Leaders in Christian Service awards

Leaders in Christian Service

The purpose of Leaders in Christian Service is to identify professionals and students who are shining examples of Christian leadership in the workplace, community, school, and church.

Do you know someone who is a shining example of Christian leadership beyond the walls of the church? A doctor, a teacher, an artist, a student, a business professional—whatever they are they advance the cause of Christ and exemplify a stewardship of their life, influence, and resources. Recommend this person as a Leader in Christian Service so that we all may learn from his or her example. Consideration is given to the following three areas:

  • Excellence of Christian character
  • Strong Christian example through leadership
  • Evidence of Christian leadership in the church and community

Nominations are due by November 30. An independent review committee will review recommendations and select those to be recognized. Honorees will be notified of their selection in December and recognized at a special convocation service in January.

Seeger's Steeple infant of a golden sunset

Nominate a Leader in Christian Service

All nominations must be received by November 30.

Honorees

2023 Honorees

Lilo W. Duncan
Elizabethton, TN
Carter Co./Monroe Co. Schools (retired)
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Lois Ferrell Greenwell
Johnson City, TN
Blackburn, Childers & Steagall (retired)
First Christian Church Johnson City

Wes Hanson, M.D.
Roan Mountain, TN
Rural Health Services Consortium
First Baptist Church Roan Mountain

Jill Hughes
Johnson City, TN
Ballad Health
Fairview Baptist Church

Jeffrey Alan Lucas
Johnson City, TN
Jeffrey Alan Lucas Design/Build (retired)
St. John’s Episcopal Church

Angie Phipps
Johnson City, TN
Corporate Travel Management 
First Christian Church Johnson City

Carmella Price 
Elizabethton, TN
Security Federal Bank (retired)
Central Christian Community Church

Todd Beamer Student Leaders in Christian Service

Loren Hensley
Piney Flats, TN
Sullivan East High School, Senior
Fellowship Baptist Church

Madeline Manear
Fallston, MD
Milligan University, Senior
First Christian Church Johnson City

2020 Honorees

Adam Crouch
Johnson City, Tennessee
Financial Advisor for LPL Financial
First Christian Church

Todd Fowler
Johnson City, Tennessee
Physician at Watauga Orthopedics
First Christian Church

Pete Headley
Johnson City, Tennessee
Retired Insurance Professional
Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church

Jeff Idell
Greeneville, Tennessee
Owner of Idell Construction
First Christian Church

Karl and Anna Kapoor
Johnson City, Tennessee
Veterinarian/Nurse
First United Methodist Church

Michael Lattier
Kingsport, Tennessee
Attorney at Hunter, Smith, and Davis
Mafair United Methodist Church

Mary Ellen Miller
Johnson City, Tennessee
Community Relations Strategist
Grace Fellowship Church

Ronda Paulson
Elizabethton, Tennessee
Founder & Executive Director of Isaiah 117 House

Allan Renfro
Johnson City, Tennessee
Architect at SPEC Corporation
Central Baptist Church

Sarah Smith
Johnson City, Tennessee
Science Hill High School, Junior
Grace Fellowship Church

Kelly and Jennifer Wolfe
Jonesborough, Tennessee
Owners of Wolfe Development
Jonesborough United Methodist

2019 Honorees

Tim Belisle
Johnson City, Tennessee
General Counsel for Ballad Health
First Christian Church

Boyce Berry
Johnson City, Tennessee
Pediatrician
Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church

Eula Fields
Johnson City, Tennessee
Charley’s
Thankful Baptist Church

Cay Greer
Johnson City, Tennessee
Community Volunteer
First Christian Church

Roger Leonard
Bristol, Tennessee
Managing Director for The Summit Companies
State Street United Methodist Church

Donna Noland
Johnson City, Tennessee
Nurse Practitioner/Community Volunteer
Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church

Dan Simerly
Elizabethton, Tennessee
President of Keller Glass
Southside Christian Church

Brian and Missie Way
Johnson City, Tennessee
Physician and Community Volunteer
First Christian Church

Student Honoree

Cooper Reaves
Johnson City, Tennessee
Science Hill High School, Junior
Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church

