SEVIERVILLE — Scott Andrews recently celebrated his 35th anniversary as worship pastor at First Baptist Church, Sevierville. His ministry, however, goes beyond just music.
Andrews also serves as senior adult/pastoral care pastor and he’s been known to lead quite a few mission trips as well.
In addition to the four pastors he has served with at First Baptist (Joe Wren, Rich Liner, Randy Davis and Dan Spencer), Andrews also served with Ray Newcomb at First Baptist Church, Millington; Bill Delaney at South Seminole Baptist Church, Chattanooga; and John Shepherd at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Oneida. “God has used every pastor I have worked with to pour into me and make me a better pastor,” he said.
Andrews also credits Billy Appling who was the music minister at Whitehaven Baptist Church in Memphis when he surrendered to the ministry in 1974 as an important mentor in his life. Appling later became minister of music at Red Bank Baptist Church in Chattanooga where he served for 25 years.
Though he is connected with music and senior adults, Andrews makes himself available to the entire congregation: “I believe I am a pastor first. I try to be a pastor to the entire flock as best as I can.”
Dan Spencer, who has served as senior pastor at First Baptist for 13 years, agrees with Andrews’ assessment. “Scott is one of the best pastors I have ever known and I don’t qualify that in any way. He is a godly man and a consistent witness for Christ,” Spencer continued.
Though his ministry transcends his specialty (music), he is one of the best worship/music leaders he has ever worked with, Spencer said.
“First Baptist Church is spoiled. We may not be aware of how much God has blessed us,” he added.
The feeling is mutual. “I’ve been blessed to serve this church for 35 years,” Andrews said. “It’s a good, healthy church with wonderful servant-minded people,” he continued. What’s more, the church is extremely missions-minded.
“We have baptized hundreds of people on some unbelievable mission trips,” he said.
First Baptist also has been “home” for his three daughters as well as himself and his wife of 47 years, Jennifer who grew up with an understanding of the ministry from her parents, John and Norma Skiles. Skiles was a longtime West Tennessee Baptist pastor.
“I absolutely could not do the ministry God has led me to do without her by my side,” Andrews said.
He noted that one of the biggest blessings of serving one church for so long is the generational relationships.
Participants in the music ministry include children of children who were in the children’s choirs at First Baptist.
“We call each other brothers and sisters. To be here 35 years is truly like family.”
Being a part of several generations during his three-plus decades is one of the highlights of his ministry at First Baptist. “you don’t experience that by leaving but by being present and loving the people.”
In a profession (worship/music leader) where the average tenure is less than five years, Andrews has far exceeded the average.
He attributes long tenures to servant leadership.
“Churches must see their worship or music ministers as servant leaders,” Andrews affirmed. “I don’t ask anybody to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself. I want to be among the people and one of the people.”
Andrews has shared his musical talents with the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
He has been an active part of the Tennessee Baptist Men’s Chorale for most of his ministry, but especially the past 25 years or so. He is a past president of the Chorale.
“They are my like-minded brothers,” he said. “Some of my closest friends in the world are in the Chorale.
“I once was a young buck,” he laughed. “Now, I’m one of the old guys. It has been a humbling transition.”
Though approaching retirement age, Andrews has no plans to do so any time soon. “I feel the Lord has more for me to do. As the song says, I’ll “work ’til Jesus comes.’ ”B&R