| |
|
March 16, 2010 |
 |
John Tharpe
John Tharpe grew up in Kokomo Indiana.
Recruited by Big Ten schools and the University of Tennessee
to play college football in 1972.
First job after football was with C&C
which lasted for 4 years. I was the branch manager of the
Chapman Highway branch.
Current job Realtor for 30 years.
Married to Vickie for 32 years,
a science teacher in Knox County. 2 sons, Derek with Pilot
Oil, and Bryan studying at UT to be an aerospace engineer.
Daughter in-law Kristen and
granddaughter of 5 months Riley.
Active member of Trinity Chapel.
Former pastor of Lakeview Baptist
church.
Started a church out of our home that
ultimately met in Karns elementary school, which grew to
approximately 60.
Currently in the planning to start a
local church in West Knoxville.
|
|
March 23, 2010 |
 |
Tony Maples
Tony has served
as Pastor of Valley Grove Baptist Church(Ball Camp) since
January 1990. For most of this time he served as bi-vocational
pastor, while working full time for the United States Postal
Service (USPS). He retired from the USPS in August 2009. Tony
and his wife of 28 years, Lynda, are both natives of Knoxville
and have two adult daughters.
Tony’s
testimony is about the faithfulness of God. Although he wasn’t
raised in a “church going home” God called him into the ministry
at the age of 17. Truly his life is evidence that God “..is able
to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to
his power that is a work within us.” Ephesians
3:20
NIV |
|
March 30, 2010 |
 |
Tammi Tamara Gauldin
Due to
mountains of mercy and “great big” piles of grace, I remain
on my way to fulfilling an immeasurable calling that is just
right for me. Coming from a wonderful family of modest
means, I learned the importance of relationships of the
family unit. My parents, Marvin Dean Gauldin and Shenella
Ruth Gauldin gave me what I needed, when I needed it, and
how much I needed – regardless of the sticker price. If I
asked for $20 for dinner, my dad would give me $7, and
explain that $7 is what I needed. That very simple
statement evolved into a lifestyle where I desire to assist
people in getting “WHAT THEY NEED!”
Convinced
that I was a prophet (all baby Christians do this...don’t
they?), I ambitiously became a voice for YoungLife in
highschool. I spoke about the goodness of God on several
platforms whenever I had the opportunity. As a freshman in
high school (or a “two-year-old” Christian), I began raising
money to take alternative spring breaks to do service work.
This compulsion to serve continued through college, and I
participated in mission trips to Chicago, Kentucky, and
South Carolina. Realizing that “all nations” permeated
beyond the United States, in 2001, I went on a three- month
mission trip to Senegal, Africa. In ways I didn’t understand
until years later, God showed up on that trip. That trip
changed my life and rocked my faith, as I endured
psychological and emotional wounds that handicapped “me” for
years. I became confused regarding “the workings of God” and
“the workings of the devil posed in sheep’s clothes.” As I
struggled with my own “faith shake,” I felt incapable of
sharing with others insight as to what they needed.
After my
trip to Senegal, “I” decided that I would never participate
in overseas missions again. “I” was convinced that mission
work was not God’s will for me. “I” felt as though I needed
a break, and that my calling was not in the ministry. So I
took a three-year detour that reads as follows:
Tamara
earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Union University in
Jackson, Tennessee, where she double majored in Political
Science and Social Work. Tamara was also a collegiate
athlete and played four years for the Union University Lady
Bulldog Basketball team. After graduating from Union
University in 2002, Tamara earned her Doctor of
Jurisprudence Degree in 2005 from the University of
Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville. Her legal career in
private practice took her to Nashville, Tennessee, which has
provided her great opportunities in her community. Tamara is
an active member of Born Again Church, an assistant
basketball coach at St. Cecilia Academy, member of a
non-profit board of directors, and member of the Napier
Looby Bar Association. T. Tamara Gauldin is a practicing
trial Associate in the Nashville office of ____________.
Her law practice includes an emphasis on defense of workers’
compensation claims for employers, premises liability
defense, and employment law.
My
“detour” found me focused on becoming a great attorney and
keeping God just close enough to sooth my conscience.
