TENNESCENE DEC. 20-JAN. 9
LEADERS
The African American Fellowship of the Tennessee Baptist Convention recently held a time of celebration at Mount Canaan Baptist Church in Chattanooga. During the celebration, three men who have contributed to the success of the Fellowship were honored: Willie McLaurin, the fellowship’s first president; Thomas Bester, the association’s second president; and Larry Jones, who has served as executive treasurer of the association since its inception.
First Baptist Church, Morristown, recently honored pastor Dean Haun and his wife, Pam, for 10 years of ministry at the church.
Jerry Pullum has been called as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Manchester. He has served as pastor of Bear Cove Baptist Church, Sparta, since 2003. He holds a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, and a doctorate of ministry degree from Southern Baptist School for Biblical Studies.
Matt Koehler is the new minister of youth and education at Highland Baptist Church, Tullahoma. He is a recent graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.
Calvary Baptist Church, Parsons, called Jesse McKee as pastor on Dec. 10.
Everett Morris recently resigned as pastor of Huron Baptist Church in Beech River Baptist Association.
Wartrace Baptist Church, Wartrace, recently ordained five deacons: Chad Shafer, Mark Bryant, Glen Pendelton, Josh Shelton, and Caleb Davis.

Baptist Memorial Health Care in Memphis recently launched the “Rev. Jimmy Terry Preaching Series: It’s All About Jesus” in memory of Jimmy Terry, former pastor of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Clarksville, and a former trustee for BMHC, who died in June. Terry was known for his campaign that Christmas and Easter “is all about Jesus.”
The series will bring a speaker to BMCH’s flagship hospital’s campus in Memphis each month to deliver a 30-minute gospel-based sermon that is broadcast to all 21 Baptist Memorial hospitals. Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, and president of the Southern Baptist Convention, was the first speaker in the series.
Chuck Workman has been called as student pastor at Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory. He previously served as student/family pastor at First Baptist, Hilton Head, S.C.
DEATHS
Mary Johnson, who served as volunteer pianist at Oral Baptist Church, Lenoir City, for nearly 70 years, died recently. Pastor Ranell Lane described her as “someone who loved music, faithfully answered God’s calling to service, and behaved in a way that honored Him.”
- The Carroll-Benton Baptist Association held its first Women’s Christmas Banquet on Dec. 1 at First Baptist Church, Huntingdon. The banquet was attended by 350 women. Leading the worship were Jacob and Kelli Harris. (cont'd)
- (cont'd) Sarahn DeLoach, who grew up in war-torn Cambodia, and lived for two years in a refugee camp, before coming to Memphis in 1981, was the guest speaker. She shared how she learned that “in all things God works together for our good” (Romans 8:28).
- New part-time staff members of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board include, from left, Thomas Bester, new church catalyst/African-American; David Kaufmann, new church catalyst/Anglo; Gustavo Baez-Duran, new church catalyst/ethnic; Fady Al-Hagal, new church catalyst/ethnic; Daniel Tuchez, new church catalyst/ethnic; and Charles Grant, new church catalyst/African-American.
- Prosperity Baptist Church, Auburntown, was established in 1835 while nearby Prosperity Missionary Baptist Church, an African-American congregation, was established in 1938. The two churches held a joint Thanksgiving service (a tradition since 2009) at Prosperity Baptist. Visiting pastor Michael Alley Sr., brought the morning message. Among those in attendance, from left, were Dave Buterbaugh, Tim Reed, Allan Hayes, David Moody (pastor, Prosperity Baptist), Daniel Buterbaugh, Michael Alley Sr. (pastor, Prosperity Missionary Baptist), Paul Fries, director of missions, Salem Baptist Association, and Willie Fullilove. — Photo by Donna Nichols
- LEFT: Johnny Criswell was recently honored by Midway Baptist Church, Dyer, for 25 years of ministry at the church and 50 years in the ministry. The service included a proclamation from the State of Tennessee honoring his years of ministry, a plaque from the church, and a concert.
- Filed Under: News
- Tagged With: TenneScene