently honored for 15 years of service on the staff of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Bronaugh was active in WMU at First Baptist Church, Nashville, where she is a member, before joining the WMU staff in 2003. Bronaugh and her husband Jim have two daughters.

Stacy Murphree

Stacy Murphree, Baptist Collegiate Ministry specialist at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, was recently honored for 15 years of service with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. She joined the TBMB (then Executive Board) staff in 2003. Murphree is a member of Hilldale Baptist Church, Clarksville. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Ray Van Neste

Ray Van Neste, professor of biblical studies at Union University, Jackson, has been appointed as dean of the university’s School of Theology and Missions. Van Neste has served on the Union faculty since 2001 and also is director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies. He will begin his role as dean on June 1.

Jason Curtis was called in March as pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, Winchester and was ordained on April 8. He formerly was a member of First Baptist Church, Cowan. This is his first pastorate.

David Wall retired as pastor of Harmony Baptist Church, Tullahoma, on March 25. He was named pastor emeritus. Wall founded Unity Baptist Mission in 2005 and the congregation merged with Spring Creek Baptist Church in 2015, taking the name Harmony Baptist Church. He previously served Center Grove Baptist Church, Tullahoma, for 24 years. Wall and his wife Pat were presented gifts of appreciation on April 8. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Joe Wright

Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Savannah, has called Jonathan Barnard as pastor to students and children. He had been living in Gulfport, Miss., while attending New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Stefanie, have three children.

Joe Wright, director of missions for Dyer Baptist Association, based in Dyersburg, for the past 18 years, has resigned to become executive director of the Bivocational Small Church Leadership Network. He was honored by the association for his service during a farewell reception held April 14 at the BCM center on the campus of Dyersburg State Community College.

Calvary Baptist Church, Brownsville, recently called Barry W. Presley as pastor. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Russ Wilkins

Russ Wilkins, former associate pastor for students, missions, and education at First Baptist Church, Huntingdon, has been named director of missions for Shiloh Baptist Association. Wilkins is a former admissions counselor at Union University in Jackson and youth pastor at Oakfield Baptist Church, Oakfield. Shiloh Association is comprised of 47 churches in McNairy and Hardin Counties.

John Adams, a former university administrator at Union University in Jackson who is now serving in his 31st interim pastorate at Spring Hill Baptist Church, Trenton, and Gayle Alexander, who has served as pastor of churches in Tennessee and Mississippi, have written Who Is In Control of The Church: A Guide to Unity and Peace Within the Church. The two men have more than 100 combined years of experience. The book offers a “big picture” look at what the church expects from the pastor, what the pastor should expect from the church, and how people in positions of authority can work together under the submission of God’s ultimate authority. The book is available on Amazon by title and authors. [Read more…]

ASSOCIATIONS

Lawrence County Baptist Association is sponsoring “Returning to Holiness Through Spiritual Renewal” April 22-25. Sessions and locations include Summertown Baptist Church, Summertown, April 21, 7 p.m.; April 22, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; First Baptist Church, Loretto, 6:30 p.m., April 23; Leoma Baptist Church, Leoma, 6:30 p.m., April 24; and Macedonia Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, 6:30 p.m., April 25. Gregory Frizzell, founder and president of Gregory Frizzell Prayer & Renewal Ministries, will lead the sessions.

Robertson County Baptist Association will hold its semi-annual meeting April 17 at 6:30 a.m. at Cross Roads Baptist Church, Greenbrier. David Leavell, president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and pastor of First Baptist Church, Millington, will speak about his vision for reaching the lost. [Read more…]

EVENTS

The Flintville Community Revival will be held March 25-30 at 7 p.m. each night. A tent will be set up across from Flintville School. A different pastor will speak each night: Chester Slayton, Pleasant Grove Baptist, March 25; Milton Martin, Pleasant Hill Baptist, March 26; Josh Moran, First Baptist Church, Flintville, March 27; Ian Bloxham, Lincoln Baptist, March 28; Winfred Slayton, Gum Springs Baptist, March 29; and Don Pierson, Stewart’s Chapel Baptist, March 30. [Read more…]

EVENTS

The Bells Community Revival is scheduled for March 18-21 and will rotate between Walnut Hill Baptist Church and  Cross Roads Baptist Church. The Sunday night service features The Barnett Family in concert at Cross Roads at 6:00 p.m. Remaining services are at 6:30 p.m.  The Monday night service is at Walnut Hill with Josh Simmons.  The Tuesday night service is at Cross Roads with Justin Moreland and the Wednesday night service is at Walnut Hill with Larry Murphy.

ASSOCIATION

Lawrence County Baptist Association is sponsoring “Returning to Holiness Through Spiritual Renewal” April 22-25. Sessions and locations include Summertown Baptist Church, Summertown, April 22, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; First Baptist Church, Loretto, 6:30 p.m., April 23; Leoma Baptist Church, Leoma, 6:30 p.m., April 24; and Macedonia Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, 6:30 p.m., April 25. Gregory Frizzell, founder and president of Gregory Frizzell Prayer & Renewal Ministries, will lead the sessions. [Read more…]