Baptist and Reflector
Ray Newcomb
COUNCE – Former Tennessee Baptist Convention president Ray Newcomb died April 27 at the age of 77.
Newcomb served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Millington, for 33 years before his retirement in May of 2009.
Known for his passion for leading people to Christ, First Baptist baptized 4,500 people during Newcomb’s tenure, a former staff member told the B&R in 2009.
In addition to his ministry with the church, Newcomb was active at every level of the denomination, including Mid-South Association of Baptists, the TBC, and the Southern Baptist Convention. He served as TBC president during 1993-94 and was a former chairman of the trustees of the North American Mission Board. He also served on the TBC Executive Board (now Tennessee Baptist Mission Board) and as a trustee of Union University.
After retirement he and his late wife Carolyn moved to Counce where he remained active in ministry, serving numerous churches as interim or transitional pastor. In 2015 Newcomb preached the annual convention sermon during The Summit held that year at FBC, Millington.
As always, his message centered on evangelism and winning souls for Jesus Christ. He reminded messengers during his sermon there are only two types of people in the world — the lost and the saved. Help them get saved, he challenged.
Newcomb is survived by a son, Brent Newcomb, and a grandson, Ridge Newcomb.
