TENNESCENE: JULY 30

EDUCATION

Union University named Fred Johnson as dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. Johnson comes to Union from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, where he had served as an English professor since 2008. He previously served as an instructor and graduate assistant at Ball State University and as an instructor at Ivy Tech State College. During his time at Whitworth, Johnson served as faculty president, chairman of the Department of English, chairman of the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Committee and as a member of the University Council, among other leadership roles. He created a new minor in film and visual narrative at Whitworth and played key roles in major departmental and university-wide curriculum revisions. He and his wife Molly, a veteran teacher who will be working for the South Gibson school system, have two teenage sons, Liam and Colin.

EVENTS

Short Creek Baptist Church, located at 9653 Short Creek Road in Christiana, will host their Annual Homecoming on Sunday, Aug. 10. The church will have a morning of fellowship, singing, worship, and great food. Singing will begin at 10:30 a.m. with worship services at 11:30 a.m. Rick’s BBQ will be catering the meal after the service and local Christian band Catchfire will provide live music.

LAKE BAPTISM

[one_half]

First Baptist Church of Lenoir City hosted their inaugural lake baptism of 2025 at the scenic Tellico Beach on Tellico Lake on June 29. The public setting added profound significance to what church leaders called “a true public profession of faith.” The ceremony saw 14 individuals — ranging from one child and one teenager to 12 adults, including three married couples — wade into the lake waters for baptism.

[/one_half][one_half_last]

Five church leaders, including four staff members and one layman, conducted the baptisms as families and friends gathered along the shoreline. The lakeside tradition continues to grow, with the church typically scheduling three summer baptisms. A second ceremony followed on July 27, with six additional candidates scheduled for baptism. Pictured are Shawn and Bonnie Maples with pastor John Hunn.

[/one_half_last]

Popular Posts

SERVING GOD — AND THE COMMUNITY
TENNESCENE AUG. 23-29
N.C. MISSION VOLUNTEER DIES IN PUERTO RICO
NOT HALF THE MAN HE USED TO BE
RADIO B&R EP. 49: IGNITE TENNESSEE

Recent Posts