Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
Joe Shannon
Joe Shannon, associate director of missions, Judson, Stewart, and Truett Baptist Associations, based in Dover and Bon Aqua, for 11 years, and pastor, Pomona Baptist Church, Dickson, for two years, was named director of missions Feb. 1. William Gray, director of missions for 30 years, was named associate director of missions. He is pastor, Bear Spring Baptist Church, Dover. Shannon also was pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Dover. [Read more…]
Joe and Linda Ledford, Mission Service Corps missionaries with the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board based in Chilhowee Baptist Association, Alcoa, are retiring. They have served 20 years, eight in Canada and 12 in Townsend where they lead C.H.A.R.M. (CHilhowee ARea Ministries). They will be honored on Saturday, June 3, from 2-4 p.m. at the Townsend Visitors Center pavilion. For more information, contact 865-982-0499.
Larry Overton, director of Camp Tipton, Maryville, of Chilhowee Baptist Association, based in Alcoa, was called as pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Townsend, on April 23. [Read more…]
Brace Baptist Church, Summertown, celebrated its 100th anniversary celebration on April 9. A luncheon followed the morning worship service and then an Easter egg hunt for children was held.
West Hills Baptist Church, Jonesborough, is offering a Grow-Your-Own Community Garden with raised beds assigned to families who agree to volunteer in three events. For more information contact Pastor Daniel Shrader at 252-916-6813 or [email protected].
Westwood Baptist Church, Nashville, is helping plant a new Hispanic Baptist church in West Nashville. Robert Hammer is pastor of Westwood Baptist and Gus Zuniga is pastor of the new Hispanic congregation. [Read more…]
Michael W. Morgan, worship pastor, Indian Springs Baptist Church, Kingsport, for 38 years, will retire April 30. During his tenure, he also was worship and youth pastor for 24 years. Morgan and his wife, Brenda, will be honored on Saturday-Sunday, April 29-30, at the church. For more information, contact the church at 423-323-2187 or [email protected].
Patrick Bottoms has been called as pastor, East Side Baptist Church, Elizabethton.
Mike Garrett has served Meridian Baptist Church, Crossville, as pastor for 25 years.
Leamon Harness has been called as pastor, Demory Baptist Church, LaFollette. [Read more…]
For the fourth year in a row, Carson-Newman University’s forensics team won the Tennessee Intercollegiate Forensics Association state championship. Capturing the university’s ninth state championship in 11 years, the Carson-Newman team placed first with a total of 325 points, while the team from Middle Tennessee State placed second with 165 points.
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, based in Cordova, and Crossroads Baptist Church, Eads, will present the passion play, “The Scarlet Thread,” April 7-9 in the chapel of Mid-America Seminary. It will be directed by James Whitmire. For more information, contact www.MABTS.edu/PassionPlay or 901-751-8453. [Read more…]
Mike Thrower
Mike Thrower, director of missions, Beech River Baptist Association, based in Lexington, retired Jan. 31 after serving almost 15 years. He has be en called as minister to senior adults and of pastoral care, First Baptist Church, Lexington. Formerly he was pastor, Brunswick Baptist Church, Brunswick, for 20 years; and pastor of two churches in Mississippi for six years. Thrower is a graduate of New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary.
David and Mary Demps, house managers of Stoneway Acres — White House (for men), Lebanon, of Tennessee Baptist Adult Homes, based in Brentwood, are retiring. The couple has served TBAH for 20 years. The Demps also are directors of the special needs ministry of Immanuel Baptist Church, Lebanon. They will be honored by the church on Sunday, March 26 at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Tricia Culver at 615-444-8820 or [email protected]. [Read more…]
New Market Baptist Church, New Market, will hold its 20th annual “Trail to the Empty Tomb.” About 650 people viewed the presentation last year on two nights. One night was rained out. This year the outdoor dramatic presentation will be offered Thursday – Saturday, April 13-15, from 8-9:30 p.m. For more information, contact Becky Finley at 865-850-6313 or [email protected].
Trinity Baptist Church, Knoxville, will hold revival services March 19-22. Phil Glisson, evangelist of Memphis, will preach. [Read more…]
Bobby Rushing was called as pastor, First Baptist Church, Gleason, effective Jan. 15.
First Baptist Church, Lafayette, called Waylon Eddings of Texas as senior pastor, effective Jan. 8.
Larry Fields, retired senior pastor, Central Baptist Church, Bearden, Knoxville, has been called as interim pastor, Smithwood Baptist Church, Knoxville. He served Central Baptist, Bearden, for 23 years. He also was interim pastor, First Baptist Church, Oak Ridge. [Read more…]
Roger Smith has been called as youth pastor, Ninth Street Baptist Church, Erwin.
Jamie Carver and Troy Whitson have been licensed to preach by Grace Baptist Church, Johnson City.
Charles Anderson, retired pastor who lives in Stone Baptist Association, based in Cookeville, will return on a missions trip to Brazil again this year. He has been traveling there for 18 years. For more information, contact the association at [email protected] or 931-526-4655.
Ralph Carter has been called as pastor, First Baptist Church, Ridgetop. [Read more…]
A team of nine people from the Duck River Baptist Association, based in Tullahoma, and William Carey Baptist Association, based in Fayetteville, served in Taiwan Nov. 25 – Dec. 3. The Tennessee Baptists spoke to 41 classes in two schools and distributed 550 copies of the Gospel of John to students and the Bible to 41 teachers. Team members also distributed 225 New Testaments to tourists from the communist mainland and served in high school where they had spiritual discussions with students, reported Mark Puckett, director of missions, Duck River Association.
Ocoee Outreach of CrossNet Baptist Network (formerly Bradley Baptist Association), based in Cleveland, saw 110 people make professions of faith during the summer of 2016. A total of 1,400 volunteers from 33 churches in 12 states served, leading 74 home repair projects, block parties, programs, day camps, Backyard Bible Clubs, and sports camps. [Read more…]