LEADERS

Billy Hoffman, director of development, Southern Baptist International Mission Board, based in Richmond, for 13 years, has been named stewardship development specialist, Tennessee Baptist Convention, effective March 1. Prior to that he was director of annual giving and planned giving, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. Hoffman also served in the U.S. Army, where he was a captain, and has been a church planter and pastor.

Nancy Paul, pianist for North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland, retired recently. She had served as pianist of the church for 57 years. She was honored on Feb. 28 by the congregation. “Simply put, Nancy Paul is a treasure and a legacy,” said Jay McCluskey, pastor. “What a rich heritage that multiple generations of our church family received through the musical blessing of this gifted woman.”

Don Pickrell, Southern Baptist Mission Service Corps missionary and member, Rechoboth Baptist Church, Soddy Daisy, led a missions team of 17 people who were mostly from Rechoboth Baptist to Guatemala during December. They worked with AMG International’s schools there. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Fred Ward, pastor, First Baptist Church, Huntingdon, for almost 30 years, will be honored on his upcoming retirement on Feb. 28. The celebration will be held at 10:15 a.m., and from 2-4 p.m. For more information, contact the church at fbcht@fbchuntingdon.org or 731-986-5000.

Charles Nored, Baptist Collegiate Ministries director, Motlow State Community College, Lynchburg, was honored recently by the Tennessee Baptist Convention staff on his 35th anniversary as a staff member. He has served Motlow State since 2004, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, from 1985-2004; and Walters State Community College, Morristown, from 1981-85. Nored is a graduate of Delta State University, Cleveland, Miss., and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Floyd Douglas has retired after serving 48 years as Discipleship Training director of Piedmont Baptist Church, Dandridge, and six years as DT director for Jefferson County Baptist Association, based in Jefferson City.

Drake Denning, minister of music, Poplar Grove Baptist Church, Trenton, was ordained to the ministry by Chapel Hill Baptist Church, Milan. His father, Dale Denning, pastor, Chapel Hill Baptist, led the service.

Steve Hemann has been called as pastor, Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, Bradford.

Jeff Lewis, pastor, Bethpage Baptist Church, Kenton, has resigned.

University Heights Baptist Church, Cookeville, ordained Troy Brachey recently. Brachey has been called as pastor of the church. [Read more…]

DEATHS

Bob Campbell, 86, retired minister and director of missions, died Jan. 9 in Collierville. He was DOM of Fayette Baptist Association, based in Somerville, for 10 years. He also was pastor, First Baptist Church, Gleason; Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton; First Baptist Church, Rockwood; and others and helped found First Baptist Church, Macon. Campbell formerly was on the staff of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board and the New England Baptist Convention. Fayette Association developed the Bob Campbell Mission Scholarship Fund several years ago to honor him. Campbell is survived by his wife Ann, three daughters, and several grandchildren.

Ruth S. Bradley, 87, retired staff member of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, died Jan. 9 in Nashville. She worked in the TBC Executive Office for 20 years and as assistant to the recording secretary of the Southern Baptist Convention for 20 years. Bradley is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Bobbie Wilson, 84, died Jan. 17 in Knoxville. She was on the Executive Board of Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union, was WMU director of Knox County Baptist Association and helped organize International Friends, a ministry in the Nashville area. Her husband, Earl Wilson, was president of the Tennessee Baptist Foundation, based in Brentwood, from 1983-95 and was pastor of five churches and interim pastor of 11 churches. She is survived by Earl, her husband of 67 years; two children; two grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Jerry Woods resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crump, effective Dec. 5. He is available as a supply preacher, revival preacher, and as interim pastor. Contact him at jerrydwoods@gmail.com.

Wayne Wester, senior pastor, Highland Baptist Church, Tullahoma, for six years, has been named a church planter of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board in Princeton, Ind. His last Sunday was Nov. 29. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Tom Hodges was honored at the recent annual meeting of Knox County Association of Baptists, based in Knoxville, for serving 10 years as director of Montgomery Village Baptist Center, Knoxville, a ministry directed by the association.

William Robertson, pastor, Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church, Smithville, retired Nov. 8. For the past 29 years he has led Elizabeth Chapel and seen it become the largest church in the Salem Baptist Association. Robertson has served as pastor of churches in Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. He is available for interim work or pulpit supply and can be reached at 615-464-5590.

Mark Allison has been called as pastor, Victory Chapel Baptist Church, Knoxville, recently.

Matt Warden has been called recently as youth pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Yorkville. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Troy Brachey has been called as pastor, University Heights Baptist Church, Cookeville. He was ordained to the ministry by the church on Dec. 6. Steve Farris preached the ordination sermon.

Emmanuel Baptist Church, Humboldt, has called Patrick Adams as children/youth director.

Josh Swinson has resigned as associate pastor and minister to students, Meridian Baptist Church, Knoxville.

West Side Baptist Church, Trenton, has called Terry Branscum as pastor.

CHURCHES

First Baptist Church, Saint Joseph, gave 106 shoe box gifts as part of Operation Christmas Child this year. The effort was led by a girls Sunday School class who challenged the church to triple what they gave last year, reported David Byrd, pastor. The class is made up of four girls, ages 10-14. The church draws about 45 people to Sunday morning activities. “We are so proud of our girls,” said Byrd.

The choir of Hobson Pike Baptist Church, Hermitage, will present the cantata, “Christ Was Born for This,” on Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m. Then at 5 p.m. a candlelight service will be held. For more information, contact Seth Rone, pastor, at 706-587-2172. [Read more…]