TBC MESSENGERS ELECT NEW OFFICERS

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector

HENDERSONVILLE — David Leavell, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Millington, was elected president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention on Nov. 14 during the opening session of the convention’s annual meeting.

Leavell, who served as vice president of the TBC in 2015, was unopposed for the presidency. The session was moderated by current TBC president Steve Freeman, who opened the floor for nominees and conducted the voting via raised ballots.

Leavell currently serves as a director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He was a member of the 2017 Committee on Resolutions for the Southern Baptist Convention, and is a trustee of New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary, where his late father, Landrum P. Leavell II, served as president from 1975-94.

Charles Fowler, of Germantown Baptist Church, nominated Leavell. Fowler announced his plans to nominate Leavell to the B&R earlier this year, and said Leavell is an “excellent preacher and evangelist.” Fowler added, “He has been involved in Baptist life in multiple ways that uniquely qualify him to serve in this role for this season.”

In addition to Leavell, two others were elected as convention officers on Tuesday — Todd Stinnett, vice president and Brian Carmichael, second vice president.

Stinnett, who is currently serving as second Vice President, is the senior pastor at Black Oak Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville, and Carmichael is the senior pastor at Holy Temple Baptist Church in Memphis.

Dean Haun, pastor of First Baptist Church, Morristown, nominated Stinnett, and Michael C. Ellis, Sr., pastor of Impact Church in Memphis, nominated Carmichael. Both were unopposed.