EDUCATION Carson-Newman University’s nursing and education online programs both rank No. 2 in Tennessee in their respective categories, according to U.S. News & World Report rankings released Jan. 24. For its 2023 Best Online Programs, U.S. News assessed schools based on a variety of objective factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials and services and technologies. Carson-Newman’s online nursing program ranked No. 98 nationally, while its online education program ranked

LEADERS Preston Garner, worship pastor at  Everettt Hills Baptist Church, Maryville, resigned recently to join the staff of First Baptist Church, Concord, effective Jan. 9. Southside Baptist Church, Winchester, recently ordained David Jolley as a deacon. Williams Chapel Baptist Church, Springfield, called Chris Mays as pastor on Jan. 8. He began serving Jan. 23. He also serves as men’s director for Harvest Baptist Association.

LEADERS Charlie Harkleroad, pastor of Leadvale Baptist Church, White Pine, retired Dec. 31 after 22 years of ministry with the congregation. He will be available for pulpit supply. Harkleroad can be reached at 865-388-0765. EDUCATION Union University trustees in their December meeting approved a strategic plan that will guide the university’s operational goals and planning over the next five years. The strategic plan is entitled “Protinus,” which is a Latin

LEADERS Members of Brainerd Baptist Church, Chattanooga, voted Dec. 4 to call Curtis Hill as senior pastor. Hill visited Brainerd Baptist more than 23 years ago while a first-year seminary student at Tennessee Temple in Chattanooga. Tom Meade, chairman of the pastor search committee, noted: “Today, we welcome that same man to this sanctuary to become the next senior pastor.” For the past 15 years, Hill served as senior pastor

DEATHS Albert Wardin, a prolific historian who helped make the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives (SBHLA) a global hotspot for Baptist researchers, died Nov. 14. He was 94. A research room in the SBHLA is named after Wardin. A history professor at Belmont University in Nashville for more than a quarter century, Wardin authored more than 10 books along with dozens of scholarly articles and pamphlets. Baptists Around the

LEADERS Justin Terrell, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Dandridge, since 2015, will write the Explore the Bible series for the Baptist and Reflector for the Dec.-Feb. quarter. A native of Smithville, Terrell previously served as a pastor in Georgia. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned his doctor of ministry in expository preaching. Terrell and

CHURCHES Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood, will host its third annual Brentwood Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 5-7:30 p.m. The family-friendly experience will be comprised of three walkable elements: Christmas Towne, Journey Through Bethlehem and The Christmas Food Project. The event is open for all to attend. For information, visit www.brentwood.church/christmas. Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek, will hold its annual “Life of Christ Drive-Thru” Dec. 3-4 from 6-8 p.m.

LEADERS Cody Pendergrass has been called as family pastor to Shiloh Baptist Church, effective Sept. 25. He has been married to Sarah Beth for 13 years and they have two daughters. Pendergrass has been in youth ministry for 17 years. He is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Winston-Salem, N.C. Clayton Dunsmore has been called as interim pastor at Union McMinn Baptist Church ,Niota, effective Oct. 2. Dunsmore served

LEADERS Lloyd Stilley recently began serving as associational missions strategist for Bledsoe Baptist Association, based in Gallatin. Stilley has served as pastor of four churches in 35 years in Alabama and Louisiana. He holds a master’s of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theolgical Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, and a doctor of ministry degree from New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary. Stilley and his wife, Leeanne, have two sons and two

LEADERS Bethel Baptist Church, Greenfield, recently called Mark Warren as senior pastor. Tennessee native and former International Mission Board missionary Carol Ghattis has recently released a new book entitled, Not in Kansas Anymore: Finding Home in Cross-Cultural Service. Ghattis and her late husband, Raouf, founded the Arabic Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, after returning from the mission field in 2009. Though now a member of Third Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, Ghattis still