Roger Britton, bivocational ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, stands with special guest Miguel Perez during a worship session at the 2025 Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat. The three-day event drew a record number of attendees in Pigeon Forge. — Retreat photos by David Dawson
PIGEON FORGE — The term “pastor burnout” has become an all-too-common part of the vernacular for those in ministry work.
Bivocational pastors are often highly susceptible to this issue, perhaps even more so than their full-time colleagues.
In an attempt to help bivocational pastors deal with some of the stress and hardships they face in ministry, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board annually hosts a three-day retreat for the “bivo” ministers and their wives.
“The retreat is God’s way of providing His water that keeps us filled and able to keep plowing ahead even when it feels like the well is dry,” said Roger Britton, bivocational ministry specialist for the TBMB.
This year’s retreat drew a record-high 351 attendees, including 167 couples, to the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center in Pigeon Forge on Jan. 23-25.
The fact that the retreat is held near the birthplace of Dolly Parton is a fitting development for this group of pastors, who each work “9 to 5” jobs in addition to their duties as pastor.
During the day, they are accountants, funeral home employees, computer service managers, construction workers and a wide range of other occupations. They are also “on-call” as pastors essentially 24 hours a day, and the juggling act can be tricky for many.
These men — and their wives — can often feel overlooked and under appreciated, said Joe Sorah, minister wellness team leader for the TBMB. The retreat, he said, is a way of letting them know they are a vital part of the ministry efforts in Tennessee.
“The retreat serves many purposes, including addressing the real issues that bivocational ministers face,” said Sorah. “One of the biggest topics is addressing the issue of isolation. The great prophet Elijah experienced it, and we do, too, when left to ourselves.
“We need other people in ministry, and the retreat offers useful solutions,” he said. “ Sometimes just knowing that you are not the only person experiencing a tough issue is enough to encourage you to forge on in the journey.”
This year’s event included messages from several TBMB staffers, including Randy C. Davis, president and executive director, Roc Collins, evangelism team leader and special assistant to the executive director, and Danny Sinquefield, team leader for Harvest Field One.
The three-day event also featured a large amount of “down time” for the pastors and their wives, with Friday night being open for a possible “date night.”
“The retreat serves as a marriage enrichment event by allowing the ministers and their wives to get away from the busyness of ministry and to focus on their relationship,” said Sorah. “The schedule is deliberately planned to give time for that.”
Britton noted that he and wife, Kathy, have been attending the retreat for 27 years.
“There is no way to explain the significance of the retreat and how much it provides for mental, physical, and spiritual health of both the pastor and his wife,” said Britton. “I honestly feel this event gives Kathy and I the shot in the arm we need to get us through the year.”
Added Sorah: “Above all, the retreat serves to encourage all the attendees that God is our strength and worthy of the dedication of our lives. The messages throughout the retreat inspire, encourage, and instruct, which leads to improved mental/emotional health. And the importance of that is enormous.” B&R
Bios of the Bivos: Get to know a few of the bivocational pastors who attended the retreat
Keck
Name: Justin Keck
Wife’s Name: MarKita Keck
Church: Trinity Baptist Church
Church location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Occupation (aside from pastor): Procurement Manager at a DOE national laboratory
Number of years in the ministry: 13, though in first year as a senior pastor
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this year’s Bivocational Retreat? Retreats like this mean the world to me in terms of taking this brief time away to take a breath, spend time with my wife, and be fed. It’s such an encouragement to meet so many other pastors that are walking in the same shoes I am. I’ve been able to reconnect with some men I haven’t seen in a few years and make some new friendships that I hope to be lasting and have a lasting impact on my ministry. I appreciate TBMB for making the support of bivocational pastors and their spouses a priority.
Rose
Name: Devin Rose
Wife’s name: Madi Rose
Church: Big Ridge Rd Missionary Baptist Church
Church location: Oneida, Tenn.
Occupation (aside from pastor): Owner of a trucking company
Number of years in the ministry: 6
Number of years attending this retreat: 3
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this year’s Bivocational Retreat? It helped save our marriage and our sanity. It was nice to know you’re not alone in this thing and that everyone struggles. We always leave here feeling revived and ready to take on another until we get to come back again.
Rollins
Name: John Rollins
Wife’s Name: Karen
Church: Simeon Baptist Church
Church location: Antioch, Tenn.
Occupation (aside from pastor): Retired accountant
Number of years in the ministry: 35 years
Number of years attending this retreat: 1st year
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this year’s Bivocational Retreat? A total refreshing of my spirit. It has given me the passion and encouragement to continue moving forward to the finish line. God’s work is never ending until Jesus’ return, so we also must continue to encourage each other as pastors working together. Together we stand strong. (This is a) great and wonderful conference.
Simmons
Name: Josh Simmons
Wife’s name: NA
Church: Cross Roads Baptist Church
Church location: Bells, Tenn.
Occupation (aside from pastor): Higher Ed IT at Union University
Number of years in the ministry: 11
Number of years attending this retreat: 2
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this year’s Bivocational Retreat? The encouragement and fellowship among pastors is the best part of the retreat. I leave refreshed and ready to return to my ministry.
Gergis
Name: Melad Gergis
Wife’s Name: Theresa Gergis
Church: Arabic Church of Knoxville
Church location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Occupation (aside from pastor): Full Time Pastor
Number of years in the ministry: 12
Number of years attending this retreat: 1
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this year’s Bivocational Retreat? It means a lot to us as we reconnect with other brothers and sisters in Christ. What an amazing opportunity to us.
Ramsey
Name: Jim Ramsey
Wife’s Name: Paula
Church: DOM, Central Baptist Asso.
Church location: Member of Three Rivers
Occupation (aside from pastor): Retired from funeral home business
Number of years in the ministry: 29
Number of years attending this retreat: 28 years (started attending when the annual retreat was held at Fall Creek Falls)
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this year’s Bivocational Retreat? Every time I’ve come, I’ve always been encouraged. I am able to take back things that I can use with my church and in my role as DOM. They give us tremendous care. It’s amazing how many times the topic (being discussed) is exactly what you are struggling with.
Marsh
Name: Tommy Marsh
Wife’s Name: Debbie
Church: Cherry Road Baptist
Church location: Memphis, Tenn.
Occupation (aside from pastor): construction
Number of years in the ministry: 58
Number of years attending this retreat: 5
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this year’s Bivocational Retreat? This conference has given me a renewed energy and encouragement to continue in a time of confusion in a world that is against the church.
Cotton
Name: Lawrence Cotton
Wife’s Name: Margie Cotton
Church: Tasso Baptist
Church location: Cleveland
Occupation (aside from pastor): Window Cleaner
Number of years in the ministry: 3
Number of years attending this retreat: 3
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this year’s Bivocational Retreat? It’s one of the only opportunities to be fed (on the topic of) feeding others through the year. I thank God that I can be here and sit under godly men.
King
Name: Edward J King
Wife’s Name: Nickie King
Church: Knob Creek
Church location: Seymour, Tenn.
Occupation (aside from pastor): Sevier County Government Employee
Number of years in the ministry: 27
Number of years attending this retreat: 9
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this year’s Bivocational Retreat? (It was) wonderful! We look forward each year to this event.
Harris
Name: Cody Harris
Wife’s Name: Haley Harris
Church: Greasy Creek Baptist Church
Church location: Reliance, Tenn.
Occupation (aside from pastor): Upholstery
Number of years in the ministry: 10
Number of years attending this retreat: 3
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this year’s Bivocational Retreat? It has been a breath of fresh air; wonderful.
