DEATHS
Dan Johnson
Dan Johnson, minister of music at Glenwood Baptist Church, Nashville, died Oct. 22 at the age of 83 after a battle with cancer. He had served at Glenwood for the past 11 years. Johnson was retired from LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville where he served for 32 years in the church music department.
During his tenure at LifeWay he served several area churches. In recent years, he was a member of the Tennessee Baptist Men’s Chorale, the Barbershop Harmony Quartet Society and the Nashville Symphony Chorale. He also served in the U.S. Army as a chaplain’s assistant. He is survived by his wife, Chere, three children and four grandchildren.
ASSOCIATIONS
New Salem Baptist Association recently moved into its new ministry center located at 116 Third Avenue West in Carthage.
CHURCHES
Morris Memorial Baptist Church, Moscow, will host gospel music singer Ivan Parker for a concert on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. The concert is free, but a love offering will be taken.
First Baptist Church, Somerville, will host IMB missionary Gail Davis on Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. for a “Chosen Into Woven-ness” Brunch for ladies. There is no cost, but call the church at 901-465-3528 for reservations.
First Baptist Church, Fall Branch, will present “A Journey Through Bethlehem” Dec. 7-9 from 6-8:30 p.m. each evening. The event will be an outdoor, interactive experience as attendees will experience the excitement of the birth of Jesus while hearing also of His death and resurrection. Admission is free. Those attending are asked to park at ADESA East Tennessee Auto Auction on 195 Joe McCrary Road and transportation will be provided to and from the church.
First Baptist Church, Pegram, will present its 8th annual “Drive thru Bethelehem” on Dec. 8 from 6-8 p.m. The story of Christmas will be presented from the time the angel appeared to Mary until the wise men arrived when Jesus was 2 years old. The church is located at 4548 Sunnyfield Drive.
LEADERS
Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Cookeville, held a retirement banquet for their retiring pastor Earl Dirkson and his wife on Dec. 5. Following 28 years of spiritual leadership, sacrifice and commitment in the role of senior pastor, Dirkson assumed his current role as pastor emeritus in July.
Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, is launching an initiative to enhance the green space along Mossy Creek in honor of President J. Randall O’Brien and First Lady Kay O’Brien, who are retiring at the end of this year. The “J. Randall and Kay O’Brien Amphitheatre at Mossy Creek” will feature tiered seating that faces Mossy Creek, designed to complement the natural green space and a stage area for musical, theatrical, academic and community uses. Construction could begin as early as Spring 2019. An anonymous donor contributed a lead cost to launch the fundraising effort. The fundraising goal is $500,000. For more information, call 865-471-3457.
Lester Morelock recently was called as pastor of First Baptist Church, Jonesborough.
King Springs Baptist Church, Johnson City, has called Gary Addington as pastor.
Gibson Baptist Association elected officers during its annual meeting Oct. 29 at Salem Baptist Church, Trenton. Officers, from left, are Joel Pigg, assistant treasurer; Leann Cherry, clerk; Roger Stacy, director of missions; Jim Acree, treasurer; Billy Criswell, moderator; and Steve Littleton, assistant moderator.
Letter to the Editor
I want to thank Tennessee Baptists for the privilege of serving as 2018 Pastors Conference President. It was a high honor and one of the highlights of my life. I hope everyone was blessed and encouraged by the music and messages.
I want to encourage every Tennessee Baptist to keep being faithful, keep working, keep preaching, keep witnessing, keep praying, keep ministering and keep serving “until Jesus comes!”
May God bless you and your churches.
— Tim McGehee
2018 Pastors Conference president
