TENNESCENE: WEEKS OF JUN. 26-JUL. 9

LEADERS

First Baptist Church, Lafayette, has called Tim Hickman as full-time senior pastor.

Former Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff member Robert “Bob’ Brown began serving June 16 as interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Seymour. Brown is the executive director of Lakeway Christian Schools.

Shawn Lowery

Shawn Lowery recently resigned as youth minister at First Baptist Church, Portland, to become pastor of Union Springs Baptist Church in Randolph, Ala. During Lowery’s ministry at First Baptist, he began the Upward Basketball program and later added football. He also led several mission trips for the youth and served as the football chaplain at Portland High School for several years. His wife, Marsheta, also was active in the ministry of the church.

Brandon Johns has been called as senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Soddy-Daisy. A native of Guntersville, Ala., Johns attended New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary and has served churches in Alabama and Georgia.

Chuck Workman

Shiloh Baptist Church, Nashville, constituted as a church earlier this year and called Chuck Workman as senior pastor. He formerly served as a youth minister/pastor in churches in South Carolina and Tennessee. He and his wife, Tara, have three children. The church also recently ordained Barry Fullington as a deacon.

First Baptist Church, Clinton, voted May 19 to call Danny Chisholm as senior pastor.

Sand Ridge Baptist Church, Clinton, recently ordained Eric Hampton and Jason McCarley as deacons.

EDUCATION

Alumni and current students of the Forensics team of Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, recently gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of C-N’s speech and debate team. Harry Brooks of Knoxville, a former state representative and chair of the C-N board of trustees, is a 1968 graduate and former member of the debate team. He was one of the featured speakers. Mark Borchert, chair and professor of C-N’s communication department, called the event “a significant milestone in the history of forensics at Carson-Newman.”

CHURCHES

First Baptist Church, Spring Hill, recently held Vacation Bible School. The church had an average of 75 children and 47 workers for a total of 122. Five professions of faith were recorded during VBS. The boys won the offering challenge for the week, raising $493.09 while the girls raised $448.19. The money will be used for the church’s Jamaica mission trip.

Big Hatchie Baptist Association held its annual Camp Hatchie June 3-7 with 54 campers at Rose of Sharon Campground in Burlison.
Don McCulley, shown preaching, recently celebrated his 30th anniversary of pastoral ministry at First Baptist Church, Dresden. Under his leadership and preaching, more than 300 have been baptized and just under 500 have joined the church by way of letter or statement at First Baptist Church. The church celebrated the day by way of personal remarks and videos, a slide show of memories, special music by various members and a catered meal. (cont'd)
(cont'd) McCulley (holding granddaughter Eliza and grandson Cohen) and his wife, Sherryl (holding granddaughter Eleanor) were joined by, from left, daughter-in-law Shelly, son Matthew, son-in-law Jared and daughter Becky. McCulley has been active in Baptist life both locally and in the Tennessee Baptist Convention as well as the Dresden community.
Etter Baptist Church, Byrdstown, recently recognized Ben Crabtree, left, for 42 years of perfect attendance. “He is truly an inspiration and encouragement to the church and the community,” said pastor Eric Thoman, right. “Ben’s faithfulness to the study of God’s Word is an example to each one of us,” he added.
Jeff Jones, left, and Royce DeGrie recently were honored for years of service with the Tennesee Baptist Mission Board. Jones, Baptist collegiate ministry specialist at the University of Memphis, has served for 15 years while DeGrie, senior graphic designer, has served for 10 years.
Allen Gillespie recently retired as song leader of Forest Park Baptist Church, McMinnville. He has been a member for 52 years. He spent most of those as the song leader and also has served as chairman of the deacons and taught Sunday School for many years.