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.

Email Pastor Smelcer

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.

Associate Pastor Charles Whitson

Brother Whitson is a treasured member of GBC's leadership. At 93 years old, he brings 70 years experience in the ministry of the Lord to GBC. He has pastored, built, mentored, restored many churches from Louisiana to Tennessee (most notably, Walridge Baptist Church in Knoxville Tennessee).

After serving our country in the military, Bro. Whitson married his sweetheart Mrs. Joyce and the two began serving the Lord alongside each other. Mrs. Joyce has recently went home to be with the Lord where she has promised Bro. Whitson to be waiting by the river for him. His eyes fill with tears anytime he thinks of his sweet Joyce and his voice lifts every time he mounts the pulpit. As long as the Lord allows Bro. Whitson to stand, he will preach the third Sunday morning each month at GBC.

If you visit GBC, you will likely receive a call from Bro. Whitson as he serves as our Director of Outreach and Visitor Care.

Young Adult Pastor Chris Brown

Bro, Chris joined the church soon after Pastor Smelcer. Bro. Brown and his family had been searching for a church. One Tuesday evening, he and his sweet wife, Mrs. Kayla, sat in the parking lot and prayed. The following Wednesday they visited, and have been blessing our church ever since.

Bro. Chris is a graduate of Crown College in Powell, but hails from West Virginia and spent time there as a pastor and a Christian radio station manager along with his father, Pastor Joe.

In the 1990's, Bro. Chris spent time playing piano and singing with the Inspirations. God moved he and his family to New York where he once again worked as an associate pastor for many years.

Youth Pastor Jason

Bro. Jason Hodge has been a member of Gilead Baptist church for many years. God called him away for a short time to serve in other capacities but has recently moved Bro. Jason and his family back to Gilead and everyone could not be more happy they are back.
Bro. Jason and his wife, Mrs. Lori, have been integral in boosting our Young Adult Sunday school class. after opening a brand new classroom, they have already out grown it and are waiting for another newly remodeled larger room.
Bro. Jason oversees the Youth Department and events. They have many events already planned for the year. You will see Bro Jason, Mrs. Lori, Brady (son), Geneva (Brady's girlfriend...), and Destiny (daughter) at all of them. What a faithful family!

Asst Pastor Josiah Brown

Bro. Josiah has quickly become a valued member of Gilead Baptist Church. He is currently a student at Crown College and has a desire and passion to one day stand in a pulpit that God will undoubtedly bless him with care of.

Bro. Josiah is very passionate about the Word of God and witnessing. His grandfather and his father are/were both pastors in West Virginia and New York areas. Bro. Josiah has been trained by some of the best men that could train a young man to step into the the ministry as equipped as someone could be.

If you visit GBC, you will see Bro. Josiah as he moderating each service, singing, preaching, and/or helping the pastor in any and all duties associated with shepherding a flock.

Bro. Rick Owens

Bro. Rick and Mrs. Carol are spiritual spark plugs in our church that have raised the level of worship. They are excited to serve the Lord in any capacity.

Bro. Rick comes with wealth of Bible knowledge and is considered a scholar in the field of the Authorized, Preserved KJV. We would highly recommend Bro. Rick to a Pastor looking for a series regarding the foundational truth that is the KJV. Bro. Rick's knowledge and study will not disappoint.

Bro. Rick is a walking miracle after suffer a major stroke in early in 2024. God has raised him back up ad he is preaching again. Praise the Lord!

GBC is blessed to have the Owens family serving with us!

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.

Bro. Johnny and Mrs. Karla Roche

Bro. Calvin and Mrs. Debbie Lanning

Bro. Harold and Mrs. Mary Cooper

Bro. Jason Hodge - Miss Destiny, Mrs. Lori, Bro. Brady

Music Department

Bro. Billy Proffitt - Music Director, Guitarist, Soloist, New River Quartet (Lead)

Bro. Billy has been serving at Gilead for the last 6 years. Billy is an accomplished mandolin player and can play just about any instrument with strings. He has played and sang bluegrass gospel with some of the biggest names in the business. He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and love for God to Gilead. We love him, Mrs. Gena and his entire family, and it is a large family!

Amanda Crawley - Pianist

Mrs. Amanda Comes from Sevier County and has joined in the work at Gilead. Her family, husband Kenny, daughters Haley and Maddie , and son Bobby , are a great addition to the Gilead family. We are blessed for the Lord to have sent them our way.

Aiden McDonnell - Organist, Bassist, Soloist, New River Quartet (Tenor)

Brother Aiden may be one of the most gifted young men you will ever meet. Not only is he artistically gifted with a pen and brush, but he is musically gifted.

Coming from a large family, Bro. Aiden has always found a way to fit into a large crowd. He has done the same thing at GBC. He has started playing the bass and organ as needed. If he is not playing, you will hear his very unique tenor voice from the back row of the choir loft.

During Sunday school, you can find he and his wife, Joanna, teaching our Teen class. And until she is ready for her own class, you will see their beautiful baby girl, Kit, in there with them.

What gift and a treasure Bro. Aiden and his family have been to GBC.

Bro. Chris Brown - Multiple Instruments, New River Quartet (Bass)

Bro. Brown has been blessed with many musical talents, but the greatest is the willingness to fit in where needed with no ego.

Bro. Van Caldwell - Asst Choir Leader

Bro. Van has years of experience in leading and singing. He is a faithful member of the GB choir and is ready at a moment's notice to step in.

Bro. Bobby Crawley

Bro. Bobby has begun to help lead the young adult choir on Wednesday nights during the YAF (Young Adult Fellowship).

We are excited to see our young people finding a place to serve and worship God.

Bro. Larry Stuffle

Bro. Larry has become a valued member of our music department since joining GBC. You can find him playing rhythm guitar each service and singing a special from time to time.

Sunday School, Torch Youth Group, Children's Church

Mrs. Kayla Brown

Mrs. Kayla brings a wealth of knowledge in teaching children and being able to find what they need to help them understand the Gospel. On one occasion, Mrs. Kayla had the opportunity to lead one student to the Lord in Salvation by teaching in the book of Revelation.

Bro. Aiden and Mrs. Joanna and Miss Kit McDonnell

This dedicated family came to us from Crown College. They are spirited workers and have a deep desire to see the next generation grow in knowledge, spirit, and worship of the Lord.

Teens at GBC learn the Word of God and not just stories and catchy sayings and it is because of these two great students of the Word who live what they teach.

Bro. Jason Hodge - Young Adult Class

Brother Jason came to the pastor with a heavy burden on his heart for the young adults at GBC. He was given the space to grow a class and in short order, they out grew the room. Today, the Young Adult class (The Bridge) has their own web page, livestream, and followers across the area and beyond.

If you are looking for a place to grow in those years between the teens class age class and the adult age class, GBC has the class for you.

Bro. Johnny Roche

Bro. Johnny has been teaching the adult Sunday School class for many years. As a great Bible scholar, Deacon, retired police officer, avid hunter and fisherman, Bro. Johnny brings a wealth of knowledge and real life experience to the class.

Bro. Johnny's class meets in the sanctuary each Sunday morning at 10am.

Leadership

Pastor Chris and Mrs. Ginger

Deacons

Music Department

Sunday School, Torch Youth Group, Children's Church

Nursery Care and Attendants