Recent church staff changes, anniversaries, ordinations and deaths within the moderate and progressive Baptist network.
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly.
STAFF CHANGES
Eric Durden, to Oak Hall Baptist Church, Sandston, Va., as pastor.
James Ervin, to First Baptist Church, Midland, Texas, as minister to senior adults, effective Oct. 1.
Emily Holladay, to Village Baptist Church, Bowie, Md., as pastor. She comes from Broadway Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky., where she served as associate pastor for children and families.
Regina Johnson, to First Baptist Church, Weaverville, N.C., as director of church and community ministries.
Justin Langford, to University Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, La., as minister of spiritual formation and worship.
Tom McCann, to Melrose Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va., as intentional interim senior pastor.
Matt Newton, concluding his tenure as associate pastor/music and administration at First Baptist Church, Jasper, Ga.
Whitney Edwards Russell, to Vinton (Va.) Baptist Church, as associate pastor of outreach and discipleship.
Anna Kate Stephenson, to First Baptist Church, Orangeburg, S.C., as associate pastor for children and families.
Zeke Stephenson, to First Baptist Church, Orangeburg, S.C., as associate pastor for students and families.
Jim White, to Piney River Baptist Church, Roseland, Va., as interim pastor.
RETIREMENTS
John Hevelone, retiring after 17 years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Arlington, Mass.
Bill Miller, retiring after more than 33 years as minister of music at Second Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.
Dennis Nofsinger, retiring after 19 years as organist at Huguenot Road Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.
Bill Rosser, retiring as minister to seniors and business administrator at First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, Tenn.
Rhonda Smith, retiring after 22 years as minister of pastoral community at First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, Fla.
ORDINATION
Patrick Hunter, ordained to ministry on Sept. 29 by First Baptist Church, Salisbury, N.C.
DEATH
Herman Charles Absher, 82, died Sept. 15 in Kannapolis, N.C. He was pastor of Franklin Baptist Mission, Salisbury, N.C., Lambert Memorial Baptist Church, Roxboro, N.C.; Jennies Branch Baptist Church, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.; Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, Keeling, Va. He was pastor to senior adults at Jackson Park Baptist Church in Kannapolis from 2008-2018. He served on the general board of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Joy; daughter, Sally A. Hawkins; son, Charles; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
KUDOS
ANNIVERSARIES
Ruby Sprouse, 50 years as organist at First Baptist Church, York, Pa.
Angela Zimmerman, 5 years as minister of music and associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Danville, Va.
CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES
Central Baptist Church of Bearden, Knoxville, Tenn.; 125 years; Sept. 29.
Cradock Baptist Church, Portsmouth, Va.; 100 years; Oct. 6.
Elm Grove Baptist Church, Paola, Kansas; 140 years; Sept. 29.
First Baptist Church, Altavista, Va.; 110 years; Sept. 14.
First Baptist Church, Trumansburg, N.Y.; 200 years; Sept. 22.
Mountain Brook Baptist Church, Birmingham, Ala.; 75 years; Sept. 22.
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In case you missed them:
Transitions for the week of 9-20-19
Transitions for the week of 9-13-19
Transitions for the week of 9-6-19
Transitions for the week of 8-30-19