LEADERS
Jason Hartley has been called as pastor of Biltmore Baptist Church, Elizabethton. He had been serving as interim pastor.
Steve Evans has been called as pastor of Pilgrim New Covenant Baptist Church in Maryville.
Five retirees of Carson-Newman University are inaugural members of the Robert Reedy Bryan Society. The recognition took place during C-N’s May 6 spring undergraduate commencement featuring 303 graduates. Those honored were Vickie Butler, Mark Heinrich, Mary Phipps, Frank Pinkerton and Joe Bill Sloan. Named after the university’s second president, the society honors the dedicated and selfless service of retired faculty, staff and others whose service to the university is exceptional and meritorious. The society is named for Robert Reedy Bryan, who in 1849 joined four other men under an oak tree and discussed the need for a Baptist college in East Tennessee. His vision, along with that of the other four, forever etched them into Carson-Newman lore as “The Oak Tree Five.” Bryan served as primary professor of what began as Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary, as well as its second and sixth president. He provided extensive fundraising and bold leadership to the school devastated by the Civil War.
Notchey Creek Baptist Church, Madisonville, has called Shane Johnston as pastor.
Gregory’s Chapel Baptist Church, Sweetwater recalled called T.J. Wattenbarger as pastor.
Brad Atkins recently was called as pastor of New Zion Baptist Church, Athens.
John Perkins
DEATHS
Longtime Tennessee Baptist John Russell Perkins of Carter County died April 14 at the age of 86. He served the following churches in Watauga Baptist Association, including Bethany Baptist, Happy Valley Baptist, Immanuel Baptist, Pinecrest Baptist and Powder Branch Baptist. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Gail Perkins, four children, 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.
Tyson Matoy of Greenback died April 5 at the age of 87. He served as pastor of Birchfield Baptist Church, Maryville, and was a member there until his death. He is survived by his wife, Wanda, three children, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Cocke County Mayor Crystal Ottinger, center,reads a proclamation honoring May 5 as the National Day of Prayer. The service was held at the Cocke County Courthouse in Newport. Beside the mayor is Mike Hensley, director of missions for East Tennessee Baptist Association. Also on the platform were other program participants, including local pastors Zane Stuart, Tom Mooty, Raile Childress; Alvin Watson, U.S. Air Force; Wade Williams, local principal; Wendy Ramsey, Options Pregnancy Care Center director; Jeremy Faison, local state representative, and singer Stephanie Williams.
