LEADERS

Ray Van Neste

Ray Van Neste, professor of biblical studies at Union University, Jackson, has been appointed as dean of the university’s School of Theology and Missions. Van Neste has served on the Union faculty since 2001 and also is director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies. He will begin his role as dean on June 1.

Jason Curtis was called in March as pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, Winchester and was ordained on April 8. He formerly was a member of First Baptist Church, Cowan. This is his first pastorate.

David Wall retired as pastor of Harmony Baptist Church, Tullahoma, on March 25. He was named pastor emeritus. Wall founded Unity Baptist Mission in 2005 and the congregation merged with Spring Creek Baptist Church in 2015, taking the name Harmony Baptist Church. He previously served Center Grove Baptist Church, Tullahoma, for 24 years. Wall and his wife Pat were presented gifts of appreciation on April 8. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Joe Wright

Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Savannah, has called Jonathan Barnard as pastor to students and children. He had been living in Gulfport, Miss., while attending New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Stefanie, have three children.

Joe Wright, director of missions for Dyer Baptist Association, based in Dyersburg, for the past 18 years, has resigned to become executive director of the Bivocational Small Church Leadership Network. He was honored by the association for his service during a farewell reception held April 14 at the BCM center on the campus of Dyersburg State Community College.

Calvary Baptist Church, Brownsville, recently called Barry W. Presley as pastor. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Russ Wilkins

Russ Wilkins, former associate pastor for students, missions, and education at First Baptist Church, Huntingdon, has been named director of missions for Shiloh Baptist Association. Wilkins is a former admissions counselor at Union University in Jackson and youth pastor at Oakfield Baptist Church, Oakfield. Shiloh Association is comprised of 47 churches in McNairy and Hardin Counties.

John Adams, a former university administrator at Union University in Jackson who is now serving in his 31st interim pastorate at Spring Hill Baptist Church, Trenton, and Gayle Alexander, who has served as pastor of churches in Tennessee and Mississippi, have written Who Is In Control of The Church: A Guide to Unity and Peace Within the Church. The two men have more than 100 combined years of experience. The book offers a “big picture” look at what the church expects from the pastor, what the pastor should expect from the church, and how people in positions of authority can work together under the submission of God’s ultimate authority. The book is available on Amazon by title and authors. [Read more…]

ASSOCIATIONS

Lawrence County Baptist Association is sponsoring “Returning to Holiness Through Spiritual Renewal” April 22-25. Sessions and locations include Summertown Baptist Church, Summertown, April 21, 7 p.m.; April 22, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; First Baptist Church, Loretto, 6:30 p.m., April 23; Leoma Baptist Church, Leoma, 6:30 p.m., April 24; and Macedonia Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, 6:30 p.m., April 25. Gregory Frizzell, founder and president of Gregory Frizzell Prayer & Renewal Ministries, will lead the sessions.

Robertson County Baptist Association will hold its semi-annual meeting April 17 at 6:30 a.m. at Cross Roads Baptist Church, Greenbrier. David Leavell, president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and pastor of First Baptist Church, Millington, will speak about his vision for reaching the lost. [Read more…]

EVENTS

The Flintville Community Revival will be held March 25-30 at 7 p.m. each night. A tent will be set up across from Flintville School. A different pastor will speak each night: Chester Slayton, Pleasant Grove Baptist, March 25; Milton Martin, Pleasant Hill Baptist, March 26; Josh Moran, First Baptist Church, Flintville, March 27; Ian Bloxham, Lincoln Baptist, March 28; Winfred Slayton, Gum Springs Baptist, March 29; and Don Pierson, Stewart’s Chapel Baptist, March 30.

Author Bob Goff will speak at Union University April 17 at a dinner hosted by the Union University Auxiliary. Goff is the New York Times bestselling author of “Love Does,” honorary consul to the Republic of Uganda and an attorney who founded Love Does, a nonprofit human rights organization operating in Uganda, India, Nepal, Iraq and Somalia. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center. For more information about the event, including table sponsors and how to register, call (731) 661-5050.

LEADERS

Russ Noss was called as pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Cross Plains, effective March 4. He and his wife, Amanda, have three children.

Springfield Baptist Church, Springfield, has called Dan Garland, director of church partnerships at LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, as interim pastor. He began serving at the church Feb. 4.

First Baptist Church, LaFollette, has called Joe Sorah and Bill Horner as co-interim pastors. Sorah, compassion ministries specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, will conduct Sunday morning and evening services and work with standing committees as needed, while Horner will lead the Wednesday night services and be on call during the week as needed.

EVENTS

The Bells Community Revival is scheduled for March 18-21 and will rotate between Walnut Hill Baptist Church and  Cross Roads Baptist Church. The Sunday night service features The Barnett Family in concert at Cross Roads at 6:00 p.m. Remaining services are at 6:30 p.m.  The Monday night service is at Walnut Hill with Josh Simmons.  The Tuesday night service is at Cross Roads with Justin Moreland and the Wednesday night service is at Walnut Hill with Larry Murphy.

ASSOCIATION

Lawrence County Baptist Association is sponsoring “Returning to Holiness Through Spiritual Renewal” April 22-25. Sessions and locations include Summertown Baptist Church, Summertown, April 22, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; First Baptist Church, Loretto, 6:30 p.m., April 23; Leoma Baptist Church, Leoma, 6:30 p.m., April 24; and Macedonia Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, 6:30 p.m., April 25. Gregory Frizzell, founder and president of Gregory Frizzell Prayer & Renewal Ministries, will lead the sessions. [Read more…]

DEATHS

Nina Ruth Miller, 84, a member of Lantana Road Baptist Church, Crossville, died Feb. 1. She served in ministry with her husband, Roy Lee Miller, for 61 years. He is a former staff member of the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (now Tennessee Baptist Mission Board). In addition to her husband she is survived by four children and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

CHURCHES

First Baptist Church, Middleton, will begin revival services on Sunday, Feb. 25, and continue through Tuesday, Feb. 27. The guest evangelist will be Roc Collins of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. The Sunday morning service begins at 10:55 a.m. and the evening service at 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday services begin at 7 p.m. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Bob Brown, executive director of Lakeway Christian Schools, Morristown, is serving as interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Pigeon Forge. He formerly served on the staff of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

Scott Patty

Scott Patty, founding pastor of Grace Community Church, Nashville, has written Words of Grace: A 100 Day Devotional. The book is a pastor’s encouragement, written with the congregation in mind, to build a life centered on God’s Word. Each day’s reading starts with the Scripture and the devotion expands on the Scripture and is designed to shape the reader’s mind by a vision of God and stir their heart’s affection for Him. The book will be released on March 1 and is available at LifeWay Christian Stores and everywhere books are sold. [Read more…]

CHURCHES

Pastor James Dean, right, of New Day Church, Nashville, presents the church’s first donation through the Cooperative Program to Lewis McMullen, new churches group leader/church planting specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

The Glade Church, Mount Juliet, will host The Whole Child Initiative on Jan. 27. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the event concludes at 5:15 p.m. The event, which is sponsored by the Southeast Produce Council, will provide continuing education credits to social workers and foster parents. The meeting features local presenters who can connect caregivers and professionals to trauma-sensitive resources in the area. Childcare and lunch are provided. For more information, including cost, visit wholechildinitiative.org/events.

Grace Baptist Mission in Braden recently was voted into the Fayette Baptist Association as it constituted into a church from its missions status. Dennis Golden is pastor. [Read more…]