LEADERS
Roger Stacy
Roger Stacy will retire June 30 after 15 years as director of missions for Gibson Baptist Association. Prior to Gibson Association, he served as director of missions for Central Baptist Association, based in McMinnville, for 10 years. He and his wife, Penny, also were the first International Mission Board missionaries to serve in western Ukraine in 1993 after the fall of communism. The association will hold a retirement reception for Stacy and his wife on June 26 from 2-5 p.m. The Stacys are moving to New Albany, Miss., to be near grandchildren. He plans to continue serving as an interim pastor and supply preacher as well as continuing to lead mission teams to Brazil where he also served as a missionary.
Carlos DeFreitas
Carlos DeFreitas has been called as minister of students at First Baptist Church, Lexington. He is a graduate of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He is coming to FBC from Georgia. He and his wife, April, have three daughters.
John Bowers has joined the staff of Weakley County Baptist Association. He is a certified counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.
Grover Westover has been called as pastor of Walnut Hill Baptist Church, Bells.
Don Dyer retired as pastor of First Baptist Church, Bradford, effective June 5 after serving the church for almost 29 years. He and his wife, Denise, plan to travel and see their children and grandchildren.
Wayne Rowan retired as pastor of China Grove Baptist Church, Rutherford, effective May 29.
The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board recently recognized staff members for years of service. They included: Kathy Morey, accounting assistant, 5 years; Patricia “Patty” Jenkins, food service helper, Carson Springs, 10 years; Thomas Warren, technology support technician, 5 years; David Dawson, communications specialist, 5 years; Mark Whitt, Baptist Collegiate Ministry specialist, Middle Tennessee State University, 5 years; and Kim Sullivan, accounting assistant, 5 years.
CHURCHES
Beech Grove Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, will celebrate its 133rd anniversary with homecoming on June 12 at 11 a.m. with worship with Billy Hill, followed by lunch and singing at 1:30 p.m. with Anointed By Grace.
Fosterville Baptist Church, Bell Buckle, will hold Vacation Bible School for ages preschool through adults June 20-24 from 6-8:15 p.m.
EDUCATION
Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska was the keynote speaker at Union University’s 197th annual spring commencement in Oman Arena. Six hundred eleven students received their degrees as they completed their Union education. He reminded the students that their graduation marks a “commencement” as it serves as a beginning of lives and careers that can glorify God.”
The first Off the Grid Motorcycle Tour was held in May at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center. The event, organized by Roc Collins, director of strategic objectives drew ministers and others from across the state. Off the Grid is a ministry of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board that provides pastors, staff members and lay leaders an opportunity to disconnect, be refreshed and enjoy a time of fellowship and outdoor adventure. For more information, call Kevin Perrigan at 423-623-2764.
Patricia Bible, president and CEO of KaTom and chair of Carson-Newman University’s board of trustees, speaks to C-N graduates during spring commencement. She is a member of First Baptist Church, Morristown. The service celebrated 565 undergraduate and graduate students across three ceremonies representing 26 states, 15 countries, earning 14 degrees in nearly 60 fields of study.