TBC’S RICKMAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — Gary Rickman, director of strategic relationships for the Tennessee Baptist Convention, will retire Dec. 31 after 25 years as a member of the TBC staff.

Though born in Arkansas, Rickman considers Watertown his hometown. Prior to joining the convention’s staff in 1991, Rickman served as pastor of Ridgeview Baptist Church, Chattanooga.

He also has served as pastor of two other Tennessee Baptist congregations (Burt Baptist Church, Woodbury, and Powell’s Chapel Baptist Church, Murfreesboro) as well as a church in  Zebulon, N.C., while attending Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned both the master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees. He also is a graduate of Belmont University, Nashville.

Rickman will continue with the TBC staff on a part-time basis after his retirement. He will be involved with ministers-church relations and work related to GuideStone Financial Resources.

Rickman’s other duties will be assigned to existing TBC staff members.

TBC Executive Director Randy C. Davis announced Rickman’s retirement at the Executive Board’s Sept. 14 meeting.

“Gary is one of the most respected gentlemen across our state,” Davis said, praising Rickman for his wisdom and passion for his ministry.

Rickman and his wife, Joyce, have two children and two grandchildren.