In Shining Glory
Boiling Springs Baptist Church tops new addition with 25-foot cross
BAXTER — After months of construction and anticipation, Boiling Springs Baptist Church topped the steeple tower of its new building addition with a 25-foot cross on Feb. 15.
Construction began in June 2018 on a two-story building addition that will serve multiple purposes. The new addition will host two new entry points into the church, a large welcome and information center, handicap accessible restrooms, classrooms, offices and flexible space to better serve visitors and the community.
Due to an extremely wet fall and winter, the construction has been slow moving, but for the members of the congregation seeing the cross hoisted and set into place is reassurance that God is the ultimate provider. “We hope to magnify the cross in our community,” said Charles Allen, who was called as senior pastor of the church last year. “We hope that this steeple and this cross serves as a constant reminder to our members and our community that our purpose is to lead people to Christ and serve as His hands and feet.”
Boiling Springs Baptist Church was established in 1851, and is celebrating 168 years of ministry in 2019.
DEATHS
Virgil Presley, 81, of Trezevant and a retired Tennessee Baptist minister, died Feb. 11 in Jackson. A graduate of Union University in Jackson, Presley served only five churches in his 50-year ministry. They included Durhamville Baptist Church, Enon Baptist Church, and Curve Baptist Church, all in Lauderdale County, Mount Olive Baptist Church, Union City, and Second Baptist Church, Dyersburg. He retired from Curve Baptist where he served for 20 years. Presley also was a volunteer chaplain at Baptist Lauderdale Hospital from 1992-2006. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Martha Brown Presley.
LEADERS
Andrew Bosak has been called as pastor of First Baptist Church, Savannah, effective Feb. 24. He previously served as associate pastor of students and evangelism at Midland Baptist Church, Gulf Breeze, Fla. He holds degrees from the University of West Florida and New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in biblical studies with an emphasis in preaching at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children.
McLemoresville Baptist Church, McLemoresville, ordained Lex Suite and Ken Weatherford as deacons on Feb. 3
West Side Baptist Church, Trenton, has called Stephen Powell as pastor.
Andy King, interim pastor of Fruitland Baptist Church, Humboldt, recently was named “Mission Volunteer of the Year” in Gibson Baptist Association. He was presented with the Mission Globe Award.
The Church at Sugar Creek in Humboldt recently ordained five deacons: Casey Yates, James Clary, Jason Tubbs, Danny Gilles and Dan DeHaan.
Trent Bullock recently celebrated his 10th anniversary as pastor of First Baptist Church, Paris.
Benny Ray Fields has been called as pastor of Dodson Branch Baptist Church, Cookeville.
First Baptist Church, Adamsville, recently ordained Paul Phillips and Torrey Templeton as deacons.
CHURCHES
Hobson Pike Baptist Church, Hermitage, will celebrate homecoming on March 31. The church will celebrate burning the mortgage on its education wing. Food and refreshments will be provided after the morning worship service. Anyone who has been involved with the ministry of Hobson Pike over the past 33 years is invited to attend.
Eastland Baptist Church, Nashville, began the transition to Hope Church on March 3.
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Rossville, will hold revival services March 17-20 with guest evangelist Ben Martin of First Baptist Church, Michie. Services begin at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday and 7 p.m., Monday-Wednesday.
Meridian Baptist Church, Knoxville, will hold a spring weekend revival March 29-31 with guest evangelist Roc Collins of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
EVENTS
The annual Youth Evangelism Conference, sponsored by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, will be held March 15-16 at the Municipal Audiorium in Nashville. Doors for the YEC open at 5:30 p.m. on Friday with the session at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday doors open at 8 a.m. with the event at 10 a.m. Speakers are Wade Morris (Friday) and Jordan Easley (Saturday). Guest musical artists for both days are Bryan Drake and Rush of Fools. For more information, visit www.yectn.org.