2018 Honorees

Bill Alton
Johnson City, TN
VP for Facilities at Ballad Health

Guynn Edwards
Johnson City, TN
Executive Director, The Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center

Darrell Fowler
Johnson City, TN
Owner/operator, Chick-Fil-A

Herb Greenlee
Johnson City, TN
Director, Carver Park

Judy Ingala
Johnson City, TN
Retired RN and healthcare executive

David Mills
Elizabethton,TN
Optometrist, Mills Optometric Associates

Marta Wayt
Kingsport, TN
Physician, Providence Medical Center

Student Honorees

Matthew Albritton, Johnson City, works with the Ministry for Widows at First Christian Church in Johnson City. He is a senior business administration major.

Emily Mark, Damascus, Maryland, works with Families Free. She is a senior business administration and social work major.

Jonathan Russell, Kingsport, works with LXI. He is a senior business administration and economics major.

2017 Honorees

Betsy Beaver
Johnson City, TN
Community Volunteer and Founder of “The River”
Attends First Presbyterian Church, Johnson City

Jeff Dykes
Johnson City, TN
CEO, Johnson City Power Board
Attends Southside Christian Church, Elizabethton

Pat Hicks
Elizabethton, TN
Retired Teacher/Administrator
Attends Southside Christian Church, Elizabethton

Jeff Keeling
Johnson City, TN
VP, Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union
Attends Grandview Christian Church, Johnson City

Carolyn Kerr
Johnson City, TN
Office Manager, Outpatient Cytopathology Center
Attends Piney Flats Methodist Church

Martha Laws
Johnson City, TN
Retired Teacher
Attends First Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Lisa Tipton
Johnson City, TN
Executive Director, Families Free
Attends Christ Fellowship, Kingsport, TN

2016 Honorees

William and Catherine Armstrong
Elizabethton, TN
Retired Educators

Randy Brewer
Johnson City, TN
Science Teacher and Track & Field Coach
Science Hill High School

Garland “Bubba” Evely
Erwin, TN
Senior Vice President
Bank of Tennessee

Charles “Chuck” Huffman
Kingsport, TN
Partner
Blackburn, Childers and Steagall, CPA

Dr. William Kennedy
Jonesborough, TN
Retired Physician
Watauga Orthopedics

Michele King
Johnson City, TN
Director
Care Services at Summit Leadership Foundation

Chris O’Connor
Jonesborough, TN
Key Account Manager
ConAgra Foods

Frank Proffitt
Rogersville, TN
Senior Vice President and Commercial Lender
Civis Bank

