TENNESCENE OCT. 19-NOV. 1

DEATHS

Oran Creasman

D. Oran Creasman, 82, retired pastor of Riceville, died Oct. 8. He was pastor emeritus of Eastanallee Baptist Church, Riceville, which he served from 1965-2001 as music director and then as pastor. He then was interim pastor of several churches. Creasman was a member of the Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board. He also was an educator. From 1965-85 he was assistant principal and then principal of McMinn County High School. He served on a missions team in Hong Kong and was a leader of several community organizations. Creasman led prayer during a visit of President Ronald Reagan to Athens. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia; four children; brother Carl of Riceville, who has been a parliamentarian of the TBC; brother Herschel of Florida; sister Ozelle of Athens; seven grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Danny Earl Hale, 58, interim pastor, Fair Haven Baptist Church, Shelbyville, died suddenly Oct. 7 in Shelbyville. Hale also was pastor, Charity Baptist Church, Fayetteville.

Robert D. McCray, a retired pastor of Dandridge, died recently. He was pastor of First Baptist Church, Dandridge; Pond Grove Baptist Church, Rockwood; and churches in Cumberland County for a total of 47 years. He also was a member of the Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board and Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes board. McCray is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rebekah; a daughter; two grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

CHURCHES

First Baptist Church, Dresden, will hold its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 3-6 p.m. For more information, contact dresfbc@frontiernet.net or 731-364-2212.

Antioch Baptist Church, Humboldt, will celebrate its 185th anniversary during November. On Nov. 6 Randy C. Davis, executive director, Tennessee Baptist Convention, will speak during morning worship service. On Nov. 13, Bill Espy, pastor, will speak, after which a luncheon will be held. On Nov. 20 Samuel “Dub” Oliver, president, Union University, Jackson, will speak. For more information, contact 731-414-2120 or ann.joyner@star-center.org.

Miracle Baptist Church, LaVergne, served dinner to about 45 police officers and staff of the local police department on Sept. 21. The church wanted to show its appreciation to the men and women for protecting and serving the community, said Todd Kirkland, senior pastor.

First Baptist Church, Loretto, will hold its Judgement House, “Broken,” Oct. 22, 6-9 p.m., Oct. 23, 2-6 p.m., Oct. 29, 6-9 p.m., and Oct. 30, 2-6 p.m. For more information, call 931-853-7171.

Henry Baptist Church, Henry, will hold an Old Fashioned Street Revival on Saturday, Oct. 22, beginning at 4 p.m. For more information, contact John Sutton, pastor, at 731-571-5890.

LEADERS

Leon Edwards was called as pastor, First Baptist Church, Scottsboro, recently. He was interim pastor of the church for about eight months. He also was planter and pastor of Harvest Fields Baptist Church, Pegram, for about 10 years.

Roger Ellsworth, retired pastor and author of Jackson, has seen his book, The Twelve Days of Christmas: Morning and Evening Thoughts on Immanuel — God With Us, published. The book is available in three different covers and three different Bible versions. It is possible to customize the book with a church’s or ministry’s information and a message. For more information, contact www.twelvedaysofchristmas.net or 864-498-8957.

ASSOCIATIONS

Robertson County Baptist Association, based in Springfield, is participating in the One Nation Under God Prayer Rally for the community to be held on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. Participants will meet at the Robertson County Courthouse Square. For more information, contact the association at 615-384-8197 or jbierod@rcbatn.org.

Bledsoe Baptist Association, based in Gallatin, will hold a meeting, “How to Combat Human Trafficking,” Nov. 7, 10 a.m. – noon. David Rogers and Carly Myracle of Hope for Justice will speak. For more information, contact the office at 615-451-3241 or Bledsoe.baptist@comcast.net.

EVENTS

A Mid-South Small Church Celebration will be held Oct. 28-29 at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Cordova. The theme is “Effective Biblical Preaching.” Speakers include Ray Gilder, retired Tennessee Baptist Convention staff member and current pastor, First Baptist Church, Gordonsville; Bob Agee, former administrator of Union University, Jackson; Dale Denning, Ron Roy, Alvin Whitehead, Robert West, Tim Seal, Jere Phillips, and Melanie Redd. Tracks will be offered for Hispanic pastors and for ministers’ wives. Participants can attend for no charge. For more information, contact ashley@midsouthbaptist.com or 901-373-6161.

Eight new deacons of Miracle Baptist Church, LaVergne, pause during their ordination service on Sept. 18. From left are Mike Slinker, chair of the deacons, Chris Carson, Richard Manuppelli, Harold Shockey, Jim Amos, Manny Gonzales, Greg Penny, Adam Raymer, David Benton, and Todd Kirkland, senior pastor.
Ronnie and Irene Bales of First Baptist Church, Morristown, pause during the church’s Missions and Ministry Fair held Sept. 18 as part of Missions Sunday. Their exhibit was one of 53. The Bales ministered for two weeks on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. They supported Native American Indian Ministries. A World Crafts Christmas shop also was available. Speakers that day were Randy C. Davis, executive director, Tennessee Baptist Convention, who was a former pastor of the church, and Alina Massey, recipient of an Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift as a child in Romania.
Seth Keymon, right, was ordained as a deacon by Oakwood Baptist Church, Milan, on Oct. 2. He stands with James Rogers, left, pastor, and his wife Hannah. Roger Stacy, director of missions, Gibson Baptist Association, based in Trenton, gave the charge to the new deacon.
Tommy Griffin, left, of the Tennessee Baptist Convention staff, stands with Randy C. Davis, executive director, TBC, recently. Griffin was recognized by the staff on his 15th anniversary as software/database administrator.
Joel Chappell Jr., right, is congratulated by Lonnie Reeder, chair of deacons, Moodyville Missionary Baptist Church, Byrdstown, on his ordination to the ministry. Chappell is the new pastor of the church. The event was held on Sept. 25. — Photo by Sharon Pire
Lascassas Baptist Church, Lascassas, ordained two men as deacons on Sept. 18. From left are Al Bartolotto, new deacon; Kenneth Summey, pastor; and John McDearmon, new deacon.