While I sought
to distance myself from God – a foolish and a dangerous trek –
God had other plans. In January of 2009, God showed up and
showed out! My job had become the main focus of my life, and He
took that away, along with the things that distracted me from
Him. While I was laid off from my job, I attended a one-week
women’s conference with my church. During that conference, it
became clear to me that God wanted me to go overseas...AGAIN! It
seemed that, perhaps, missions are just a part of who I am.
Knowing that God does not give ultimatums, I signed up for an
August, 2009 Mission Trip to Chapelton, Jamaica, even though I
wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for it. In short order,
however, I learned that God would provide the resources to fund
the trip. In April, 2009, I was hired with Wimberly Lawson
Seale Wright & Daves, PLLC. Given my personality, I was hesitant
to continue with the mission trip so soon after starting my new
position. I felt as though I had not worked for the firm long
enough to take off 14 days. But I gathered the courage to
silence the devil and I requested the time off from work. Guess
what: the trip was approved. The firm has totally embraced me
and this firm truly is carried by the blessings of many of its
faithful attorneys – my how you can feel it!
During my
trip to Jamaica, I realized that “I am enough”...5’8”, thin,
dark complected, brilliant smile, with a J.D. degree,
thoughtful, witty, logical, friendly, teachable, loveable,
childless, and husbandless.... “I am enough.” In Jamaica, God
used me. That same girl who had vowed never to step foot
overseas for missions again, provided others with WHAT THEY
NEEDED – Christ! |
|
April 6, 2010 |
 |
Cliff Johnson
Cliff was
born July 21, 1930 in the State of Iowa. He lived at Sunshine
Mission and Foster Homes. Latter his mother became a Christian,
and made a home for her and Cliff (we were poor).
At the age of
eleven (11), while on the way to work as a pinsetter for a
“bowling-alley” to help support the family, a car ran him down
and his leg was broken. It was during that convalescence that
Cliff came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
During his
high school days Cliff excelled in athletics’, and received
letters in Football, basketball and Track. As a teenager he
worked for Milwaukee Railroad. In 1951 Cliff joined the United
States Navy, and served during the Korean War.
In 1954,
Cliff married his wife Shirley. They are the parents of four (4)
boys, having lost their second son to leukemia; they are
extremely compassionate to those who have lost a child.
During his
adult life Cliff taught Sunday school classes for forty (40)
years. While working for Union Carbide Cliff was caught up in
an industrial accident that involved “ammonia-gas”, and
retired. He and his wife moved to Knoxville, TN in 1992.
Meanwhile the severity of being exposed to such a high level of
ammonia gas left him with serious health issues. He was
hospitalized several times and on one occasion Shirley had to
perform CPR while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
After an
extended hospital stay Cliff returned home, prayed to God for
healing, and was prayed for by his friends. This led him to
seek an “herb” store, in search of three (3) herbs (that were
recommended).
During the
herb treatment (after three months Cliff was normal) never had
an attack again. Cliff’s healing occurred fourteen (14) years
ago, and he now enjoys golf, walking, doing chores, and telling
others about the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ. According
to Cliff, “God has been so good to me”. |
|
April 13, 2010 |
 |
Jerry Jones
My name is
Jerry Jones. I was born and raised in the Gibbs community of
Knox
County where I still reside. My wife Janice and I have been
married for 41 years. We have four children, five grandchildren
and two more arriving soon.
I attended
Gibbs
High School
and the University of Tennessee. I worked several years in
consumer product sales as a Key Account Supervisor for the Dial
Corporation. As a victim of downsizing, I began a new career
with the Postal Service where I am currently employed.
I am a combat
veteran, having served with the 1st Cavalry Division
in Vietnam and Cambodia. I saw action as an infantry squad
leader and I am a Purple Heart recipient.
My real life
began at the age of 12 when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord
and Savior. I was once the top sales rep in the
United States
and I have metals, which proclaim me as a man of valor, but
those honors pale in comparison to the significance I have found
in serving the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. I have
found a joy, which cannot be equaled by anything this world has
to offer. I am on a wonderful journey and my final destination
is Heaven! There is someone God wants me to be and there is
something He wants me to do. Each day I learn more about my
purpose here. I would love to share my story with you and help
you realize your purpose. |
|
April 20, 2010 |
 |
Bryan Keith
Bryan Keith was born and raised
in Knoxville and now lives and works in Jacksboro, TN. He has
been married to his wife, Pam for 18 years and he has 3 boys.
