TENNESCENE NOV. 8-21

LEADERS

Stan Wafler has been elected as the associational missionary (director of missions) for Beech River Baptist Church, based in Lexington. He and his wife Pam served for 15 years as career missionaries with the International Mission Board. Wafler has served in youth leadership roles in churches in Tennessee and as a pastor in Mississippi. He is a graduate of Union University, Jackson, and New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned three degrees, including a Ph.D. The Waflers have three children. They have been living in the Memphis area and are members of Ellendale Baptist Church, Bartlett.

Palmersville Baptist Church, Palmersville, called Brian Gallimore as pastor on Oct. 1.

Brent Seals was honored as pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church, Elizabethton, during the church’s 175th anniversary celebration on Oct. 8.

Donald Doster is serving as interim pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church #1, Martin.

Mike Exline recently began serving as pastor of Brittsville Baptist Church, Georgetown.

Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, Cleveland, recently called Mike Wallin as pastor.

Kevin Buynak was called Oct. 22 as student pastor by First Baptist Church, Gallatin, effective Oct. 31. He and his wife Denae formerly worked for Campus Crusade for Christ in North Carolina. He is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C.

First Baptist Church, Manchester, recently ordained three new deacons: Jeremy Anderson, Brandon Bailey, and James Cartwright.

Kirk Baptist Church, Collierville, recently called Chris Shearin as associate pastor.

ASSOCIATIONS

Gibson Baptist Association, based in Trenton, is sponsoring two missions trips in November. One team will serve in Romania Nov. 10-18 while the other team will serve in Brazil Nov. 27-Dec. 5.

Beech River Baptist Association, based in Lexington, held its annual meeting Oct. 16-17. First Baptist Church, Lexington, and Bear Creek Baptist Church, Parsons, served as hosts. Elected as officers were Stan Wafler, associational missionary; Jimmy Burroughs, transition assistant; Mitch Renfroe, moderator; Marty Comer, vice moderator; Amanda Taylor, clerk; and Victoria Alexander, treasurer.

Fayette Baptist Association, Somerville, recently held its annual meeting. Stan Smith, pastor, First Baptist Church, Somerville, was elected moderator while Rudy Doyle was elected vice moderator.

New Salem Baptist Association, based in Carthage, held its annual meeting Oct. 22 at Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek. Luke Stinnett of New Middleton Baptist Church, Gordonsville, was elected moderator while Josh Mofield, youth minister at Rome Baptist Church, Lebanon, was elected vice moderator.

CHURCHES

Connect Baptist Church, Milan, was constituted as a church on Sept. 17 with 11 charter members. Randy Pate, pastor of First Baptist Church, Milan, the sponsoring church, brought the message. The church will be a member of Gibson Baptist Association.

First Baptist Church, Jamestown, will host Judgement House: “59 Minutes” on Nov. 11 from 2-8 p.m. and Nov. 12 from 2-8 p.m. Reservations are recommended but not required. Call the church office at 931-879-8412.

Zion Baptist Church, Waynesboro, burned the note on its fellowship hall/gym on Sept. 3.

Iglesia Bautista Rios de Agua Viva, Springfield, recently was voted as a member of Robertson County Baptist Association. Magno Roblero serves as pastor of the Hispanic congregation.

DEATHS

Bob Copeland, pastor of Palmersville Baptist Church, Palmersville, died Aug. 11 after a short bout with cancer. He was 82.

Janis Strickler died Sept. 25. She was the wife of Carl Strickler who retired from the pastorate of Lynn Garden Baptist Church, Kingsport, after 29 years in 1999.

Salem Baptist Association held its 195th annual session at Lakewood Baptist Church, Beechgrove, on Oct. 17. Officers elected for the coming year are, from left, Don Hawkins, trustee; Larry Thomas, vice moderator; Jeff Cripps, assistant treasurer; Dusty Desimone, moderator; Paul Fries, director of missions; David Faulkner, clerk; Eddie Anderson, trustee; and Ken Griffith, treasurer — Photo by Donna Nichols
Damon Brawley, right, pastor of Ridge Grove Baptist Church, Lexington, receives a plaque recently in recognition of the church’s 175 years of ministry. Jimmy Burroughs, interim director of missions, Beech River Baptist Association, based in Lexington, made the presentation.
Charles Pratt, left, director of missions for Fayette Baptist Association, based in Somerville, presents a plaque to outgoing moderator Dennis Golden of Grace Baptist Mission, Braden, for his two years of service.
Blake Taylor, right, was ordained as a deacon Oct. 1 at First Baptist Church, Alexandria. Speaking at the service was Henry Webb, author of the classic deacon manual, “Deacons: Servant Models In The Church.”
The 94th meeting of Gibson Baptist Association was held Oct. 23 at First Baptist Church, Milan. Elected as officers, from left, were Billy Criswell, pastor, Bethel Baptist in Yorkville, assistant moderator; Leann Cherry, First Baptist Church, Trenton, clerk; David Powell, member, Spring Hill Baptist Church, moderator; Roger Stacy, director of missions; Jim Acree, First Baptist Church, Dyer, treasurer; and Keith Donaldson, associate pastor of Salem Baptist Church, assistant treasurer.
Robertson County Baptist Association, based in Springfield, recently sent a team to Victoria, Texas, to help people who were affected by flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. The team helped 17 families and gave funds to a church in need. From left are Al and Denise Johnston, Lynn Davis, Leroy Sterry, David Love, Kevin Martin, and George Hardy.