Leadership
Pastor Chris and Mrs. Ginger
Pastor Chris has been in the ministry nearly 30 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 will be finishing his doctorate very soon. 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.
Mrs. Ginger (TFL - The First Lady) 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.
Deacons
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.
Music Department
Sunday School, Torch Youth Group, Children's Church
Pictures and Information coming soon...
Trustees
Advisory Board
Church Secretaries
Outreach Group
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'.
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.
