Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly.
STAFF CHANGES
Rhonda Blevins, to Chapel by the Sea, Clearwater Beach, Fl., as pastor. She comes from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Kentucky, where she was executive coordinator.
James Brenneman, to American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, Calif., as president, effective in August. Currently he is president of Goshen College in Indiana.
Zac Cannon, to Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, Earlysville, Va., as associate pastor of youth, effective in mid-July. He comes from First Baptist Church, Ojai, Calif., where he served as youth pastor.
Mera Cossey Corlette, to Okolona Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky., as pastor.
Carin Daniels, to Woodland Baptist Church, Wake Forest, N.C., as children’s minister.
Timothy Gilbert, serving as affiliate professor of philosophy of religion at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, effective July 1. He currently is vice president of academic affairs and dean.
Rebekah Gordon, to Trinity Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C., as student ministry associate.
Brenda Kay Hafer, concluding her tenure as minister of children and families at First Baptist Church, Southern Pines, N.C., to join the Peace Corps.
Tracy Hartman, serving as acting vice president of academic affairs and dean at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, effective June 1. She currently is Daniel O. Aleshire professor of homiletics and practical theology and director of the doctor of ministry and supervised ministry programs.
Rick Hernandez, to Enon Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va., as praise and worship minister.
Joe Loughlin, to First Baptist Church, Temple, Texas, effective June 4. He comes from the Baptist General Convention of Texas where he serves as director of The Pastor/Church Connection.
Rob Marsh, to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Troutville, Va., as pastor. He comes from the pastorate of Saluda (Va.) Baptist Church.
Darrell Naff, to Buchanan (Va.) Baptist Church, as pastor. He comes from the pastorate of Green Valley Baptist Church, Lebanon, Va.
Kevin T. Padworski, resigning as director of music and organist at Calvary Baptist Church, Denver, Colo.
Jesse Rodroguez, to First Baptist Church, Del Rio, Texas, as pastor.
John Sievering, to Benson Baptist Church, Omaha, Neb., as senior pastor.
Nate Varnier, to Oakland Baptist Church, Gum Spring, Va., as senior pastor, effective June 18. He comes from the pastorate of Eagle Lake Baptist Church, Vicksburg, Miss.
RETIREMENT
Tom Gaskins, retiring as pastor of North Run Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., where he has served since 1998.
ORDINATION
Patrick J. Baxter, ordained to ministry on April 23 by Parkway Baptist Church, Johns Creek, Ga. He serves as interim minister of youth at Parkway and will begin a chaplaincy residency with Children’s Health Care of Atlanta in August.
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
Samuel P. Jones Jr, 83, died April 19 in Bridgewater, Va. He had served as pastor of Poroporone Baptist Church, Shacklesfords, Va.; Riverdale Baptist Church, Hampton, Va.; Harrisonburg (Va.) Baptist Church; Warrenton (Va.) Baptist Church; and Stanley (Va.) Baptist Church. He also was senior adult chaplain at Harrisonburg (Va.) Baptist Church. He served two terms on the Virginia Baptist General Board [now Baptist General Association of Virginia]. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Jeffrey; and daughter, Susan Payne.
Richard “Dick” Wayne Senter, 81, died April 5 in San Antonio, Texas. He was pastor of First Baptist Church, Allen, Texas, for 27 years. His other pastorates include Clariette Baptist Church, Hico, Texas, and First Baptist Church, Mabank, Texas. He was interim pastor of several churches and served 12 years as associate pastor of pastoral care and senior adults at Churchill Baptist Church in San Antonio. He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughter, Susan Senter; son, Scott; and four grandchildren.
KUDOS
CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES
First Baptist Church, South Boston, Va.; 135 years; Apr. 30.
Garden Lakes Baptist Church, Rome, Ga., 60 years, May 7.
Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, Vestavia, Ala., 60 years, May 7.
STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
James E. Bennett, 20 years as minister of music and worship at First Baptist Church, Aiken, S.C.
Paul Lee, 15 years as senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Radford, Va.
In case you missed them:
Transitions for the week of 04.28.17
Transitions for the week of 04.21.17