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Pastor Chris and Mrs. Ginger
Pastor Chris has been in the ministry for over 20 years. He has spent most of that time serving with his father, Pastor Rick Smelcer, at Maryville Baptist Tabernacle. He attended Maryville College where he played baseball and started a bible study that served more than 70 students. After graduating, Pastor Chris added a Master's degree in Administration and Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University and has plans to add his doctorate in the near future. He has been preaching an old-fashioned style of message since he was 19 years old. Outside of the ministry, his hobbies include: anything his daughter, Leah, is involved in (basketball); loving his wife, working out, and teaching physical education to the 600+ students at his school.
Destin 2021
Mrs. Ginger is currently the Senior Financial Analyst for Aramark Corporation. Pastor Chris says, "She is undoubtedly the best thing that has ever happened to me outside of Salvation." She loves working with the teens and missionaries. She is/will be planning mission trips to help missionaries and the less fortunate across the United States. Her hobbies include: sudoku, escape games, being best friends with her daughter, winning at any game she plays...! Her personality is infectious. It is said that she dreams in starbursts, rainbows and unicorn glitter.
Ms. Leah is currently a student at The King's Academy in Seymour, TN. She is an honor student and plays basketball for the Lady Lions. She is very witty and is definitely the life of the family. Her hobbies include: basketball, swimming, archery, sculpture, painting, and her phone....
Ginger winning...
Associate Pastor, Charles Whitson
Brother Whitson is a treasured member of GBC's leadership. At 92 years old, he brings 70 years experience in the ministry of the Lord to GBC. He has pastored, built, mentored, restored many churches from Louisiana to Tennessee (most notably, Walridge Baptist Church in Knoxville Tennessee).
After serving our country in the military, Bro. Whitson married his sweetheart Mrs. Joyce and the two began serving the Lord alongside each other. Mrs. Joyce has recently went home to be with the Lord where she has promised Bro. Whitson to be waiting by the river for him. His eyes fill with tears anytime he thinks of his sweet Joyce and his voice lifts every time he mounts the pulpit. As long as the Lord allows Bro. Whitson to stand, he will preach the third Sunday morning each month at GBC.
If you visit GBC, you will likely receive a call from Bro. Whitson as he serves as our Director of Outreach and Visitor Care.
Assistant Pastor, Josiah Brown
Bro. Josiah has quickly become a valued member of Gilead Baptist Church. He is currently a student at Crown College and has a desire and passion to one day stand in a pulpit that God will undoubtedly bless him with care of.
Bro. Josiah is very passionate about the Word of God and witnessing. His grandfather and his father are/were both pastors in West Virginia and New York areas. Bro. Josiah has been trained by some of the best men that could train a young man to step into the the ministry as equipped as someone could be.
If you visit GBC, you will see Bro. Josiah as he moderating each service, singing, preaching, and/or helping the pastor in any and all duties associated with shepherding a flock.
DEACONS
Johnny Roche - (wife) Karla
Harold Cooper - (wife) Mary
At Gilead Baptist, our deacons are passionate about serving the widows and widowers, sick and shut-in. They spend countless hours making phone calls, visits, and in prayer for the their church and the souls that God has put under their watch care. Bro. Johnny, Bro. Calvin, Bro. Harold, and Bro. Jason are four of the most attentive and conscientious deacons. God has truly blessed Gilead Baptist Church.
If it has been laid upon your heart to serve our church as a deacon, allow us to help you accomplish the desire that God has placed on your heart. We are always looking for good men to serve our church.
Calvin Lanning - (wife) Debbie
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Bro. Billy has been serving at Gilead for the last 4 years. Billy is an accomplished mandolin player and can play just about any instrument with strings. He has played and sang bluegrass gospel with some of the biggest names in the business. He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and love for God to Gilead. We love him, Mrs. Gena and his entire family, and it is a large family!
Billy Proffitt - Director of Music
Mrs. Amanda Comes from Sevier County and has joined in the work at Gilead. Her family, husband Kenny, daughters Haley (18) and Maddie (14), and son Bobby (12), are a great addition to the Gilead family. We are blessed for the Lord to have sent them our way.
Amanda Crawley - Pianist
Sunday School, Torch Youth Group, Children's Church
Pics and Info Coming Soon!
Trustees, Advisory Board and Church Secretaries
Our Trustees are a dedicated group of men that oversee our benevolence, watch over our church grounds and care for those things that our church needs to spread the Word of God to the lost and saved alike.
Trustee - Billy Proffitt
Trustee - Jimmy Manning
Trustees Not Pictured - Lynn Wilmouth, Gary Rogers
Advisory Board Not Pictured - Kenny Davis, Chris Brown, Josiah Brown, Aiden McDonnell
Treasurer - Karla Roche
Secretary - Kristi Davis
Asst. Secretary - Kelly Fawver
Outreach Group
Not Pictured:
Aiden McDonnell - Multi-Media Outreach
Mary Cooper - Food Ministry
Charles Whitson
Karla Roache - Visitor Care
Vicki Carter - Flower Ministry
Jimmy Manning
Kelly Fawver - Card Ministry
Cheyenne Fawver - Social Media
Gilead's Outreach Team is committed to reaching the community and helping our visitors feel welcomed and appreciated. This group of smiling men and women have a variety of responsibilities ranging from: Social Media, Website, visitors packets, card ministry, flower ministry, visitation coordination, and just being a smiling face to all who enter the doors at Gilead. When you are greeted by one of these smiling faces, you will know that have found your 'home church'.
Gena Proffitt - Events and Calendar
Church Care
We have some wonderfully dedicated members who care for our church campus and service order. These jobs are often overlooked in churches, but at GBC, we are honored to have wonderful men and women who keep things in order.
Calvin Lanning - Usher
Kristi Davis - Ford Hall Administrator
Lea Jones - Interior Care
Johnny Roche - Exterior Care
Summer Glenn - Interior Care
Jimmy Manning - Usher
Harold Copper - Usher
Not Pictured:
Aiden McDonnell
Jason Hodge
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