TENNESCENE DEC. 7-20

LEADERS

Bill Small, pastor, Rockford Baptist Church, Rockford, and his wife Mickie, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Clark Street Baptist Church, Johnson City, ordained Donald L. Minor to the ministry recently.

Woodlawn Baptist Church, Bristol, called Jonathan W. Casteel as pastor effective Nov. 1.

Chris Pass has been called as pastor, Grandview Baptist Church, Maryville.

First Baptist Church, Alcoa, has called Matt Giles as pastor.

Travis Eggers has been called as pastor, West Maryville Baptist Church, Maryville.

Washington Avenue Baptist Church, Cleveland, welcomed new pastor, Jason Butte, recently.

First Baptist Church, Monterey, called Corey Carroll as senior pastor recently.

CHURCHES

Fosterville Baptist Church, Bell Buckle, will present a Christian program on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. A fellowship meal will follow. For more information, contact 615-233-5380 or bellbuckle.tn@live.com.

Bethlehem Inn, a dinner show, will be presented by Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek, Dec. 10-11 beginning at 6 p.m. The event is free but reservations are required. For more information, call 615-218-4422.

SCHOOLS

Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, has been named to the 2015 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. The award comes from the Corporation for National and Community Service. It is the fifth straight year C-N has been named to the list.

DEATHS

Harry Wills, 72, a former pastor of Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Mountain City, died Oct. 30 in Johnson City. A member of First Baptist Church, Mountain City, he also was an interim pastor and worked at Burlington Industries. He and his wife of 48 years, Nancy, adopted eight children. He is survived by Nancy, eight children, 11 grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

ASSOCIATIONS

Cumberland Gap Baptist Association, based in Harrogate, has begun sharing space with Regional Education Center Ministries operated by Roger and Judy Hansard who are North American Mission Board missionaries. REC Ministries will use the new association Baptist Center for offices and community education classes.

This team from Maury Baptist Association, based in Columbia, pause during their recent missions work in Togiak, Alaska, with Samaritan’s Purse. The team built a church for the Yubick tribe. From left are Bryan Neve; Mike Green; David Ward, pastor, Allensville Baptist Church; Jack Adams; Dustin Laster, pastor, Hampshire First Baptist Church; Terry Miller; Kenny Marsh; Steve Wade; Dale Ledbetter, director of missions; Randy Hankins and Bob Mehr.
Two directors of missions who retired during the past year were honored at the Tennessee Baptist Convention annual meeting. They were Jimmy Furr, left, Carroll-Benton Baptist Association, based in Huntingdon, and Mike Kemper, Lawrence County Baptist Association, based in Leoma, who stands with his wife Kathy.
Elected recently as 2017 officers of the Tennessee Baptist Directors of Missions Association were, from left, Kirk Casey, Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association, based in Crossville, secretary/treasurer; Tim Key, New Duck River Baptist Association, based in Shelbyville, president; and Jack Long, Beulah Baptist Association, based in Union City, vice president.
This group from International Community Church, Smyrna, pauses during a Language Retreat on storytelling as a way to witness and teach held by Nashville Baptist Association. As a result, 10 people made professions of faith and 35 rededicated their lives, reported Ray Fairchild of the NBA staff. ICC has members from Laos and Burma. Eighty-three people attended. Helping sponsor the event were Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood, and private donations.
Members of Bethel Baptist Church, Greenfield, pause during their collection of 551 shoe box gifts for Operation Christmas Child of Samaritan’s Purse this year. The church draws about 145 to Sunday morning services. The shoe box coordinator was Jackie Pentecost.
Leaders of Fellowship Baptist Church, Mount Juliet, pause recently as the church celebrated paying off its property while increasing missions giving. The church increased giving through the Cooperative Program to 7 percent and the Baptist association to 3 percent, reported Fred Vantrease, pastor. From left are Guy Perry, Mary Syler, Paul Williams, and Vantrease.
Blake Gilliland, a student of Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, does landscaping work at First Baptist Church, Dandridge, as part of the school’s Operation Inasmuch project which drew 450 students who participated in the service blitz on Nov. 5. Gilliland is a member of Grace Baptist Church, Knoxville. C-N has held the ministry project for 11 years. Students worked at 32 project sites in three counties.
These new deacons were ordained recently by Ewtonville Baptist Church, Dunlap. They are, from left, Joe Blair, Adam Green, Ronnie Terry, and Danny Nelson.
On Nov. 19, following the devastating fires in Gatlinburg, Megan Peterson and other Carson-Newman University students and campus community began loading supplies on a Sevier County-bound truck. The items were delivered to those affected by the disaster. The effort continued throughout the week as the university became a drop-off site for donated items.
John Garner, left, pastor of Belmont Heights Baptist Church, Nashville, was honored by the Tennessee Baptist Foundation as an honorary trustee on Dec. 2. He was presented an award by Foundation President Bill Gruenewald. Garner has served as a TBF trustee for two different terms, totaling 17 years. He rotated off this year after serving as chairman.