TENNESCENE: SEP. 12-25

CHURCHES

Smyrna Baptist Church, Humboldt, will observe homecoming on Sept. 16 with guest speaker Charles Pratt. The church is celebrating its 43rd anniversary in 2018.

The women’s ministry of Oaklawn Baptist Church, Winchester, will present its 10th annual Women’s Conference on Oct. 20 with award-winning speaker and best selling author Liz Curtis Higgs. She has authored 37 books, with 4.6 million copies in print. The program also includes Christian humorist Thelma Lou. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. For more information and a registration form, visit oaklawnbaptistchurch.org.

Cherokee Baptist Church, Johnson City, observed its 235th anniversary on Sept. 9 with guest speaker Mark Sirois.

New Harmony Baptist Church, Paris, will hold revival services Sept. 30-Oct. 3 with guest evangelist Scott Davis of Alabama. For information on service times, contact the church at 731-593-5276.

Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek, will hold revival services Sept. 23-26. Jonathan Richerson will preach and Gary Miller will lead worship.

ASSOCIATIONS

Gibson Baptist Association, based in Trenton, will sponsor a mission trip to Rio de Janeiro from Nov. 26-Dec. 4. The association will work with pastor Douglas Xavier in evangelism and discipleship.

EVENTS

Enough Grace Ministries, based in Paris, will host a Rest for the Soul Ladies’ Retreat Oct. 26-27 at the Henry County Fairgrounds in Paris. The keynote speaker will be author Sheila Walsh who has sold more than five million books, including In the Middle of the Mess: Strength for the Beautiful Broken Life. Also featured on the program is Enough Grace Ministries founder Candise Farmer and Betsy Craig Caswell, leading in worship. Breakout sessions will be offered. For more information visit www.rest4thesoul.com.

LEADERS

Mark Duggin, principal of Rossville Christian Academy, has been called as interim pastor of Morris Memorial Baptist Church, Moscow.

Hobbie McCreary

Grace Baptist Church, Johnson City, has called Hobbie McCreary as pastor. A native of Chattanooga, McCreary holds a master of theology degree from Andersonville Baptist Theological Seminary, Camilla, Ga., and a bachelor of business administration degree from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City. McCreary has served as pastor of two Kingsport churches and in other areas of ministry in Jonesborough and Fall Branch. He and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters and two granddaughters.

Valley Road Baptist Church, Athens, recently called J.W. Smith as pastor.

Randy Pool has been called as interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Rutherford.

Pond Hill Baptist Church, Niota, called Travis Roberts as pastor, effective July 29. He was ordained on Sept. 9 at Union Hill Baptist Church, Athens.

John R. Gaters will begin serving Sept. 16 as associate pastor of worship and outreach at First Baptist Church, Bemis.

East LaFollette Baptist Church, LaFollette, recently called Zachary Lloyd as pastor.

Chris Alexander has resigned as pastor of White Hall Baptist Church, Trenton, to accept a position in Georgia.

Parkway Baptist Church, Goodlettsville, recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of Bobby Webb as minister of education.

Preston Kane has been called as the new youth minister of First Baptist Church, Soddy-Daisy.

Charles Pratt recently celebrated his 10th anniversary as director of missions for Fayette Baptist Association, based in Somerville.

Woodlawn Baptist Church, Bristol, has called Joseph M. Blankenship as pastor.

Chase Royston is the new minister of children at First Baptist Church, Blountville.

Gary Addington has been called as pastor of King Springs Baptist Church, Johnson City.

The King’s Academy (Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy) held a retirement celebration for outgoing president and headmaster Walter Grubb on Aug. 30. Joining Grubb and his wife Nancy were, Carter Davis, left, chairman of the TKA trustees, and Randy C. Davis, executive director-treasurer of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
First Baptist Church, Somerville, held GA Recognition Sunday on Aug. 26. Eighteen young ladies were recognized by the church and pastor Stan Smith, left, for their accomplishments over the past year, including leaders Beverly Summers (next to Smith) and Tina Johnson. Summers has led GAs at First Baptist and other churches for 54 years. She is “passing the baton” to Johnson.
Mike Young, left, director of missions for Tennessee Valley Baptist Association, presents a plaque to Brian Kamer, interim pastor of Ogden Baptist Church, Dayton, commemorating the church’s 150th anniversary.
In 2006, New Prospect Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg had a vision of starting a Kingdom education school for Lawrence County under the leadership of Brad and Jill Lowery. The dream came to fruition on Aug. 13 when 14 K-3rd graders entered the doors of Christ Life Academy on the path to the first graduating class expected in 2027. In the photo above, the 14 students are shown with Laurie Wilson, principal; Jan Threadgill, music teacher; Brittney Jennings, administrative assistant; Tara Beth Odom, teacher; and Keshia Cozart, teacher. (cont'd)
(cont'd) Not pictured is Missy Story, art teacher. In the photo above, Brad and Jill Lowery stand with a sign celebrating the first day.
A 27-member missions team from Zion Baptist Church, Benton, served in Festus, Mo., alongside North American Mission Board church planters, Scott and Theresa Douglas of Impact Church Of Festus. The team conducted block parties in four different strategic locations around Festus, as well as reaching 1,700 homes with a personal invitation to Impact Church and the gospel. Mike Hazlewood is pastor of Zion Baptist.
Phil Mitchell, center, director of missions for Weakley County Baptist Association, presents a plaque to Pastor P.J. Scott, left, and Keithel Burke, chairman of the deacons, commemorating the 125th anniversary of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Greenfield.