LEADERS
Spring Hill Baptist Church, Trenton, recently ordained Jeff Jarnigin and Mike Howell as deacons. John Adams preached the ordination message.
Carol B. Ghattas has recently written, When Doors Close: Changing Course in Missions Without Losing Your Way, published by Xulon Press. The book is written for those who are thinking about missions, already in the journey or reflecting on ministry from the other side of a closed door. Ghattis and her late husband, Raouf, founded the Arabic Baptist Church in Murfreesboro after returning from the mission field. She now attends Third Baptist Church in Murfreesboro.
Oak Grove Baptist Church, Athens, recently called Travis Torbett as pastor.
First Baptist Church, Somerville, has called Ethan Winfield as associate pastor of students/young adults.
Sonya Smith is the new preschool/children’s director at Orlinda Baptist Church, Orlinda.
The Robertson County Baptist Association Pastors’ Conference elected Patrick Nix as president and Brandon Pugh as vice president for the upcoming year which begins in September. Brad Shockley is outgoing president.
DEATHS
Carl Creasman
Carl Edward Creasman died May 17 at the age of 83. A native of Riceville, Creasman served for 58 years in bivocational ministry. A longtime educator, Creasman served as senior pastor at Rocky Mount Baptist Church, Athens, and associate pastor at North Etowah Baptist Church, Etowah. In addition, he served in various staff positions at numerous churches in Tennessee, Alabama and Florida. Later in his ministry, Creasman became a licensed parliamentarian and served in that role for many churches and organizations, including the Tennessee Baptist Conventon. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Roberta, two children, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. The family will hold a memorial service June 5 at First Baptist Church, Athens.
Rodger Eakin
Retired Tennessee Baptist pastor Rodger Eakin died May 19 at the age of 74, following a brief illness with acute myeloid leukemia. For more than 50 years, he pastored churches in Tennessee, Texas and Kentucky. A graduate of Belmont University, Nashville, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, he also served as a hospital chaplain for VA hospitals in Middle Tennessee. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joan Culbertson Eakin, and two daughters. Two memorial services will be held June 26, the first at 10:30 a.m. at Proclamation Church, Nashville (formerly Glenwood Baptist Church, his last pastorate), and a commital service at Burt Baptist Church, Woodbury (his first pastorate).
A memorial service was held May 22 for Jerry Lee Renfroe, former disaster relief director for Beech River Baptist Association, who died last October after a brief battle with COVID-19. Renfroe was well known throughout the county and community, not only for his DR work, but for building wheelchair ramps for those in need or delivering food to the elderly. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Phyllis, two sons and three granddaughters.
Ricky Sample, worship leader for Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Savannah, was honored recently to recognize his 25th anniversary with the church. He has served the church longer than any other worship leader. With him is his wife, Pam, and grandchildren, from left, Audrey Anne Spiceland, Dex Sample, Raegan Sample and Porter Spiceland.
