LEADERS

Ron Hale retired Dec. 16 as pastor of senior adults/pastoral care at West Jackson Baptist Church, Jackson. He served the church for 12 years. Hale is a member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. During retirement, Hale plans to do interim preaching and writing projects. He can be reached at 731-343-5092.

Mark E. Sheldon, pastor of Westview Baptist Church, Kingston Springs, has written a new book, The Terror of the Lord: Expanding Our Understanding of the Character of God, which warns of the wrath of God that is to come while expanding the reader’s understanding of the character of God. Sheldon said the book is designed to broaden readers’ concept of God who is merciful and willing to forgive sinners yet is just. The book can be ordered from Amazon, Books-A-Million, or Barnes & Noble ($14.99). E-books are available on Kindle, Nook, etc., for $9.99. [Read more…]

LEADERS

First Baptist Church, Whitesburg, recently called Ira Ginn as pastor.

Randy Pate recently resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church, Milan, to accept a pastorate outside Tennessee.

Oak Grove Baptist Church, Milan, recently called Bill Rice as interim pastor.

Andy Mayfield has been called as pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church, Trenton. [Read more…]

DEATHS

Dan Johnson, minister of music at Glenwood Baptist Church, Nashville, died Oct. 22 at the age of 83 after a battle with cancer. He had served at Glenwood for the past 11 years. Johnson was retired from LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville where he served for 32 years in the church music department.

During his tenure at LifeWay he served several area churches. In recent years, he was a member of the Tennessee Baptist Men’s Chorale, the Barbershop Harmony Quartet Society and the Nashville Symphony Chorale. He also served in the U.S. Army as a chaplain’s assistant. He is survived by his wife, Chere, three children and four grandchildren. [Read more…]

CHURCHES

First Baptist Church, Pegram, will present its 8th annual “Drive thru Bethlehem” on Dec. 8, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m.  The true story of Christmas will be presented from the time the angel appeared to Mary, the shepherds in the field, the trip to Bethlehem,  their finding no room at the inn, the birth of Christ with shepherds and the wise men arriving at the house when Jesus was two years old.  Everyone will be in costume with live animals: sheep, goats and camels.  The church is located at 4548 Sunnyfield Drive. Enter drive from Hannah Ford Road  (at first red light from Nashville) and exit on Sunnyfield Drive. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Jimmy Burroughs has been called as interim pastor of Pinson Baptist Church, Pinson, in Madison County.

Elected as officers of McMinn-Meigs Baptist Association were Phil Prichard, Wildwood Baptist Church, moderator, and Victor King, Short Creek Baptist Church, associate moderator.

Mike Rhodes, pastor of Puryear Baptist Church, Puryear, will retire at the end of December after 39 years as a preacher and pastor. He will be available, beginning in January, for pulpit supply or transitional interims. Contact him at bro.mikerhodes@gmail.com or 731-426-3273. [Read more…]

DEATHS

Retired pastor Max Walker died Aug. 29. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Selmer, for 22 years before he retired and was named pastor emeritus. Walker also served as pastor of churches in Newbern and Lavinia and in Kentucky and Mississippi. He was active in the Tennessee Baptist Convention, serving on several committees and as a trustee of Union University, his alma mater. After retirement, Walker served numerous churches as interim pastor. He is survived by his wife, Ann, of 57 years, two daughters and four grandsons.

A. Rudolph “Rudy” Fagan, who led the former Stewardship Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention for 20 years, died Oct. 3 in Murfreesboro. He was 88. Fagan served as president of the Stewardship Commission from 1974 until his retirement in 1994. The former agency was closed in the SBC’s Covenant for a New Century in the mid-1990s. He is survived by his wife, Florrie, of 64 years, four children, 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. [Read more…]

CHURCHES

Sunday, Sept. 30, kicked off the beginning of a first-time ministry for senior adults at First Baptist Church, Scotts Hill. The Sunday worship included thanksgiving and acknowledgement of senior adults’ service to the Lord, followed by a luncheon in their honor. The senior adults of FBC will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at noon in the church fellowship hall. The group welcomes any senior adult to attend, regardless of church affiliation. For more information, contact Cheryl Duck, the church’s director of senior adult activities at 813-219-4294. Tim Buffaloe is pastor.

Little West Fork Baptist Church, Clarksville, will celebrate its 200th anniversary on Oct. 28, starting with morning worship at 10:30. Wesley R. Pitts, former director of missions for Cumberland Baptist Association and a former church member, will lead the service. His wife, Diane, former member and church pianist, will be part of the service. A meal will follow. For reservations and cost information, call 931-647-3814 or e-mail pastor Kim Allen at allenk@lwfbc.com. An afternoon celebration will begin at 1:30 p.m. [Read more…]

CHURCHES

Rocky Point Baptist Church, Russellville, recently celebrated 152 years of ministry and missions with a homecoming celebration. Maurice Quillen brought the message and David Hawkins, director of missions for Nolachucky Baptist Association, presented a plaque to Pastor Ross Woody recognizing the church for 150 years of cooperation with the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

The Helping Hands group of Lebanon Baptist Church, Talbott, recently made skirts and scarves for girls in an orphanage in India. They also provided shoes for children. [Read more…]

CHURCHES

Smyrna Baptist Church, Humboldt, will observe homecoming on Sept. 16 with guest speaker Charles Pratt. The church is celebrating its 43rd anniversary in 2018.

The women’s ministry of Oaklawn Baptist Church, Winchester, will present its 10th annual Women’s Conference on Oct. 20 with award-winning speaker and best selling author Liz Curtis Higgs. She has authored 37 books, with 4.6 million copies in print. The program also includes Christian humorist Thelma Lou. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. For more information and a registration form, visit oaklawnbaptistchurch.org. [Read more…]

CHURCHES

Williams Chapel Baptist Church, Springfield, will hold a homecoming celebration on Sept. 23 at 11 am. Former Southern Baptist Convention and Tennessee Baptist pastor Jim Henry of Orlando, Fla., will be the guest speaker. A covered dish lunch will follow the service.

First Baptist Church, Atwood, will hold revival services Sept. 9-12 with evangelist Phil Glisson of Memphis.

The Parkway Quilters of Parkway Baptist Church, Goodlettsville, recently made 30 children’s quilts for the Ronald McDonald House.

Charleston Baptist Church, Stanton, will hold revival services Sept. 9-12 with Jerry Drace, evangelist and pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Friendship. Jay Whalen, minister of music at Smyrna Baptist Church, Burlison, will lead the music. Services will be held at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday and on Monday-Wednesday at 7 p.m. [Read more…]