Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly.
STAFF CHANGES
Jerry Benfield, to Buechel Park Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky., as interim pastor.
Janet Cleland, to First Baptist Church, Athens, Ga., as minister of children, families and outreach, effective June 13.
Hammond Coates, now serving as interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Springfield, Va., where he also serves as minister of discipleship.
Austin McIver “Mack” Dennis, to First Baptist Church, Asheville, N.C., as senior pastor, effective Aug. 7. Previously he was pastor of First Baptist Church, Mt. Gilead, N.C.
Doug Garvin, to First Baptist Church, Lavonia, Ga., as youth and worship arts pastor.
Dennis Henderson, to Bethany Baptist Church, Waterford, Mich., as senior pastor. Previously he was pastor of First Baptist Church, Muskegon, Mich.
Linda Jones, now serving as advocate to broaden diversity within the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and to deepen relationships with diverse partners and networks. She will continue to serve as missions coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina.
Bum Luk Lagwi, to Kachin Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, Mich., as pastor.
Bart McNiel, to Smoke Rise Baptist Church, Atlanta, as associate pastor, effective June 19. He comes from the pastorate of Azalea Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va.
Butch Pesch, resigning as pastor of Priddy (Texas) Baptist Church, after 28 years.
Claire E. Sterk, to Emory University, Atlanta, as president, effective Sept. 1. She is the University’s first woman president and currently serves as executive vice president for academic affairs.
Kyle Streun, concluding his tenure as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hereford, Texas.
Meredith Summers, to Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Abilene, Texas, as women’s and singles minister.
Jason Underwood, to Indian River Baptist Church, Chesapeake, Va., as associate pastor of education and students.
Jacob Waldrip, to First Baptist Church, Augusta, Ga., as ministerial resident.
RETIREMENT
Phil Thomas, retiring as minister of education and administration at River Oaks Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, effective June 19.
DEATH
Lynn Craft, 73, died May 31 in Dallas, Texas. He served for 37 years as president and chief executive officer of the Baptist Foundation of Texas—now HighGround Advisors. During his tenure, the Foundation’s assets under management grew from $123 million to $1.5 billion. He was among the longest-tenured Texas Baptist agency heads in history. He received numerous awards and accolades throughout his years as a Baptist leader and respected businessman. He is survived by his wife, Becky; children, Cara Marriott and Hunter Craft; and five grandchildren.
KUDOS
INSTALLATION
Brent Newberry, as pastor of First Baptist Church, Worchester, Mass., on April 15.
STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Larry Finger, 20 years as lead pastor of First Baptist Church, Lavonia, Ga.
Leslie Sessoms, 20 years as minister of youth at Godwin Heights Baptist Church, Lumberton, N.C.
Vicky McCullough, 20 years as director of children’s ministries at First Baptist Church, Aiken, S.C.
In case you missed them:
Transitions for the week of 06.03.16
Transitions for the week of 05.27.16