LEADERS
Kevin Crossno was ordained June 30 at Beech Springs Baptist Church in Gleason. He has been called as pastor of Mack’s Grove Baptist Church in Dresden.
First Baptist Church, Middleton, called Matthew C. Jones as pastor. He began his ministry with the church on Sunday, June 2.
Springfield Baptist Church, Springfield, recently called James “Obee” O’Bryant as administrative minister of outreach and Curtis Honts as administrative minister of discipleship with a special emphasis on senior adults.
DEATHS
Paul Edgar Boles, pastor of Living Springs Baptist Church, Mount Juliet, died May 20 at the age of 72, just a few months short of celebrating 50 years of ministry. He served as a pastor in North and South Carolina and as executive director of missions in Charleston (S.C.) Baptist Association. He is survived by his wife, Miriam Boles; sons, Paul Boles (Jackie) and Jonathan Boles (Melanie); and two grandchildren.
William “Bill” Duncan, retired pastor and interim pastor of several Tennessee Baptist churches in East Tennessee, including his last interim pastorate at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Mountain City, died May 10. He was 78 years old and was in the ministry for 47 years. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Duncan; two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Patricia “Pat” Holland, wife of retired Tennessee Baptist pastor John Holland, died May 11. She was a member of Salem Baptist Church, Knoxville, from 1968 until 2024 and was involved in the children’s ministry for several years. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, two children, four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
CHURCHES
Ralston Baptist Church, Martin, is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The church held its first service in May of 1874. The church is planning an all-day celebration on Oct. 6.
Union University donated hundreds of dollars’ worth of household goods to the Dream Center in Jackson following the National Invitational Tournament of Champions the university hosted from May 27-June 1. The Dream Center is a local Christian organization that provides housing for women and their children who have experienced crisis and/or loss, while preparing them to successfully reenter the workforce. “We are on a tight budget, and donations such as these help us take care of the needs of the ladies and children,” said Gail Gustafson, executive director for the Dream Center.
Marble Plains Baptist Church, Winchester, held its 98th annual “Old Folks Day” on June 12 to honor the church’s oldest members. Members dressed in old-fashioned attire, dinner on the grounds was served and a special offering was received for the church’s Cemetery Trust Fund. The historic cemetery dates back to 1863 and is owned and maintained by the church. Pastor Roger Parks called the event “a joyful day” and noted that it is important to “make sure we continue the traditions that go back so far.” Pictured above are several children who dressed in the spirit of the occasion — from left, Faith Denton, Hannah Boswell, Madison Davis, Emma Ballard and Bailey Davis. Pictured in the first photo are Parks and his wife Carol.
— Photos by Joe Blanton
