"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."
Dear Visitor,
Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church has known the powerful presence and blessing of Almighty God from its founding in 1942 until the present. In 1943 Bro. Willard Tallman began a 44 year ministry as pastor of TABC. His ministry was characterized by bold and authoritative preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only the Bema will reveal the impact that Bro. Willard had on Bristol and the surrounding community.
In 1987 Bro. Joe Hudson was called to pastor TABC. Over the next 25 years we witnessed the start of a daycare and watched the subsequent growth of the Tennessee Avenue Christian Academy. We are presently ministering to over 275 children every day through these two ministries. AWANA and various UPWARD sports ministries are some of a multitude of ongoing children’s ministries. Sunday school, Worship Kid Style and age-graded music programs are a few of the ways we minister to and through our children on Sunday. From our students and college-career group to young married couples and median-age groups to our Senior Adults, God continues to bless in the ongoing and expanding ministries of TABC. For this we are eternally grateful and will forever praise our Lord and Savior, King JESUS!
On January 15, 2012, Bro. Joe Hudson and wife, Raye Ann announced their retirement. As a church body we have been extremely saddened by this announcement but we know that God is in the timing of it and He certainly is still in control of His church. To quote a song the adult choir sings occasionally, “He’s an on-time God” and He makes no mistakes. We have been blessed beyond measure to have had Bro. Joe as our pastor all of these years. And Mrs. Raye Ann…wow…only heaven will reveal how she has blessed all of our lives. Bro. Joe and Mrs. Raye Ann will be greatly missed. But it is good to know that for a short while they will be enjoying a well deserved rest. We also draw comfort in knowing that Bro. Joe and Mrs. Raye Ann will soon be doing what they have done all of their Christian lives and that is sharing Jesus with those in their circle of influence through whatever ministry God gives them in this particular stage of life.
So what about Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church? Let me tell you, we are going to keep on praising…going to keep on praying…going to keep on preaching…going to keep on being the church of the living God. We are going to keep on ministering in the name of the Lord Jesus and we are going to keep telling the lost that Jesus Saves! And yes, we are seeking His power and His presence and His wisdom as we petition the Lord God of heaven to reveal to us the man of God that He is preparing to lead His church to even greater heights for the glory of God.
So if you are new to our area and are seeking a church home where the inerrant and infallible Word of God is proclaimed, where the King of Glory is praised and worshipped, where people are loved and ministered to and the good news of Jesus Christ is front and center of every ministry, then come worship with us. If God would have you join our fellowship and serve alongside us in His vineyard then we would certainly welcome you to be a part of our family. Until then, keep lookin’ up…it could be today!
Bro. Phil Whitaker, Associate Pastor / Minister of Music and Worship
