
Dana and Charlotte Fachman, center, are surrounded by his children and grandchildren at his retirement reception.
KNOXVILLE — Dana Fachman, pastor of Meridian Baptist Church in Knoxville retired Dec. 24, 2023, after 35 years of service to the church and the community.
Before that, he served at Leawood Baptist church in Memphis for 10-and-a-half years, for a total ministry tenure 45 years. Fachman began his ministry at the age of 23 and only served in two churches which he says, “created stability” for his family.
Originally from Memphis, he and his wife Charlotte, whom he has known since he was 12, attended and married at the same church 46 years ago. On their honeymoon, they “fell in love with the mountains of East Tennessee, the area and the people.”
Shortly thereafter, they moved and Fachman began serving as pastor at Meridian Baptist. Charlotte also has been involved in numerous church ministries. According to her husband, she has been “the perfect pastor’s wife.”
When asked what contributed to his longevity in ministry, Fachman cited, “Gracious people — good and loving people.” He added that the community has been a second family supporting them and their three children since the beginning of his ministry at Meridian Baptist.
Regarding his upcoming retirement, the pastor plans to “take some time” but has a list of things he wants to do. Among those are to stay active in the community, write, continue to do Bible studies, travel, photography/photo restoration, hike, scuba dive, study family history and watch his grandchildren play soccer.
Fachman was recognized with a monetary gift and a special retirement reception in November. B&R


