Chapter 7: A Time to Rejoice -- 1981-1999
With the passing of much loved Preacher Cline, the church family entered a period of soul-searching. Many members had never been faced with the death of a pastor. Rev. Ray Williams helped them through this difficult time. He had come to fill the pulpit for Preacher Cline during his sickness and stayed and ministered to the congregation until the membership called Dr. Melvin Faulkner to be interim pastor.
Dr. Faulkner was retired from full-time ministry but was still active in serving the Lord where needed. He and his wife, Beatrice, fondly called Mrs. Bea by the membership, worked getting the church ready to call another full-time minister. He led the church through a perioed of growth. Dr. Faulkner actively visited in the community, in the homes of members and non-members alike and encouraged church members to do the same. He had a genuine concern for people. Preacher Faulkner wanted the church to go forward for the Lord.
He was a strong promoter of training activities for the Sunday School and Training Union. He led the membership to take part in training activities such as "M" night. This stood for church training motivational night and was an annual event sponsored by the associaiton. Zion Hill Baptist Church took the "M" Night banners for High Attendance at this annual meeting in 1983, 1984, and 1985. The church also received banners for "M" Night Efficiency Attendance in 1983 and 1984.
In 1984, Zion Hill Baptist Church licensed Greg Johnson, one of its members to preach. Greg is the son of Stearl and Esta Reed Johnson. He was Sunday School Superintendent at Zion Hill when licensed. He attended Carson-Newman College and after graduation went on to Southern Seminary in Louisville. [He was ordained by Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Louisville, KY, November 18, 1990. He received the Master of Divinity in 1991 and the Master of Theology in 1994 from Southern Seminary. He pursued his formal education at the University of Oregon and received his Doctor of Philosophy degree June 12, 1999. He is serving the Lord in Tacoma, Washington.]
In 1985, the church selected four men they considered worthy for ordination as deacons. They were: Roy Bradford, Jeff Johnson, Donnie Reed, and Carroll Trentham. They were ordained August 25, 1985. Rev. Kenneth Stansberry gave the charge to the deacons and the church. Rev. Creed McCoy preached the ordination sermon.
[An interesting note about these four men. They all were somehow related to men who served as deacons in the 1930's and later. Jeff and Donnie are the grandsons of Bruce Reed, and Carroll is married to Bruce Reed's granddaughter, Priscilla. Roy is married to Oscar Galyon's granddaughter, Patsy.]
Soon after the Ordination service, church members voted to completely remodel the church, beginning in the basement. First, a fellowship hall was created from two classrooms and the hallway. New carpet and panelling were added along with new lights and a drop ceiling. Worship services were held in the newly remodeled fellowship area, where members enjoyed close fellowship!, while the sanctuary was remodeled. Next, the sanctuary underwent major changes. The most dramatic change was moving the choir loft from the side of the pulpit to be directly behind the pulpit stand. All new lighting, pews, altar furniture, choir chairs, and carpet were added. The church had a new rose/mauve color scheme. In 1986, the newly remodeled sanctuary was dedicated.
In the spring of 1987, the church membership was ready to call a full-time pastor. After months of in-depth prayer, the congregation called Rev. Phillip Lane to pastor. He was born November 13, 1944, in Murfreesboro, TN, to Paul and Erline Lane. Phillip was saved when he was 16 years old. He married Fay Thompson and had three sons. He felt the Lord calling him to preach in 1980 and realized the need for more Bible training so he enrolled in Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in Pineville, Kentucky. Rev. Lane came to the church from Clear Creek while he was a student. After graduation, he moved into the community. The Lord used him in a mighty way.
As a recent college graduate, Preacher Lane brought enthusiasm and new ideas to the church. He began teacher's meetings and organized a church council where the leaders of the church came together to pray and plan for the church year. The deacons and the council led the church into an active visitation program. As a result, Preacher Lane baptized 30 new Christians into the church family in 1987 and 1988. Church membership grew to 369 in 1987.
In the fall of 1987, Zion Hill hosted the Wednesday session of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the Sevier County Association of Baptists. Preacher Lane welcomed the messengers including from Zion Hill. Dr. Joe Wren, pastor of First Baptist Church Sevierville, was moderator. Dr. W. W. Cope, pastor of First Baptist Church Pigeon Forge, brought an inspiring message based on the 11th Article of Faith, Evangelism and Missions, from the book of Numbers. The ladies of Zion Hill provided a sumptuous noon meal. So much food was left that Zion Hill's members enjoyed a fellowship meal before prayer meeting that night.
