Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly.
STAFF CHANGES
Chris Cherry, to First Baptist Church, Greensboro, N.C., as associate pastor of youth and families. He comes from Middletown Christian Church, Louisville, Ky., where he was minister of youth and young adults.
Tisha Dixon-Williams, to First Baptist Church, Bridgehampton, N.Y., as pastor.
Willa Rose Fortner, to Greenwood Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., as pastor. Previously she served at First Corinthian Baptist Church in New York City.
Andy Hale, to University Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, La., as senior pastor, effective in June. He comes from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship where he was CBF Church Starts director.
Rob Sauls, to Tabernacle Baptist Church, Carrollton, Ga., as associate pastor for discipleship.
RETIREMENTS
Lyle Dorsett, retiring as Billy Graham professor of evangelism at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.
Diane Eubanks Hill, retiring as minister with adults at Watts Street Baptist Church, Durham, N.C.
Steve Pressley, retiring after 25 years as associate pastor of First Baptist Church, Greensboro, N.C., effective June 28.
Beth Thompson, retiring after nearly 24 years as associate pastor of Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville, N.C.
ORDINATIONS
Charlyne Marie Boyette, ordained to ministry on April 15 by First Baptist Church, Asheville, N.C.
Paul Capps, ordained to ministry on April 15 by First Baptist Church, Beaufort, S.C.
Jessie Howeth, ordained to ministry on April 15 by First Baptist Church, Temple, Texas, where he serves as modern worship minister.
Sarah Mears, ordained to ministry on April 22 by Hayes Barton Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C., where she serves as minister of children and families.
Megan Smith, ordained to ministry on April 14 by First Baptist Church, Lexington, N.C., where she serves as associate minister.
Baptist News Global provides a free listing of ministry-related jobs for Baptist churches, theological institutions and organizations across the United States. Click here to learn more.
DEATHS
Kenneth R. Lyle Sr., 81, died April 10 in Abilene, Texas. He and his wife, Judy, served the SBC Home (now North American) Mission Board in New York. He was director of missions for the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association. He then became pastor of Atlanta Baptist Tabernacle in Atlanta. Later he served as executive director of the Maryland/Delaware Baptist Convention. He retired in 2000 as executive director of the New England Baptist Convention and later was consultant to the Mississippi Baptist Convention. In addition to his wife, he is survived by children, Christy Waddail, Sandy Hammack and Missy Lyle; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Samuel Berry McKinney, 91, died April 7 in Seattle, Wash. A civil rights leader, he was pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle for more than 40 years before retiring in 1998. He was the first black president of the Church Council of Greater Seattle and a founding member of the National Black Caucus of American Baptist Churches USA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louisa. He is survived by two daughters, Lora-Ellen McKinney and Rhoda McKinney-Jones.
James P. Rodgers Jr., 84, died April 16 in Anderson, S.C. He served as minister of music at First Baptist Church, Cedartown, Ga.; First Baptist Church, Panama City, Fla.; and First Baptist Church, Winter Park Fla.; before going to First Baptist Church, Anderson, S.C., where he served as minister of music from 1968 until he retired in 1996. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen. He is survived by a son, David; two daughters, Cherie Swaby and Celeste Griffith; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
In case you missed them:
Transitions for the week of 04.13.18
No Transitions for the week of 04.06.18