EVENTS
The Beech River Baptist Association will launch its “30 by 2030” evangelism initiative Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Parsons. The five-year plan aims to increase Bible study participation by 30% from 2026-2030 to evangelize the lost, equip believers and expand God’s kingdom. Ken Braddy will provide instruction on characteristics of a healthy Sunday school. Attendees are asked to bring a dessert. Registration is by church only at beechriver.com/30×2030.
New Salem Association recently took donations to the E.TN family they sponsored by rebuilding a home for the Allen family after they lost their home during Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The home was built through the Arise & Build Initiative and New Salem Association adopted the Allen family. A team went to welcome them into their newly finished home and took donated items, gift cards and monetary gifts for them as a welcome gift to their new home. Pictured are Brandon, Ashley, and Addisyn Allen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gary Jared & Brian Smith
Stuart Heights Baptist announces pastoral transition
HIXSON — Stuart Heights Baptist Church announced in November that Senior Pastor Gary Jared will retire in January after 35 years of service, transitioning to pastor emeritus.
Under Jared’s leadership, the church grew to three campuses serving the Chattanooga area with more than 1,000 active members.
“We are deeply grateful for pastor Gary’s years of devoted service,” said Wally Reece, Chair of the Personnel Committee. “This transition allows us to honor his legacy while ensuring strong leadership continuity for our church family.”
The congregation voted to install Brian K. Smith as senior pastor effective Jan. 1. Smith has served as senior associate pastor at Stuart Heights since 2010, contributing to pulpit ministry, member assimilation, staff development and pastoral care.
Smith brings more than 30 years of ministry experience, including roles as lead pastor and church planter of Connection Church in Cleveland, Tennessee, and pastor of Valley View Baptist Church. He holds a doctorate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Jared will preach his final sermon as senior pastor Dec. 28.
Stuart Heights Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist congregation affiliated with the Hamilton County Baptist Association, Tennessee Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist Convention. B&R
C-N wins Moot Court championship
JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University’s Moot Court Team won the Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge in Nashville Nov. 20-23, defeating Vanderbilt University, Sewanee: The University of the South, Belmont University and Milligan University.
The competition allows Tennessee undergraduates to argue appellate cases before legal panels. Students prepare briefs and argue as petitioner and respondent on legal problems.
Pictured are C-N team members, front row, left to right: Keylon Plemons and Molly Bohanan. Second Row: Parker Miller, Douglas Ford, Coleman Byers, Dr. Kara Stooksbury, Sydney Courtney and Anne Marie Richards. (Not pictured is team member Annie Smith.). B&R
