Martha H. Kirkland was announced Nov. 14 as the third recipient of the Paul B. Clark Church Music Ministry Award. With her, from left, are Jeremy O’Neal, worship pastor at First Baptist Church, Paris, and president of the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference; Joe Fitzpatrick, worship and music pastor at First Baptist Church, Nashville (where Kirkland is a member); Kirkland; and Scott Shepherd, worship and music specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
CORDOVA — Longtime church music leader Martha H. Kirkland has been chosen as the third recipient of the annual Paul B. Clark Church Music Ministry Award.
The award is presented by the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference to recognize individuals who exemplify outstanding, courageous leadership through their commitment, influence and contributions to the ministry through music in the local church, said Scott Shepherd, worship and music specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
Kirkland served as the Young Musicians choir director at First Baptist Church, Nashville, for 31 years and served in a number of church music roles at Lifeway Christian resources for 22 years.
Kirkland also has led church music conferences in 40 states and all six Southern Baptist seminaries.
Clark served as the worship and music specialist for the TBMB from 2000-2015 prior to a massive stroke shortly after the 2015 Summit. Clark died Dec. 24, 2018.
“The purpose of this award is two-fold,” Shepherd said. “First, we want to keep alive the legacy of Dr. Paul Clark in the hearts and minds of Tennessee Baptists. Second, we want to provide motivation and inspiration for Tennessee Baptist worship musicians.”
Kirkland, a member of First Baptist, Nashville, was presented the award during the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference on Nov. 14 at Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova. B&R
