DEATHS

Oran Creasman

D. Oran Creasman, 82, retired pastor of Riceville, died Oct. 8. He was pastor emeritus of Eastanallee Baptist Church, Riceville, which he served from 1965-2001 as music director and then as pastor. He then was interim pastor of several churches. Creasman was a member of the Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board. He also was an educator. From 1965-85 he was assistant principal and then principal of McMinn County High School. He served on a missions team in Hong Kong and was a leader of several community organizations. Creasman led prayer during a visit of President Ronald Reagan to Athens. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia; four children; brother Carl of Riceville, who has been a parliamentarian of the TBC; brother Herschel of Florida; sister Ozelle of Athens; seven grandchildren; and one great grandchild. [Read more…]

DEATHS

Jim Richards

Jim Richards, 78, a longtime Southern Baptist minister, died recently in Memphis. He was a Southern Baptist missionary in the Dominican Republic and interim director of missions, Big Hatchie Baptist Association, based in Covington, in 2016 and 2007. Richards was former interim pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Covington. He also worked for Southern Baptist organizations in Arizona and Florida. [Read more…]

DEATHS

Beth Prowse

Murl “Bud” Webb, 77, of Knoxville, died Aug. 28. He was the husband of Caroll, who is a retired North American Mission Board missionary who served at Montgomery Village Baptist Center, Knoxville, of Knox County Baptist Association.

Beth Prowse, 84, of Cookeville, died Sept. 12. She was the wife of the late Michael Prowse. They were married for 56 years. He was director of missions, Stone Baptist Association, and other associations and pastor of churches including Oak Grove Baptist Church, Springfield, and director of education, First Baptist Church, Columbia.  She was secretary and Vacation Bible School director for Stone Association; regional coordinator for Tennessee Baptist Convention Youth Bible Drills; and an active member of First Baptist Church, Cookeville. Prowse is survived by three sons, 10 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Clay Gilbreath

Mike Glenn, senior pastor, Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood, recently was recognized by the church on his 25th anniversary as pastor.

Clay Gilbreath, pastor, Western Valley Baptist Church, Covington, for 10 years, was called as director of missions, Big Hatchie Baptist Association, based in Covington, recently. He also was youth director, Smyrna Baptist Church, Burlison; Victory Baptist Church, Henning; Oak Grove Baptist Church, Covington;  and Garland Baptist Church, Covington. Then Gilbreath was associate pastor, Garland Baptist.

Gene Roberts has been called as associate pastor of worship/discipleship of a church in Leicester, N.C. He was pastor, Hillcrest Baptist Church, LaFollette.

DEATHS

Donald Cooper, 65, of Kenton, died Aug. 15 just about three weeks after he retired as pastor, China Grove Baptist Church, Rutherford. He formerly was pastor, Laneview Baptist Church, Kenton; and Mount Gilead Baptist Church, Cedar Grove. Cooper also did missions work in Michigan, Ohio, and Belize and was active in the denomination. He is survived by his  wife of 45 years, Connie; two children; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

LEADERS

Rutledge Falls Baptist Church, Tullahoma, recently took a team of 65 people to Townsend for a fifth year where they ministered in three campgrounds. The group also saw at least one person baptized as a result of their ministry.

Bakers Gap Baptist Church, Mountain City, saw the previous year’s record broken on Vacation Bible School attendance — 127 children and youth this year, up from 125 last year. Bakers Gap Baptist draws about 65 people to Sunday morning activities. Because of his challenge for a record-breaking attendance, Dennis Peterson, pastor, preached from a tree on a Sunday morning two weeks later. Appropriately his sermon was about Zacchaeus who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. The church also saw 21 participants make professions of faith and the second largest class attended by teens. “The church goes all out for Bible school,” said Peterson. Members use a van to pick up students and provide an evening meal. They begin planning in January for VBS. Through VBS, “we get into some homes that we can’t get into the rest of the year,” he reported.

Grace Falls Church, Fayetteville, will hold its second annual Women’s Conference Oct. 21-22. Jenny Frith will speak and Tammy Haney will lead worship. For more information, contact Haney at thaney@fmamd.com or 931-625-5200.

Smyrna Baptist Church, Burlison, will hold its annual homecoming Oct. 2. Clay and Greg Gilbreath will be recognized. They are both ministers who grew up at Smyrna Baptist and were staff members. Clay is director of missions, Big Hatchie Baptist Association, based in Covington, and Greg is pastor, Madison Baptist Church, Jackson. A potluck luncheon will follow morning activities. Also, an Oct. 2-5 revival will begin. Mike Melton will preach. For more information, contact 901-476-1283 or pimmi@att.net.

First Baptist Church, Dresden, will host Ivan Parker and Josh Parker in concert on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m. For more information, contact 731-364-2212 or dresfbc@frontiernet.net.

