LEADERS
Jeremy Wallace began serving in March as pastor of Niles Ferry Baptist Church, Greenback.
Daryl Crouch
Daryl Crouch, senior pastor of Green Hill Baptist Church, Mount Juliet, will resign April 11 to become executive director of Everyone’s Wilson, a coalition of gospel-loving churches who work together for the good of everyone in Wilson County.
Forest Hill Baptist Church, Maryville, has called Andy McCorkle as youth director and Ben Donnell as children’s director.
China Grove Baptist Church, Rutherford, called Wayne Rowan as pastor beginning March 7.
James Twilbeck celebrated his 20th anniversary as director of missions for Western District Baptist Association on April 1.
EVENTS
The “Off the Grid Project,” sponsored by Tennessee Baptist Conference Centers, was created for the purpose of providing outdoor programs for pastoral staff to disconnect, be refreshed and build relationships with people that have a common purpose. The Off the Grid Project is different than most pastoral conferences or conventions. The focus is to help pastors break away from the demands and stress of their ministries and to have the time to reflect and evaluate their personal lives and ministry. The desire is that each pastor will return with clarity, eagerness, and refreshment to further the Kingdom of God. Upcoming events and dates are: April 26-28 – Pastors’ Backpacking Trip; May 3-5 – Pastors’ Fly Fishing Trip; Sept. 10-12 – Pastor & Son Backpacking Trip; and Oct. 18-20 – Pastors’ Backpacking Trip. For information, visit tnbaptistcamps.org/off-the-grid-project/. To make a reservation, e-mail kperrigan@tnbaptist.org or call 423-623-2764.
DEATHS
Janie Frances Hill, a lifelong resident of Lewisburg, died Jan. 21 at the age of 90. Hill served as a church secretary for 60 years in Lewisburg — 30 years at First Baptist and 30 years at Parkview Baptist. She also taught VBS, children and youth and was active in Children’s Bible Drill for many years.
EDUCATION
Ninety-eight percent of graduates from Union University’s College of Pharmacy in 2020 passed the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), the top performance in Tennessee and the eighth highest in the nation. The average pass rate for the test is 88 percent nationally. The NAPLEX is designed to evaluate general practice knowledge and is taken by pharmacy students shortly after graduating. It is one component of the licensure process, and boards of pharmacy use the exam to assess a candidate’s competence to practice as a pharmacist.
Tony Billions, right, recently retired after 44 years in ministry, including the last 16 as pastor of Oak Hill Baptist Church, Fayetteville. He was presented a plaque by David England, director of missions for William Carey Baptist Association.
Beulah Baptist Association held a retirement reception for Jack Long, director of missions, and his wife, Charlotte, on March 21. He retired March 31 after 17 years of service. Long has been in the ministry for 49 years — 28 as a pastor in Tennessee, California and Missouri and the remainder as a director of missions in Tennessee and North Carolina. The Longs will retire to Columbia where he will be available for interim and supply work.
Ben Crabtree, left, recently was presented a pin for 44 years of perfect Sunday School attendance from J.B. King, chairman of deacons at Etter Baptist Church, Byrdstown.
— Photo courtesy of Pickett County Press.
