LEADERS Bill Black Bill Black, executive director of Smoky Mountain Resort Ministries in Gatlinburg since 1981, retired effective Nov. 1. He will continue to work with the ministry in a transitional period as assistant director. Black’s retirement comes after 39 years of leading the ministry which focused on people first — serving residents, workers and visitors who live, work and play in Gatlinburg. During his tenure he built programming into every facet of resort life including campgrounds, amusement parks, Ober Gatlinburg ski resort and more.  Jodie Lamon The ministry’s board of directors also announced that Jodie Lamon will be the new executive director. A Maryville native, Lamon’s first experience with SMRM began as a youth volunteer while in high school. She returned asa summer missionary while attending the University of Tennessee. After moving from Tennessee for a while, she and her family returned to Gatlinburg in 2018. She began working with SMRM once again and became assistant director. “I am honored to carry on the tradition of Smoky Mountain Resort Ministries as we reveal the presence of God to those who live, work and play in the resort settings of Sevier County and the Smoky Mountains,” she said. Though SMRM is an independent non-profit ministry, its roots are found in the Sevier County Association of Baptists. |
 Alex Darnall  Keagan Thein Alex Darnall has begun serving as worship pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Mount Juliet. He holds a bachelor of science in worship and pastoral studies from Boyce College, the undergraduate school of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He formerly served as worship pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Union City. He and his wife, Ali Rose, have a daughter, Elliot Rose. The church also has called Keagan Thein as director of student ministry. He recently moved to the volunteer state after serving four years in South Carolina. Along with student ministry, he also is involved in creative media and music ministry. |
 Pamela K. Orgeron Pamela K. Orgeron, a member of Parkway Baptist Church, Goodlettsville, has recently authored Why Didn’t They Hear Us? The Causes, Consequences and Solutions to Children Feeling Unheard. The book offers hope and help to those in recovery from being unheard as a child and to those who work with such individuals. |
DEATHS David Cross James David Cross, 56, of Georgetown died Oct. 20 after a short and sudden illness. He was pastor of First Baptist Church, Charleston, at the time of his death. His previous pastorates include a church in Georgia and Gum Springs Baptist Church, Georgetown. He was a former chaplain for the Cleveland Police Department and was a current member of the board of directors of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “David was a faithful board member and excited about the opportunity to serve Tennessee Baptists,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB. Cross is survived by his wife, Karen, a daughter and two grandchildren. |
  On Sunday, Oct. 11, First Baptist Church, Lexington, held its grand opening, ribbon cutting and open house for their new Mission Action Center (The MAC), which houses 20 new Sunday School rooms, a worship room, welcome areas and a full-sized, regulation gymnasium. Pictured are members of the building team with pastor Clay Hallmark. From left are Randy Crowe, Alan Evans, Hallmark, chairman Richie Strickland, Ryan Keaton, DeAnne Pace, Tim Taylor and Dudley Myracle. |
 Gibson Baptist Association recently elected officers for 2020-21. From left are Jim Acree, treasurer; Roger Stacy, director of missions; Leann Cherry, clerk; Shawn Allred, moderator; and Bryan Morris assistant moderator. |