TENNESCENE: MAR. 2

LEADERS

Chuck Williams, interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Milan, will write the Bible Studies for Life lessons for March-May. He formerly served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Covington.

Matt Dixon has been called as pastor of Beech Grove Baptist Church in Louisville. He formerly served as youth minister of Dotson Memorial Baptist Church, Maryville.

Liberty Grove Baptist Church, Loretto, has called Brock Kilburn as pastor.

Eric Drake began serving Feb. 6 as pastor of Eastland Heights Baptist Church, Springfield. He and his wife, Kerry, have five children.

Craig Carlson has resigned as pastor of Wildwood Baptist Church, Maryville.

Bill Dixon recently retired as pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church, Maryville.

Fred Tate recently retired as pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, Maryville.

Palmer Williams, a member of Redemption City Church in Franklin, has been appointed by the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention to the convention’s Committee on Order of Business to fill the remaining portion of a three-year term ending in 2024.

Tom Boyd, a member of West Hills Baptist Church in Lebanon, who is employed by Decker Wealth Management, has been approved by the SBC Executive Committee to serve as a trustee of the Southern Baptist Foundation with his term expiring in 2025.

Larry Mulberry

DEATHS

Longtime Baptist minister Larry Mulberry died Nov. 13 at the age of 73. His 50-year ministry included sharing the gospel with countless people and leading people to Jesus by serving churches in Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. He also served for 15 years as a volunteer chaplain at a local hospital in Clarksville. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Gayle Baldwin Mulberry, three children and five grandchildren.

CHURCHES

Lebanon Baptist Church, Talbott, will hold a spring revival March 6-9 at 7 p.m. with evangelist Steve Hale.

Tennessee State Representative Rusty Grills recently helped Dyer Baptist Association’s disaster relief ministry. Grills, a member of Lenox Baptist Church, Dyersburg, was able to source quite a sizeable amount of equipment and supplies from the Home Depot Corporation for the association’s DR ministry. Pictured with some of the supplies and equipment are Grills and his daughter, along with Larry Koonce and Barry Hart of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Halls, who are involved in disaster relief. Koonce coordinates DR for the association along with Nathe Ozment, pastor of Mount Vernon, who was not present for the photo. “The churches of Dyer Baptist Association are very grateful for a state representative who helps the people of his district and the Home Depot Corporation for their generosity which supports ministries such as this one,” said Dennis R. Jones, director of missions.
Former Southern Baptist Convention president Steve Gaines speaks to Carson-Newman University students during a Feb. 15 chapel service. Gaines, who serves as senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, shared about the power of prayer during the morning service.
University of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is interviewed by Dean Haun, pastor of First Baptist Church, Morristown. Hooker recently paid a visit to First Baptist and participated in the church’s two worship services and a gathering of children and youth during Sunday School. The UT star shared how he grew up in a home where his parents “instilled Christ in me at an early age. I tried to be a servant of the Lord and people as well,” he said. He stressed the importance of the family unit in emphasizing the Lord. “My family is a great support system, as well as keeping me motivated and on the right path,” he added.
East Tennessee Baptist Association made a donation to Options Pregnancy Center in honor of former director of missions Horace Brown. He was a board member and avid supporter in what Options does for the community. The picture and a plaque will hang in the ETBA office in Brown’s memory. Pictured, from left, are Sheilah Strobel, Aubrey Brown, Leandra Brown, Candy Elmore (Options volunteer and ETBA treasurer), Laura Robertson, Wendy Ramsey (Options director), Reverend Mike Hensley (ETBA director of missions), Nick Brown, Pat Brown, Austin Brown, Linda Brown Kiser, Kelli Gerber, Valeria Brown and Heather Brown.