Zion Hill's members had an opportunity to experience many kinds of activities in the 1980s. Bob and Freida Householder provided the church with a bus which was used for several trips by the church family -- to places like Opryland, Biltmore Estate, Tennessee Aquarium, Nativity Pageant in Knoxville, rides on the Knoxville riverboat, etc. Often Paul Bales would drive for groups, like the youth, on trips to Six Flags Over Georgia, Atlanta Braves games, Whitewater, and the Children's Home in Chattanooga. Bob Householder and Clyde Pressley were the usual drivers when the youth attended the Youth Evangelism Conference at Vanderbilt in Nashville every spring.
The church continued a period of growth, and new Sunday School classes were established. One was called Golden Youth for married couples, led by Preacher Lane and his wife, Faye. The other was called King's Servants and was taught by Carroll Trentham. It was made up of young married couples. The King's Servants were very active in involving all of the members of the church in fellowship. For example, a family fun day called Western Jamboree took place in the fall at Camp Ba-Yo-Ca. The class planned the food and events for the day. They also provided everyone attending a T-shirt commemorating the special day.
The class was also interested in ministering to the Senior Adults in the church who had lost their lifelong mates to death. They came up with the idea of adopting grandparents. This was a way they could become involved with a lonely church member by sharing some of their time and talents. The class held a banquet, two or three times a year in honor of their grandparents. The class also made a beautiful float for carolers as the choir went around the community singing carols before Christmas.
One of the class's major projects was writing and producing a play to try to get people to realize their need for salvation using a different approach. The play was called Innocent Blood and was performed many times before filled audiences. The setting was a Secular Criminal Court of Hometown, TN, 1987. The trial answered the question, "Was Jesus Christ really the Son of God," or "was Jesus Christ just another prophet?" The actors bringing the play to life were: William Haynes, Roy Bradford, Jimmy Loveday, Bobby Trentham, Clyde Pressley, Corbin Johnson, Mary Ellen Loveday, John McCammon, Mark Lee, Jeff Johnson, Donnie Reed, Janet Lee, Kenny Whitted, Danny Pitner, Philip Lane, Albert Valentine, Cindi Miles, Carroll Trentham, and Brenda Pressley. If members of the class weren't acting they were involved with lighting and sound, video, decorations, programs, parking, refreshments, working in the nursery or serving as ushers. Others who took part: Carroll Campbell, Wilma Dellinger, Darlene Gilbert, Donna Householder, Gladys Johnson, Marilyn McCammon, Mira Blalock, Sheri Haynes, Leslea Pressley, Helen Reed, Priscilla Trentham, Jill Whitted, Paul Bales, Sherry Blalock, Mike Gilbert, Wendell Loveday, Brian Manis, Tina Reed, Danny Wells, Zelma Rogers, Patsy Bradford, Tammy Campbell, Laura Blalock, Kathy Valentine, and Pam Pitner. It was a major undertaking but one that touched many lives!
In the 1980s, the youth department was one of the larger classes in the church. Workers were Roy & Patsy Bradford, Wilma Dellinger, Dennis & Glinda Hale, William & Sheri Haynes, Donna Householder, Rex & June Ogle, Dean Pressley, and Bobby Trentham. These leaders kept the youth busy with all kinds of activities including, lock-ins at the Sevierville Community Center, campfires at the Zion Hill Schoolhouse, Sunday night fellowships, camping and hiking trips, etc. The youth grew into a close-knit group. In March 1989, the church recognized the youth after their return from the Youth Evangelism Conference in Nashville with YOUTH SUNDAY. All of the youth took part. They were: Sunday School Director, Tony King; Church Training Director, Brent Ogle; Choir Director, Jerry Sutton; Secretary, Helen Hurst & Traci Graves; Treasurer, Missy Graves; Ushers, Andy Lane, Wendell Loveday, Jason Moore, Jimmy Ogle, and Wayne Wypich; Pianist, Carey Pitner. Teachers were: Nursery, Tawnya Gibbs; Eagles, Mira Blalock; Busy Bees, Kristi Radcliff & Chastity Stiefel; Cheerful Helpers, Carey Pitner & Tina Reed; Youth, Matt Hale; College/Career, Leslea Pressley; Young Adults, Salena Gibbons; Golden Youth, Dave McGarrahan; Steadfast, Paul Lane; Willing Workers, Missy Graves; Faith, Sherry Blalock; Loyal Soldiers, Brian Manis & Jesse Ogle; Fellowship, Jason Moore & Jeremy Pitner; and Gleaners, Susanne Warden. Youth filled the choir during the morning worship service. Leslea Pressley and Jimmy Ogle sang solos, and Tina Reed played a flute solo for the offertory. Since that time, Paul Lane has surrendered to the ministry and is pastoring a church in Wartrace, Tennessee.
