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George Clark
Senior Minister
george@followjesus.org
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Ministry Focus
I have enjoyed serving as senior minister for the church family here at West Towne since 1985. In my time here, I have seen God do some amazing things in people's lives. I focus my time on preaching, teaching, visiting, counseling, and praying.
Education & Experience
I graduated with a BA from Johnson Bible College way back in 1973 and have pursued graduate work at Lincoln Christian Seminary and Cincinnati Bible Seminary. Before coming to West Towne, I served ministries in Assumption, IL and Converse, IN.
Fun Facts
I grew up in an almost idyllic small town in central Illinois similar to "Mayberry". With two brothers, we played many sports: football, basketball, swimming, golf, and track. While playing basketball in college, I met my wife Becky, a cheerleader. Our three children and four grandchildren make life exciting. In my spare time, I love to hike in the mountains and cheer for the Vols. |
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Ron Bull
Senior Associate Minister
ron@followjesus.org
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Ministry Focus
I came to West Towne while still finishing at Johnson Bible College back in the summer of 1991 and spend my time hanging out with students, working with great teams of volunteers, and organizing things. I'm the 'chairman', because I have a list of every chair in the building. I can 'table' a lot of issues as well.
Education & Experience
Meriam and I both received undergrad degrees in Bible and Youth Ministry from Johnson Bible College, but she remembers a lot more than I do. I have some books on my shelves to make me look smart though. My favorites are simply the Bible and Reader's Digest.
Fun Facts
You will likely see me wearing an Oklahoma Sooners shirt often. I come by it honestly since I was born and raised in Bartlesville, OK. I came to Tennessee to attend JBC and met Meriam before the first day of classes. We married a few years later and now have three wonderful children: Emily, Cameron, and Aiden. |
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Hannah Gump
Children's Minister
hannah@followjesus.org
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Ministry Focus
I have been attending West Towne for several years as a volunteer with the elementary program. I have taught various classes, led worship and other silly songs, played all kinds of exciting games, and many many other fun activities! I am thrilled to now be a part of the staff here and getting paid to do such silly, fun things! Isn't God great?
Education & Experience
I graduated from Milligan College with a BS degree in Elementary Education in 2001. That summer, I got married to my husband Dan and got a teaching job in the same week! I have been a public school teacher for Knox County Schools for seven years where I learned all about elementary aged children and how to teach and, more importantly love them. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience teaching, and wasn't even considering another profession when I was asked to be the Children's Minister. Following God's lead, I accepted, and am now excited and nervous about the road ahead!
Fun Facts
Coming Soon...
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Heather Baldy
Family Ministries Director
heather@followjesus.org
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Ministry Focus
I came to West Towne in 1991, a few months after marrying my husband Lacy. I immediately became involved in Children’s Ministry. I have led preschool and elementary choirs and a variety of children’s Sunday School classes and worship times over the years. I have been involved in Women’s Ministry, Small Group Ministry and Music as well. I believe my passion, though, is for families - preschoolers in particular. This is why I had no choice but to say yes, when Ron Bull asked me to consider directing the Preschool Ministries. Now, I am focused on building a ministry that will come alongside families and encourage them, equip them, and love them with the love of Jesus.
Education & Experience
Lacy and I both received bachelor of engineering degrees from Vanderbilt University. I majored in biomedical engineering and math. I used a little of that training during my 7 years with Bechtel (an engineering and construction company). Then along came our first child. I had told Lacy long before we were ever married that I fully intended to be a stay at home mom when the time came. I loved what I did for a job, but I just felt that God wanted me to be a stay at home mom. That first year was a tough transition, but by the time the third child came along, I had plenty to keep me busy!
Fun Facts
If you don’t get me on the phone when you call, I’m probably outside – watching the birds, working in the yard, playing with the kids, just outside. The only activity I love more than being outside is water skiing on Norris Lake (and that’s outside too!). I suppose I can blame all of that on my parents, since I grew up in a rural part of Indiana where we raised pigs for 4-H, rode our horses every day we could, and took many family vacations at the lake. During the colder months, I spend a lot more time inside staying warm by the fire. There’s nothing better than a roaring fire, a good book and a cup of cappuccino on a cold winter day! |
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Rhonda Covert
Mother's Day Out Director
rhonda@followjesus.org
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Ministry Focus
I have always loved children. As a teenager, I loved to baby sit, and to work in the church nursery, and to teach the 3 year olds in Sunday school. It was important to me that children were shown the love and compassion of Jesus. As I had my own children, I continued to work with children at church and at school. Being involved as room mother and being on the PTA board was a way to encourage and nurture children at school that didn’t come from Christian homes. As my children got older, I had the opportunity to work at MDO in the toddler class as the assistant for 2 years. It was the perfect job! As the program expanded, I had the best of both worlds—assistant 2 days and co-director 2 days. When Jodi Simmons decided it was time to move on, I became the Director for both programs. What a blessing.
We get to share Bible stories and songs with 35 precious children each school day. They are like little sponges soaking up everything they hear and then spreading it to their family.
Education & Experience
I graduated from Business Careers Institute in Western Pennsylvania. I also attended Westmoreland Community College for Business Management. I have attended several classes on Childhood Discipline and Redirection as well as Tennessee State>’s Department of Human Services Child Care Orientation Training.
Fun Facts
For fun, I like to read, swim, and walk on the beach. Trying new foods at new restaurants is also one of my favorite things to do, too!” |
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Marshall Barnett
Youth/Recreation Minister
marshall@followjesus.org |
Ministry Focus I have been on staff at WTCC since January of 2009 but have worked with the youth here since the early 90's. My ministry focus is middle and high school youth and keeping up with the recreation ministry here at West Towne. I love working with youth and I love sports so I am in my element.
Education & Experience
I have a degree in Marshall Arts!
Seriously though, I attended East Tennessee State University for over three years pursuing a degree in education. I left college early to chase the money and pursue a career in railroad train dispatching. I left the railroad after ten years of third shift and worked as a service manager for a pest control company so I could spend more time with my family and sleep at night. After seven years of pest control I opened my own sporting goods store and became a small business man. Worst mistake I've ever made! All the pursuits of different careers led me to one conclusion; God had something better planned for me. So, here I am!
Fun Facts
My middle name is Shannon. That's a tough name for a boy growing up in Erwin,TN. Erwin is the only place to ever hang an elephant. Ask me about that sometime. I have the smartest, most lovely, hardest working wife in the world (Donna). I have two kids, Ben and Megan. They're ok I guess.
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Becky Clark
Office Manager
becky@followjesus.org |
Ministry Focus
I have been working in the office here at West Towne for about 19 years. A church office is a unique environment where I get opportunities to help others, touch lives, and gather and give out information. I also enjoy helping with different ministries but have a real passion for music. "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." - Berthold Auerback. So it's with joy I devote energy to music both personally and corporately to give a lift to the soul and express praise, gratitude, and awe to such a magnificent God.
Education & Experience
I graduated with a BS from Johnson Bible College in 1976. Along with raising three children and spoiling three grandchildren, I have helped in the three churches where we have ministered.
Fun Facts
I grew up as a 'PK' (Preacher's Kid) and became a 'PW' (Preacher's Wife). I'm "Mom Mom" to three cute, sweet, wonderful, funny, smart, precious (not to brag) granddaughters that I cherish spending time with. My other hobbies include cooking, music, crafts, hiking in the mountains, Vol ballgames, and "going out" on Friday nights. |