His oldest son, Bryan, is on his way into the Air Force. His 2
youngest sons, Thomas and Andrew, are in middle school.
Although born into a church going, God fearing family, Bryan
went through a time when God was not his number one focus.
Raised by a hard working, single mother, he fell victim to the
popular temptations of the world. Through trials and
tribulations, he has not only found his way back to the Lord but
he has been a great leader at home, at work, and at his church.
He has been employed at Holston Gases for 18 years. Starting
out driving a delivery truck, he worked hard and moved into
sales and currently into management. Midway through his career,
he returned to college and received his B.A. in Business
Administration. Bryan has been very active at Corryton Church
since he joined 16 years ago. His passion is the Upward
Basketball and Football programs. From coaching to refereeing,
you can always find Bryan mentoring kids of all ages. During
the summer, when he is not working, you can find him on Norris
Lake holding a fishing pole. |
|
April 27, 2010 |
|
LTC (Ret) Fred Mynatt |
|
May 4, 2010 |
 |
Sherry Witt
Sherry Witt is the Knox County
Register of Deeds, becoming the first female ever elected to
that office in August of 2008. A native of Knoxville, Sherry is
a graduate of Fulton
High School and holds a B.A.
degree from the University of
Tennessee. She has also earned a Certified Public Administrator designation from
the University of Tennessee Center for Government Training.
Including her tenure as Chief
Deputy, Sherry has been an employee of the Register of Deeds
office since 1984. She is a former President of the East
Tennessee Register’s Association. An active member of the
Republican Party, Sherry has served as an officer for the
Executive Committee, as well as in numerous Republican Clubs in
the Knoxville area.
Sherry’s community involvement
has also been an important part of her life, including
memberships in various civic organizations, such as Boys and
Girls Clubs, school PTO and the Dogwood Arts Festival. She has
served on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of America,
and has been a volunteer in numerous community fundraising
efforts.
Sherry has been a member of
Corryton Church for the past
15 years. She currently resides in the Fountain
City area and has two daughters, Shay, a 2006 graduate of
East
Tennessee State
University, and Chelsey, who works with Tennessee Oral Surgery
group. |
|
May 11, 2010 |
|
|
|
May 18, 2010 |
  |
Officer Randy
A. Myers
Ever since Officer Myers was six years old, he always
wanted to be a police officer. After he was saved at the age of
14 he thought that dream was over. Just as most fears of any 14
year old, he thought that after he gave his life to Jesus that
He would ask him to go live in a grass hut somewhere in the
jungle but that didn’t happen.
Officer Myers has been in law enforcement (LE) since 1990
serving with Belle Police Dept in Belle, WV and Anderson County
Sheriff’s Office in
Clinton, TN. He is
currently serving with the Oak Ridge Police Department as their
Public Relations Officer.
Officer Myers has been married to his wife for 24 years and
they have three teen agers.
He has an Associates Degree in Police Science from
Roane State
Community College and a Bachelors Degree in Church Ministry from
The Sure Foundation Theological Institute. He has received
numerous accommodations and awards in his 20 year career
including a “Life saving” medal in 1997 from the American Police
Hall of Fame.
He is the Founder and
CEO of a
ministry called, “International C.O.P.S. Ministries”. From
2003-2007 the ministry was praying for 58 law enforcement
personnel in the local area of Anderson County, Knox County and
Campbell County. But in July of 2007 God began to grow the
ministry.
In a little over eight months the ministry began to pray
for over 200 law enforcement personnel in 23 states. In an
additional ten months later they began to pray for over 400 law
enforcement personnel in 30 states. Today they are praying for
over 500 law enforcement personnel in 35 states and they also
have families praying for LE personnel in two other countries. (Canada
and England)
To this day the ministry continues to grow under the
leadership of the Holy Spirit. Officer Myers says, “It is
because of Him that we have been able to accomplish the things
we have accomplished.”
His goal for himself and the ministry is to follow HIM
where ever He leads him and the ministry. To be able to share
the love of Christ and to see Him save souls! |
|
May 25, 2010 |
 |
Janis Stone |
|
|