Highland Park Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, will hold a Crafts on the Green event on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Space rental is $15. Fees will benefit the church’s senior adult activities. For more information contact 931-363-1876 or cotton129@gmail.com.

Whitehaven Baptist Church, Memphis, will celebrate its 168th anniversary Sept. 18. Former staff members Tom Rives and Billy Appling will lead the worship service. On Sept. 11 Pastor Jim Meredith was honored on his tenure anniversary (see photo and information below). For more information, contact 901-332-4642 or wbc4800@att.net.

New Hope Baptist Church, Paris, will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Oct. 2 at 10:30 a.m. Former pastors will speak. For more information, contact newhopebaptist1380@att.net or Glynn Orr, pastor, at 270-293-2329.

Thompson Creek Baptist Church, Como, celebrated its 185th anniversary on Aug. 14. Retired pastor Jerry Powell preached. Thompson Creek is the oldest church in the Weakley County Baptist Association, based in Dresden. Also the church will hold a revival Sept. 25-28. David Worley, pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Greenfield, will preach. For more information, contact billyross1@charter.net or  731-642-2509.

Fosterville Baptist Church, Bell Buckle, will hold homecoming Sept. 18. Glenn Chrisman will speak at the 11 a.m. service. For more information, contact FostervilleBaptistChurch@hotmail.com or 615-233-5380.

Fayette Baptist Association, based in Somerville, will send a missions team to Guatemala Dec. 1-6 to support the Tennessee/Guatemala Baptist Partnership. To keep the cost down, a commitment needs to be made by Sept. 15. For more information, contact Charles Pratt at CPMpratt@gmail.com or 901-465-8613.

CHURCHES

Oak Hill Baptist Church, Crossville, will hold homecoming on Sept. 11 with worship beginning at 10 a.m. Jim Mersereau, pastor, will preach and a luncheon will be held. For more information, contact joycetjewell@gmail.com or 931-484-5065.

First Baptist Church, Millersville, will hold revival services Sept. 18-21. Phil Glisson, evangelist of Memphis, will preach.

First Baptist Church, Selmer, will celebrate its 125th anniversary Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. For more information, contact selmerfbc@yahoo.com or 731-645-5326.

First Baptist Church, Nashville, just served for the 10th year at Lynnwood Lynnridge Apartments in Elizabethton. The Nashville team provided Backyard Bible Clubs for children and teens and block parties. They also built a handicap ramp and did some repairs for two homeowners.

Big Springs Baptist Church, Elizabethton, will celebrate 75 years of ministry Sept. 11 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Mark Chatman, pastor, will preach and Carol Kyker and Elaine Emmert will provide special music. For more information, contact Chatman at chatmanmark@yahoo.com or 423-794-6373.

First Baptist Church, Bolivar, is holding revival activities which began Aug. 21. On Sept. 11 a solemn assembly will be held and on Sept. 18-21 revival services featuring Phil Jett, pastor emeritus, Englewood Baptist Church, Jackson; Jordan Easley, pastor, Englewood Baptist; and Bartholomew Orr, pastor, Brown Missionary Baptist Church, Southaven, Miss. For more information, contact fbcbolivartn@gmail.com or 731-658-5123.

The second annual river baptism of Grace Baptist Church, Springfield, drew 22 people who were baptized on Aug. 7, reported Jeff Smoak, pastoral intern. The church has seen a total of 96 people baptized this year. Last year 17 people were baptized in the river. Grace Baptist draws about 570 to Sunday morning activities.

EVENTS

Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board Ministries and Knox County Baptist Association will hold Rekindle — Fanning the Flames of Christian Leadership, a church revitalization workshop, Sept. 1 at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, Knoxville. Tom Cheyney, executive director of missions, Greater Orlando Baptist Association, who was with the North American Mission Board, and John Mark Clifton, church planter, church revitalizer, and missions strategist, will speak. For more information, contact Steve Holt of the TBC staff at sholt@tnbaptist.org or Tiffany Pyron at tpyron@tnbaptist.org or 615-371-7908.

DEATHS

Fred Witty Jr., 93, retired Baptist Student Union (now Baptist Collegiate Ministry) director, died Aug. 12 in Johnson City. He was BSU director at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, from 1956-91. He also was citywide director of Baptist Student Union work in Louisville, Ky. Witty was a member of Central Baptist Church, Johnson City. He is survived by his wife, Joy, and three children.

LEADERS

Jim Didlake was called as pastor, Saint Clair Baptist Church, Spring City.

Ken Jordan has been called as interim pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Elizabethton.

Gary Roe has been called as pastor of Fairview Baptist Church, Watauga.

Wesley Duncan has been called as pastor of Union Baptist Church, Hampton.

