LEADERS
Joe Wright
Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Savannah, has called Jonathan Barnard as pastor to students and children. He had been living in Gulfport, Miss., while attending New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Stefanie, have three children.
Joe Wright, director of missions for Dyer Baptist Association, based in Dyersburg, for the past 18 years, has resigned to become executive director of the Bivocational Small Church Leadership Network. He was honored by the association for his service during a farewell reception held April 14 at the BCM center on the campus of Dyersburg State Community College.
Calvary Baptist Church, Brownsville, recently called Barry W. Presley as pastor.
Leo Martinez was ordained into the gospel ministry March 18 at Calvary Baptist Church, Morristown.
First Baptist Church, Troy, has called Rick Roberts as pastor.
Alamo Baptist Church, Rives, has called Jeff Crabtree as pastor.
John Norvell has retired after serving as worship leader and associate pastor of First Baptist Church, Bemis, for 30 years. He is available for revivals, senior adult events, concerts, or supply work. He can be reached at 731-571-8089.
DEATHS
John Kurtz
John Kurtz, founding pastor and pastor emeritus of Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory, died April 20. He was 96. A native of Kentucky, Kurtz served as pastor of churches in Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. In 1954, Kurtz was elected the first president of the Baptist State Convention of Ohio. After 50 years in pastoral ministry Kurtz formed Pioneer Missions, Inc. and served in evangelism for many years with the “Professor,” a handcrafted wooden puppet, to speak in church services, banquets, and Vacation Bible School. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Martha. Kurtz is survived by two sons, five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
EDUCATION
Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, will host Gov. Bill Haslam and Ruth Prescott, National Park Foundation chief of staff, for its Spring Commencement services on Friday, May 4. More than 500 students will graduate from C-N this spring. The undergraduate commencement ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. at Burke-Tarr Stadium while the graduate ceremony will occur at 7 p.m. in Holt Field House. Prescott is a member of the C-N board of trustees. Haslam will address the undergraduates while Prescott will speak to the graduate students.
CHURCHES
Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek, will sponsor an All Day Gospel Singing Saturday, May 19, at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information, call 615-683-9606.
Roaring Fork Baptist Church, Gatlinburg, will hold a dedication service on May 6 at 3 p.m. for its new facilities. The church’s buildings were destroyed in the fires that struck Gatlinburg and Sevier County in November of 2016.
Restoration Fellowship, Morristown, a North American Mission Board church plant, began holding services in March in the lobby area of First Love on Main. The new congregation, led by pastor Kelly Reed, seeks to assist modern churches and lovers of Scripture to be connected to the biblical/Hebraic foundation of the Messiah while also locating Jewish people moving into the area. The church is being assisted by First Baptist Church, Morristown.
The “Uniquely You” Tennessee Baptist Ministers Wives Retreat was held March 2-3 in Pigeon Forge. During the retreat, the women surprised Lana Rose who retired from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff at the end of April. Approximately 65 women attended. Speakers included Jeanne Davis, Linnie Brown, Donna Rowland, and Csilla Muscan. Music was provided by Csilla and David Muscan. Steve Holt of the TBMB presented Rose with roses and later a Pandora Bracelet and charms. Funds for the gift came from ministers’ wives across the state.
