JEFFERSON COUNTY BAPTISTS CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF MINISTRY
Baptist and Reflector
Jefferson County Baptist Association, based in Jefferson City, celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 20 during a special service held at Dumplin Baptist Church in New Market, the third oldest church in the eastern half of Tennessee with continuous existence at the same place, under the same name.
The association was formed in 1919 by churches from Knox County Association of Baptists and Nolachucky Baptist Association.
The special service featured historical information from John Pinkston, pastor of Buffalo Grove Baptist Church, Jefferson City and chairman of the arrangements committee for the celebration, and greetings from Phil Young, director of missions, Knox County Association, and David Hawkins, DOM of Nolachucky Association. Other speakers included Eilene Fralix, Glenora Hall and Steve and Sharon Cate.
- Phil Young, right, director of missions for Knox County Association of Baptists, presents a gift to Leroy Davis, DOM for Jefferson County Baptist Association. Churches from Knox County Association and Nolachucky Baptist Association, based in Morristown, left their respective associations to form the Jefferson County Baptist Association in 1919.
- Leroy Davis, left, director of missions for Jefferson County Baptist Association, and moderator Don Bowery, pastor of Beaver Creek Baptist Church, Strawberry Plains, helped celebrate the association’s 100th anniversary.
- A quartet, consisting of ministers from Jefferson County Baptist Association, sang during a celebration service commemorating the association’s 100th anniversary. From left are, Jerry DeZearn, retired DOM and member of First Baptist Church, Dandridge; James Tullock, pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Dandridge; Chris Headley, minister of music/worship, FBC, Dandridge; and Tom Sartain, pastor, East Ridge Baptist Church, Dandridge.