People & Places

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Anniversaries

First Baptist Church in LaFayette recognized Roger Stansell’s 19 years as minister of youth and recreation on June 24.

Deaths

Ray_Burnette Ray Burnette

Longtime Georgia Baptist pastor Ray Burnette, of Cordele, died June 20 at Emory Hospital in Atlanta. He was 61.

During his ministry, Burnette served as pastor of Red Oak Baptist Church in Sylvester, Arabi Baptist and Penia Baptist churches in Houston Association, and as missionary for Houston Baptist Association.

During his ministry Burnette planned and led annual mission trips to Appalachia in Kentucky as well as overseas to Moldova and Ukraine.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rose, their three children, a sister, and seven grandchildren.

Ministerial Moves

Blundale Baptist Church in Emanuel Baptist Association recently called Shannon Boula as pastor. He is joined by his wife and two daughters.

Craig Bowers began his service as pastor of Wynnbrook Baptist Church in Columbus on Aug. 3. With 29 years in ministry, Bowers previously served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Locust Grove for 13years. He and his wife, Belinda, have three grown children.

Jim Harrell Jim Harrell

On July 26 Jim Harrell affirmed a call as pastor of Nunez Baptist Church in Emanuel Baptist Association. He is joined by his wife and two children.

Victor Lyons Victor Lyons

Victor Lyons accepted the position of pastor at Second Memorial Baptist Church inPerry, beginning Aug. 2. A former missionary to Chile, Lyons also serves as an adjunct professor at New Orleans Seminary. He replaces Houston Berry, who had been serving the church two years as interim pastor.

Eric Marston Eric Marston

On Aug. 2 Eric Marston began his tenure as senior pastor of Ewing Road Baptist Church in Austell. A graduate of Liberty University with three Masters’ degrees, he previously served for 11 years as student and family pastor at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Carrollton. His wife, Maria, and their three children Sadie, Lilia, and Ivey join him.

Jason Nave Jason Nave

North Metro Baptist Church in Lawrenceville announced June 28 that Jason Nave would join the congregation as executive pastor. Previously he had served as minister of pastoral care and missions at Blackshear Place Baptist Church in Flowery Branch. His wife Cristy and children Ben, 19, Jacob, 16, Caleb, 14, Luke, 12, Nathan, 10, and Abby-Kate, 4, join him.

Chris Ward Chris Ward

Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta recently welcomed Chris Ward as student minister. Ward and his wife Jill joined the church years ago when he arrived at Dominion Christian School in Cobb County  as a Bible teacher and football coach. They have two children, Grant, 4, and Kaylee, 2.

Norristown Baptist Church recently ordained Wayne Pullens and Rodney Amerson as deacons. They are pictured with Pastor Hal Wilson, center. Norristown Baptist Church recently ordained Wayne Pullens and Rodney Amerson as deacons. They are pictured with Pastor Hal Wilson, center.

Joining other Georgia Baptist churches, First Baptist in Snellville ministered to children through Vacation Bible School this summer. First Baptist held its VBS June 1-5 with the theme of “Journey Off The Map,” connecting with more than 1,200 children and volunteers. Through a partnership with Food Aid International (www.food-aid.org) participants also measured, weighed, packed, and sealed a year’s supply of food for 111 Haitian children. Numbers for 2015 aren’t available, but last year enrollment numbers for VBS in Georgia Baptist churches reached 262,454 participants reported among 1,913 churches. MICHELLE HOOD/First Snellville Joining other Georgia Baptist churches, First Baptist in Snellville ministered to children through Vacation Bible School this summer. First Baptist held its VBS June 1-5 with the theme of “Journey Off The Map,” connecting with more than 1,200 children and volunteers. Through a partnership with Food Aid International (www.food-aid.org) participants also measured, weighed, packed, and sealed a year’s supply of food for 111 Haitian children. Numbers for 2015 aren’t available, but last year enrollment numbers for VBS in Georgia Baptist churches reached 262,454 participants reported among 1,913 churches. MICHELLE HOOD/First Snellville[/caption]

On July 26 Bellevue Baptist Church in Macon celebrated Jan Toney’s 30th anniversary as church accompanist. She is pictured with her husband, Joe, left, who is also a deacon at the church, and Minister of Music Harry Graves, right. On July 26 Bellevue Baptist Church in Macon celebrated Jan Toney’s 30th anniversary as church accompanist. She is pictured with her husband, Joe, left, who is also a deacon at the church, and Minister of Music Harry Graves, right.[/caption]

Worshippers filled the sanctuary of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Marietta on July 26 for the concluding session of the annual All Nations Deeper Life Conference. Speakers at the three-day gathering included Ravi Zacharias of Ravi Zacharias International Ministry, Chris Gnanakan of Outreach to Asian Nationals, and Sam George of Parivar International. Special music was provided by Tanmay Pramanik and the Firebrands. Conference goers welcomed the new Consul General of India for Atlanta, Hagesh Singh, and his family to the service. The conference, which attracted hundreds of Asian Indians to the 21st annual meeting, was sponsored by First Asian Indian Baptist Church of Metro Atlanta where Younis Farhat, left, serves as pastor. Adrian Coetzer serves as pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church where the sessions were held. JOE WESTBURY/Index Worshippers filled the sanctuary of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Marietta on July 26 for the concluding session of the annual All Nations Deeper Life Conference. Speakers at the three-day gathering included Ravi Zacharias of Ravi Zacharias International Ministry, Chris Gnanakan of Outreach to Asian Nationals, and Sam George of Parivar International. Special music was provided by Tanmay Pramanik and the Firebrands. Conference goers welcomed the new Consul General of India for Atlanta, Hagesh Singh, and his family to the service. The conference, which attracted hundreds of Asian Indians to the 21st annual meeting, was sponsored by First Asian Indian Baptist Church of Metro Atlanta where Younis Farhat, inset, serves as pastor. Adrian Coetzer serves as pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church where the sessions were held. JOE WESTBURY/Index

Ministerial Moves, missions, obituaries, VBS