Pastor James Kendrick Pierce III at Towering Oaks Baptist Church.
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Pastor James Kendrick Pierce III is retiring after nearly 55 years of ministry, including 35 years leading Towering Oaks Baptist Church.
Pierce, who goes by Tommy, preached his first sermon at age 16 and accepted his first ministry position at Zion Baptist Church in Louisiana two weeks after graduating from Denham Springs High School at age 17.
“I went to church for nine months before I was born,” Pierce said, referring to his upbringing as the son of minister James Pierce.
Pierce led several churches before arriving at Towering Oaks in April 1990. He earned a Bachelor of General Studies in Communications from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1988.
Under his leadership, Towering Oaks grew from one worship service to two before constructing a new worship center that opened Dec. 1, 2002. The church adopted the motto “To Know Him and Make Him Known.”
Pierce became known for preaching without shoes after a 2003 sermon about Moses and holy ground. “What constitutes holy ground?” he asked. “Holy ground is anywhere you meet with God. This is my prayer. That every time I stand behind this desk, we meet with God.” He removed his shoes during that sermon and preached in socks from that day forward.
Since 2020, Pierce has hosted weekday morning devotions at 7:15 a.m., concluding with “Honor God with your thoughts, the places you go, things you do and the words you say.”
Pierce plans to continue leading trips to the Holy Land — his 25th tour is scheduled for February — and will serve as pastor emeritus. He also intends to supply preach, mentor pastors and spend time with his nine grandchildren.
Pierce and his wife, Shelley, have four children: James, Hannah, John and Abigail.
A reception in Pierce’s honor was held Oct. 19 at the church’s Family Life Center. B&R