From time to time the youth in Sunday School class were split into teams for competition, based on attendance, Bible reading, contacts, etc. The highest youth attendance was 36 one Sunday morning when special guests were Allen and Scott Blanton from Belize. They were students at Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy and came to share their testimony with the class and did a Christian rap called J-E-S-U-S. They also promoted the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in the morning service and gave some members Belize prayer pennies as a reminder to pray for their parents who were missionaries in that Central American country.
In 1988, a new baptistry scene was painted by Randall Ogle. The beautiful scene depicted mountains, rhododendron, and evergreen by a mountain stream. It was enjoyed by a packed church house who came to hear revival services led by William Boyd Bingham, Jr., of Binghamton Baptist Church, Middlesboro, Kentucky. People from all over the county filled the sanctuary as they came to hear this dynamic young preacher.
Later that same year, the congregation voted to have a pictorial directory for the first time. Ninety-seven different families took part by having their pictures made or included.
In 1988-89, the church purchased the Zion Hill School property and began construction of a pastorium to provide a home for the pastor. The pastorium was completed but unfortunately, Preacher Lane had to leave the church, never having the opportunity to live in the beautiful new home the church provided for their pastor. The pastorium is a modern home with three bedrooms, three baths, a great room, dining room, furnished kitchen, study, two-car garage and patio along with carpet, curtains, and central heat and air. The outside is brick and maintenance free. A special plaque hangs near the front door in appreciation of Wilbur and Mae Bales whose sacrificial contributions to made the pastorium possible.
One very special program in the church was the Bible Drill. It was an activity the children enjoyed under the leadership of Pam Pitner. Pam worked with the children tirelessly helping them memorize Bible verses and their scripture reference, learn the books of the Bible, and the location of special Bible stories or events, like the Ten commandemnts or the Sermon on the Mount. As a result of their hard work, Amy Connaster and Beth Loveday won the association drill and continued on to the state drill where they were Bible Drill State Perfect winners. Later, Jason Bradford and Charlie Loveday also won the association drill and went on to be Bible Drill State Perfect winners, two years in a row.
When Preacher Lane left, the church asked Kyle Rule to preach for a few Sundays. He helped the church's fellowship by having old-time hand-shakes. After a while, the church called Rev. Creed McCoy as interim. Even though "retired" from full-time preaching, Preacher McCoy led the church back to its roots by strong Bible preaching and teaching. On Wednesday nights, he would often teach from the Church Covenant or on Baptist doctrine. He led the church to have "Christ Is The Answer" placed at the front of the church around the baptistry. He often said with that at the front of the church, if no one gets anything from his sermons, if they can remember those four words, that is message enough.
Under Preacher McCoy's leadership, the church purchased a new piano. It was an ebony-colored Yamaha grand piano. To complement the beautiful new piano, in 1992, the church purchased an Allen organ. It has two full ranks, a full pedal board, stops, and computer cards to give it hundreds of sound possibilities. The church enjoyed spiritual piano/organ duets during the morning offertories with Mary Ellen Loveday, Pianist, and Patsy Bradford, Organist.
While serving as interim, Rev. Creed McCoy celebrated his 60th year in the ministry. The Knoxville News-Sentinel, August 4, 1990, edition, featured a full-page article on Preacher McCoy with a colored picture taken outside the church with his wife, Audrey. On August 12, 1990, the congregation of Zion Hill held a reception in honor of this special occasion. It was a beautiful day and a large crowd of friends and former church members came by to congratulate the McCoys.
On December 23, 1990, Rev. McCoy led the dedication service for the new pastorium for Zion Hill Baptist Church. In a couple of weeks, the first pastor to use the new facility would move in, Rev. Terry Bradshaw and his family.
Rev. Bradshaw was called by the church as pastor in November, 1990. He moved to the church field from Jackson, Tennessee, during Christmas holidays to enroll his children in the Sevier County School System. Brother Terry, as he affectionately came to be called, was born November 8, 1955 in Memphis to David and Genera Bradshaw. He was saved when he was 14 years old. Me married Brenda Hurley and had two daughters, Wendy & Shelly. He felt the Lord calling him to preach in 1977. He also felt the need for Bible study and enrolled at Mid-America Seminary in Memphis and later Union University in Jackson.
