LEADERS
Ron Hale retired Dec. 16 as pastor of senior adults/pastoral care at West Jackson Baptist Church, Jackson. He served the church for 12 years. Hale is a member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. During retirement, Hale plans to do interim preaching and writing projects. He can be reached at 731-343-5092.
Mark Sheldon
Mark E. Sheldon, pastor of Westview Baptist Church, Kingston Springs, has written a new book, The Terror of the Lord: Expanding Our Understanding of the Character of God, which warns of the wrath of God that is to come while expanding the reader’s understanding of the character of God. Sheldon said the book is designed to broaden readers’ concept of God who is merciful and willing to forgive sinners yet is just. The book can be ordered from Amazon, Books-A-Million, or Barnes & Noble ($14.99). E-books are available on Kindle, Nook, etc., for $9.99.
Green River Baptist Church, Waynesboro, has called Wade Walton of Mississippi as their new pastor. Walton and his wife, Rachel, along with their three children, began their ministry on Dec. 23. The church also recently ordained Christopher Lynch as a deacon.
Four students with Tennessee ties graduated from New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary in December. They included Trevor Seth Sewell, Friendship, graduate certificate in Christian school education; Andrew Bingham, Knoxville, master of arts in worship ministries; Mark Ethan Winfield, Arlington, master of divinity; and Brad Elliot Winter, Bruceton, master of divinity.
CHURCHES
First Baptist Church, Donelson, will hold revival services Jan. 27-30 with guest evangelist Phil Glisson of Memphis.
DEATHS
Retired pastor Jerry Summers died Nov. 30 at the age of 73 in Bradford. Summers spent more than 45 years as a pastor, serving Union Grove Baptist Church, McKenzie, Gearins Chapel Baptist Church, Greenfield; Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Bradford; and First Baptist Church, Sharon, where he was serving when he retired in 2016. Summers served on the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (now Tennessee Baptist Mission Board) and served as moderator for both Gibson County Baptist Association and Weakley County Baptist Association. Summers was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Summers, and a son. He is survived by two children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Riverside Baptist Association held its annual meeting in October. Elected as officers were, from left, David Harris, Three Forks Baptist Church, Allred, vice moderator; Gary Mullins, First Baptist Jamestown, association’s music minister; Chrisie Ward, First Baptist Church, Livingston, ministry assistant; Chris Ward, FBC, Livingston, director of missions; Beverly Smith, Allons Baptist Church, Allons, pianist; and Joe Piles, FBC, Jamestown, budget and finance chairman. Not pictured is moderator Earl Sweat, FBC, Jamestown.
