By Charlie Wertherington
Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes
BRENTWOOD — Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes President/Treasurer Bryant Millsaps has announced his intention to step down from his post on Dec. 31, 2015.
Millsaps joined the TBCH staff in 1998 as assistant to Gerald Stow, president/treasurer. He was selected as Stow’s successor and began his service as president/treasurer in 2000. When he completes his tenure at the end of 2015, Millsaps will have completed a total of 18 years of service to TBCH.
“It has been a real joy and blessing to be able to serve the TBCH family over the last 17 years. I am grateful to God, the TBCH board of trustees, and the wonderful TBCH staff and family for the opportunity to serve the Lord in this way,” Millsaps said.
Upon learning of Millsaps’ decision to step down from his role at TBCH, Randy C. Davis, executive director/treasurer, Tennessee Baptist Convention, said, “I’m thankful for the articulate vision God laid on Dr. Millsaps’ heart for the ministry of Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes now and moving forward. I’ve appreciated, too, Dr. Millsaps’ friendship and stewardship as I’ve transitioned into my role as executive director. My wife and I love Bryant and Robbie and look forward to their continued work in the kingdom.”
TBCH board of trustees chairman James Yarbro of Martin recently commented on Millsaps’ service as well as the process that is now underway to find and name his successor. “Dr. Millsaps has provided consistently strong leadership to all aspects of the TBCH ministry. He has steered this statewide ministry during some very challenging times. Not the least of these has been the inauguration of our statewide foster care network and the Caring Community Ministries to support it that is now underway.”
According to Yarbro, the TBCH board of trustees named a Presidential Search Advisory Committee to identify the ministry’s next president/treasurer. Bruce Chesser, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, is serving as chair of the committee. Serving with him are current trustees: Sharon Sartain (Strawberry Plains), Buddie Carroll (Knoxville), Ken Jones (Thompson Station), Bryan Lyle (Memphis), and David Worley (Greenfield). Additionally three former trustees all of whom were chair of the board are serving on the committee: Michael R. Roberts (Greeneville), Jean Hester (Franklin), and Paul Rose (Covington). The TBCH staff will be represented on the committee by Jeff Epps, Boys Ranch director (Millington).
Applications and nominations will be received by the TBCH Presidential Search Advisory Committee until the close of business on July 31.