Brother Terry began the New Year on a new church field. He was excited about this new ministry and wanted to learn the church field and family quickly. The church welcomed him warmly with a pounding of canned goods. Preacher McCoy encouraged the members to fill the back of Brother Terry's truck with beans and potatoes. The members did and added more, too. They then invited Brother Terry to take part in a Men's Cake Bake contest. It did not take long for the congregation to come to love the Bradshaws.
Under Brother Terry's leadership, all areas of the church continued to grow. In 1991, Vacation Bible School enrolled 94, almost double the number the year before. Church membership reached 400 for the first time. Sunday School attendance was and Church Training attendance was [text stops here].
Later in 1991, the Zion Hill WMU voted to sponsor a senior adult ministry for the church. At their organizational meeting, the seniors chose to call themselves Golden Harvesters. They elected Nancy Valentine to be their first president and decided to meet the third Tuesday night of each month. The senior adults enjoy a time of fellowship each month as they share a meal together before a program, usually musical in nature.
In 1992, church members purchased new Baptist Hymnals to replace the much used and tattered ones. All were dedicated to the memory or honor of loved ones.
A big jump in offerings occurred in 1992 when offerings were $95,207.00. That amount was $30,000.00 more than the year before. Missions giving that year was $10,529.00.
One of the highlights of Brother Terry's years at the church was a speaking engagement of Dr. Richard Land. He came on a Wednesday night and preached to a full sanctuary about important moral and worldly issues facing the church and Southern Baptists. He had first-hand knowledge to share since he headed the Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Today (1999), he serves as President of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.
In 1993, Zion Hill Baptist Church ordained Dallas Moore into the gospel ministry by Zion Hill (71 years earlier, the church ordained his grandfather, Rev. Jason Baker.) Ministers who helped in the Ordination were Dallas Gibson and Clay Sutton. Rev. Terry Bradshaw served as moderator and Carroll Trentham provided special music. Preacher Moore was called by Gist's Creek, his first pastorate.
While at Zion Hill, Rev. Bradshaw was asked to write commentary for one quarter to go along with the Sunday School lesson in the state Baptist paper, the Baptist and Reflector. He was flattered to be asked, and the church was honored to have its pastor recognized for his ability in such a special way!
Brother Terry left the church in 1994 to go to Memorial Baptist Church in Maryville. To fill the void, the church asked Elmer Sharp to come as interim. What a blessing he was to the congregation! Many will remember the funny anecdotes he would weave into his sermons to emphasize a spiritual point. During his nine months at the church, Preacher Sharp baptized 12 and saw membership reach an all-time high, 424.
In the fall of 1994, the congregation called Rev. Floyd Powell to pastor. He was born July 26, 1941, in Alabama to George and Pearl Powell. He was saved when he was 13-years-old. He married Judy Warren and had three children. Their youngest, Shanda, has become an active part of the church family. Preacher Powell began his ministry at Zion Hill attending the annual Senior Adult Christmas Banquet, December 3, 1994. He was welcomed by Preacher Sharp, the senior adults, and the ladies of the WMU who welcomed him with a fruit basket.
When Preacher Powell came to the church, he worked with the following church leadership: Sunday School Superintendent, Clyde Pressley; Church Training Director, Roy Bradford; Church Clerk, Kathy Valentine; Treasurer, Bob Ailey; and Deacon Chairman, Carroll Trentham.
During his time at the church, Preacher Powell has begun a children's church during the morning worship service. As children come forward to sit at the preacher's feet, they are excited that he has prepared something just for them. Preacher Powell uses different object lessons to teach the children about Jesus.
The Powell family has a love for children. Judy works with children on Wednesday night and Shanda and her husband, Travis Ramsey, work with children on Sunday night. They have taught the children many Bible stories and songs. The children in turn will sing for the congregation from time to time.
On October 18, 1998, the church celebrated 125 years with a special morning service featuring special music by the choir and Carroll Trentham and preaching by Rev. W. A. Galyon. A wonderful noon meal was wnjoyed by hundreds. A special song service intermingled with history and recognitions made up the afternoon service (more in Appendix).
Two days later, the church hosted the annual meeting of the Sevier County Association of Baptists.
With a new century approaching, the following leadership was elected to serve the church 1999-2000. They are: Sunday School Superintendent, Clyde Pressley; Discipleship Training Director, Charlie Loveday; WMU Director, Patsy Bradford; Treasurers, Bob and Lois Ailey; Church Clerk, Darlene Gilbert; Choir Director, Carl Johnson; Deacon Chairman, Roy Bradford.
Endnotes for Chapter 7
[There were no notes included in the document submitted for uploading to this Web site.]