Norman Markland Jr., has been called as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hampton.

Bobby Sanders was called as interim pastor, Springville Baptist Church, Springville, July 20.

Don Davis has been called as pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Morristown.

Parkway Baptist Church, Morristown, has called Mike Elkins as pastor.

Kyle Hutchinson of Oklahoma has been called as minister of students/activities, First Baptist Church, Bolivar, effective Aug. 28.

Joshua Franks was called as pastor, First Baptist Church, Bruceton, effective Aug. 8. He was formerly pastor, Walker Memorial Baptist Church, Franklin. Franks is a graduate of Liberty University. Ken Zike, a retired pastor, was interim pastor.

William Hunter Hay V has resigned as pastor, First Baptist Church, Woodbury, to begin a new church in Wilson County.

First Baptist Church, Gallatin, has called Adam Correll, deacon, as interim minister to students.

DEATHS

Tony Latham

Tony Latham, 70, retired minister, died July 27 in Jackson. He was a missionary for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board in the Philippines and the Ukraine from 1975-2004. He also was a home missionary in Maryland. After this service, Latham was pastor, Howse Baptist Church, Atwood, for 10 years. Latham also was a member of the Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board from 2008-11 and volunteer missions director and moderator for Carroll-Benton Baptist Association, based in Huntingdon. He earned a doctorate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. Latham is survived by his wife Kathy of Jackson, two sons, and three grandchildren.

Lawrence Pack

Lawrence B. Pack, 98, retired minister, died June 27 in Greeneville. He served 73 years in the ministry. Pack was pastor, Greenelawn Baptist Church, Greeneville; Blue Springs Baptist Church, Rutledge; and Roan Hill Baptist Church, Johnson City. He also served a church in Virginia.

Mary Fleta “Pete” Pickel, 90, died July 19 in Knoxville. She taught Sunday School classes for 77 years at Mount Harmony Baptist Church, Knoxville, where she was a lifelong member. In fact Pickel taught her senior adult ladies class three weeks before she passed away. Pickel, a single woman, also was well-known in the area partly because she had always lived there. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Enough Grace Ministries led by Candise Farmer of Tennessee Valley Community Church, Paris, will hold a Rest for the Soul Ladies Retreat Oct. 21-22. Stormie Omartian will speak. The retreat, which is also for teenage girls, will be held at Paris Landing State Park, Buchanan. For more information, contact enoughgraceministries@gmail.com or rest4thesoul.com.

CHURCHES

 Short Creek Baptist Church, Christiana, will hold its annual homecoming on the grounds Aug. 14 with singing beginning at 10:30 a.m. Dave Christianao will speak. For more information, contact Pastor Mark Rosson at 615-692-4146 or annettebll@aol.com. [Read more…]

ASSOCIATIONS

Robertson County Baptist Association, based in Springfield, bought $1,750 of equipment for its block party closet. The funds came from the Vacation Bible School consignment program of LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville. To receive the funds, 16 of the association’s churches allowed the association to place their order for the curriculum within a two week period to receive 15 percent of total cost, reported Janice Bierod of the association.

Polk County Baptist Association, based in Benton, has recently partnered with two Georgia churches on ministry projects including the Appalachian Regional Ministry Christmas Backpack program and a snack pack ministry in schools, reported Ryan Potts, director of missions.

Holston Baptist Association, based in Johnson City, will hold its carnival workers ministry beginning Aug. 15 for the Appalachian Fair which will be held Aug. 22-27. For more information, contact the association at 423-929-1196 or kim@holstonbaptist.org. [Read more…]

LEADERS

The Kempers

Mike Kemper, director of missions, Lawrence County Baptist Association, based in Leoma, will retire July 31 and he and Kathy, his wife, will be thanked on July 24 at Leoma Baptist Church, Leoma, from 2-4 p.m. Kemper has served the association for three years. Formerly he was DOM, Gibson Baptist Association, based in Trenton, for seven years; and a missionary along with Kathy for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board to Romania, Costa Rica, and Argentina for 12 years. Kemper also was a pastor for 25 years, serving Green River Baptist Church, Waynesboro; White Hall Baptist Church, Trenton, and Childs Memorial Baptist Church, South Harriman. He also served two churches in Arkansas. He and Kathy will retire in Jackson.

Terrell Marcom has served Excell Baptist Church, Clarksville, as pastor for 20 years. He serves along with his wife Dana. “You have made and are making a difference in our lives, our children’s lives, and in the welfare of our community,” reported Michael Williams of the church.

Brian Prince, student pastor, First Baptist Church, Gallatin, has resigned effective June 26.

