Ministerial Moves

Jody Anderson began serving as associate pastor to students and young adults at Royston Baptist Church May 17. He is a graduate of McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University and is joined by his wife, Tabatha, and daughter, Selah.

Royston Baptist Church called Richard Bielski as senior adult minister. Bielski began serving Royston March 8. Before coming to the church, he served First Baptist Lavonia for seventeen years until retiring in 1995.

First Baptist Church in Blakely called Charles F. DeVane, Jr. as pastor. His first Sunday was July 25. DeVane is a graduate of Mid-America Seminary, received his doctor of ministry from Gordon-Conwell Seminary, and has served churches in Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas. He is joined by his wife, Martha, their four daughters and grandson.

John Forrester resigned as associational missionary at the Middle Baptist Association, effective Sept. 6. Forrester has been appointed by the North American Mission Board to serve as a church starter strategist in Kotzebue, Alaska.

Dalton and Loretta Gahman, members at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, were called recently to full time music evangelism. The couple has been serving in the area of music evangelism since 1989.

Thomas Howell assumed a new role in pastoral education on March 8 at Royston Baptist Church. Howell will develop and implement Christian psycho-educational seminars, programs, and retreats dealing with areas including marital issues, blended families and parenting. He will continue to assist in the music ministry at the church as well.

Ed Johnson resigned as pastor of Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church in Flintstone on July 4. His last day at the church was Aug. 15.

Gail Lindsey resigned as secretary of Ridgeway Baptist Church in LaFayette on July 2.

First Baptist Church of the Islands called Marilee Rinderknecht as preschool ministry director effective Aug. 1. She is joined by her husband, Mike, and their two daughters, Emilee and Elisabeth.

Matt Sams began serving as pastor at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Acworth on Aug. 1. Sams is a graduate of Southwestern Seminary and served as pastor of Bread of Life Baptist Church in New York. He and his wife, Amy, are both teachers at Mt. Paran Christian School in Kennesaw and have one daughter, Anna Grace.

Ricky Studdard resigned as pastor of Ridgeway Baptist Church in LaFayette on June 30.

Michael Yates began serving as interim music director at Crawford Avenue Baptist Church in Augusta on July 15.

Tony Serna began serving as minister of programming and technical ministries at Cartersville First Baptist Church on August 1. He comes to the church from Seven Hills Community Church in Tallahassee, Fla. with his wife, Michelle, and sons Joel, 22, Brendon, 19, and daughter Alana, 17.