Vickie Clemons, ministry assistant, Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union, was honored recently by the Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board staff, on five years of tenure. After the retirement of Linda Rader, administrative assistant, Tennessee WMU, who served 15 years, Clemons was named administrative assistant.

Jacob Newman has been called as youth minister, Siam Baptist Church, Elizabethton.

J.D. Bosheers has resigned as pastor, Mount Horeb Baptist Church, Ethridge.

David Gallaher has resigned as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Leoma. He is available for pulpit supply.

Marvin “Keith” Pryor Jr. has been called as interim pastor, Eastwood Baptist Church, Cookeville.

Rogers Creek Baptist Church, Athens, has called Jamie Lones as pastor. He formerly was pastor of Rogers Creek Baptist Church, Athens.

Oak Grove Baptist Church, Athens, has called Titus Snyder as pastor.

Union Hill Baptist Church, Athens, has called Jimmy Lewis as pastor.

CHURCHES

Cynthia King and Carol Milam of First Baptist Church, Sevierville, are leading a missions team to Guatemala July 1-11. They will work with Bob Henriques of Camino Global Missions. For more information, contact King at 865-654-4875 or Milam at 865-851-4026.

Clear Creek Baptist Church, Crossville, and Pastor Chip Bond are enjoying the newly renovated parsonage. Many volunteers from Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association helped in this project.

Parkway Baptist Church, Goodlettsville, will hold its Basketball Camp July 11-14 for children grades 1-7. Picasso Simmons, a coach for an area middle school, will help lead it.

ASSOCIATIONS

Mid-South Baptist Association, based in Memphis, will hold an Adventures in Missions Girls Camp July 5-9 at The Grove at Red Oak Lake. For more information, contact midsouthbaptist.com/wmu or 901-373-6161.

Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association, based in Crossville, and Sequatchie Valley Baptist Association, based in Whitwell, held its annual joint missions trip in May. The seven volunteers renovated flooded houses in Johnsonville, S.C., working with other Baptists. The volunteers enjoyed getting to know the homeowners and witnessing to them, reported Kirk Casey, director of missions, Cumberland Plateau Association. Plans are for the next rebuild project to be held Sept. 18-24. For more information, contact cpba4ma@gmail.com or 931-484-1858.

Holston Baptist Association, based in Johnson City, will hold Southern Baptist Seminary Extension courses in a three-year plan. The fall classes will include Genesis Part 1 taught by William Lunsford, pastor, Southside Baptist Church, Johnson City, and Old Testament Survey Part 1 with teacher to be announced. For more information contact kim@holstonbaptists.org or 423-929-1196.

Hamilton County Baptist Association, based in Chattanooga, will hold English as a Second Language Workshop Training Aug. 13 and 20. For more information, contact 423-267-3794 or hcba@baptistassociation.com.

William Carey Baptist Association, based in Fayetteville, will send a team to the Cincinnati, Ohio, area July 23-29 to help a church planter there. The effort is to support the Tennessee/Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, Baptist Partnership. For more information, contact 931-433-3631 or wcba@fpunet.com.

Fayette Baptist Association, based in Somerville, is planning to plant a church to reach the 85 percent of unchurched people in its fast growing county, reported Charles Pratt, director of missions.

EVENTS

LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, will hold Living Proof Live with Beth Moore Aug. 5-6 at the Municipal Auditorium, Nashville. For more information, contact lifeway.com.

Carl Yarnell

DEATHS

Carl F. Yarnell Jr., 89, former Southern Baptist missionary and pastor, died May 28 in Jefferson City. He served through the International Mission Board in Singapore, Malaysia, and Guam and was pastor of churches in California and Tennessee. Most recently Yarnell was a member of Buffalo Grove Baptist Church, Jefferson City. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Mary Pate, seven children including two informally adopted, five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

LEADERS

James Noble

James Noble, pastor of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church, Memphis, will join the Anderson University faculty as assistant professor of pastoral ministry. Anderson University is located in Anderson, S.C. Noble currently is vice president of the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

Travis Fleming

Travis Fleming, senior pastor, Union Avenue Baptist Church, Memphis, was called as senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Gallatin, May 22. Formerly he was lay pastor for a church in New Orleans, La., a church planter, and construction coordinator for Operation Noah Rebuild of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. The rebuild effort was in response to Hurricane Katrina.

Tom and Cindy Jenkins, members of First Baptist Church, Morristown, and volunteers with Disaster Relief of Nolachucky Baptist Association, will serve in Africa for a year beginning June 25. They will serve through the Southern Baptist International Mission Board as volunteers. Cindy is a surgical nurse who retired early for this assignment as assistant medical coordinator for missionaries. Tom is a retired builder/contractor who is codirector of God’s Warehouse of the association’s DR. Tom will assume various supportive roles to missionaries. The couple will be funding all of their expenses while on the field. [Read more…]