Tom Terry
Johnson City, TN
Retired
Financial and Computer Technology Industry

2015 Honorees
  • Mary Ann Blessing, of Bristol, Tennessee, is the director of Kingsway Charities. She attends Highlands Fellowship.
  • Joe Carr, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, is an executive vice president at the Bank of Tennessee. He attends Fairview United Methodist Church.
  • Jeff Clements, of Johnson City, is a mechanical engineer at Eastman Chemical Company. He attends Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church.
  • Kyle Colvett, of Johnson City, is a physician at Mountain States Health Alliance. He attends Family Fellowship Church.
  • Stephen and Trida LaHair, of Kingsport, Tennessee, are the owners of Chef’s Pizzeria and Southern Barbeque. He attends First Baptist of Kingsport.
  • Ed Gibbons, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, is the owner of Watauga Insurance. He attends Central Baptist Church of Johnson City.
  • Rebecca Henderson, of Johnson City, is a consultant at Strategic Priorities Consulting. She attends First Christian Church of Johnson City.
  • Bill Lizzio, of Johnson City, is the owner of Lizzio Development Company. He attends First Christian Church of Johnson City.
  • Tim Morganstern, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, is a chiropractor at the Jonesborough Chiropractic Clinic. He attends Jonesborough United Methodist Church.
  • Charles Nitschke, of Kingsport, Tennessee, is the retired director of business organization at Eastman. He attends Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Kingsport.
  • Kathy Sanders, of Kingsport, Tennessee, is the owner of Tri-Cities Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. She attends Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Kingsport.
  • Thurman Walters, of Johnson City, is a healthcare technician at James H. Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center. He attends Friendship Baptist Church.
2014 Honorees
  • Craig Augenstein – Account Executive, Lamar Advertising, Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church, Johnson City, Tennessee
  • Emil Messimer – Financial Advisor, Messimer & Associates, First Christian Church, Johnson City, Tennessee
  • Steve Campbell – Vice-President of Business Affairs, Northeast State Community College, Jonesborough United Methodist Church, Jonesborough, Tennessee
  • Elizabeth Patrick – Retired, Carter County School System, Lynn Valley Baptist Church, Elizabethton, Tennessee
  • Dale Fair – President/COO, Bank of Tennesse/Carter County Bank, Elizabethton Church of Christ, Elizabethton, Tennessee
  • Tanya and Jamin Rathbun – Owners, Trinity Arts Center, Discovery Church, Johnson City, Tennessee
  • Scott Folsom, Region President, TruPoint Bank, Tri-Cities Baptist Church, Johnson City, Tennessee
  • Bob Sluder – Retired, Unisys Corporation, First Christian Church, Johnson City, Tennessee
  • Gary Mabrey – CEO, Chamber of Commerce for JC, Jonesborough, and Washington County, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Johnson City, Tennessee
  • Nancy Stanton – Community Volunteer, Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, Johnson City, Tennessee
  • Robert Mckinney – Engineer, Eastman Chemical Company, Grace Temple Church, Johnson City, Tennessee
  • Andy Wampler – Attorney, Wilson Worley, First Baptist Church, Kingsport, Tennessee
2013 Honorees
  • Larry Calhoun – Founding Dean, ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, Johnson City, TN
  • Tom and Donna Seaton, Owners, The Firehouse restaurant,
  • Johnson City, TN
  • Tabatha Gonzales– Good Samaritan Ministries, Johnson City, TN
  • Mark Sitter – VinTech Manufacturing, Johnson City
  • Jim Heaton – Retired, Johnson City Schools, Johnson City, TN
  • Phillip Timp – The Beth Foundation, Bristol, VA
  • Jeff and Jennifer Keller – Social Security Administration/Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, Johnson City, TN
  • David Torgerson – Retired, Washington County Schools, Gray, TN
  • Ann O’Quinn – Private Piano Teacher, Johnson City, TN
  • Thomas Torbett – Retired, Appalachian Bible Company,
  • Johnson City, TN
  • Lynn Parker – Retired, Eastman Chemical Company, Church Hill, TN
2012 Honorees
  • Dr. Curt Barnes – orthopaedic surgeon, Appalachian Orthopaedic Associates, Johnson City
  • June Barrett – founder of the Crumley House, Gray
  • Dr. Patricia Bonner – retired professor, Milligan University, Johnson City
  • Jackie Charles – vice-president, First Community Bank, Rogersville
  • Robert Feagins – executive director of communications and development, Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, Kingsport
  • Elizabeth Hughes – retired executive assistant to the president, Mountain States Health Alliance, Unicoi
  • Jim Moore – vice president of facilities, Wellmont Health System, Kingsport
  • Fred Simerly – retired regional operations manager, Coca Cola USA, Johnson City
  • Bonnie White – homeless program educator and coordinator, Johnson City Schools, Elizabethton
  • Robert White – chief public relations officer, Johnson City Power Board, Johnson City
Past Honorees
  • Jeff Aldridge – assistant principal, Science Hill High School, Johnson City
  • Barbara Allen – volunteer
  • Frank Anderson – attorney
  • Dr. Frank and Mrs. Betty Anderson – dentist / volunteer, Johnson City
  • Robbie Anderson – curriculum director, Johnson City Public Schools
  • Wayne Anderson – consultant, WCI, Johnson City
  • John and Beth Arvin – teachers, Plainfield, IN
  • Sandy Babel – special education teacher, Science Hill High School, Johnson City
  • Jim Bailey – director of news and public affairs, WKPT TV, Kingsport
  • Stephen Baldwin – director of community development, City of Johnson City, Johnson City
  • Jeff Blackburn, CPA, Blackburn, Childers and Steagall, Johnson City
  • Dr. Ronald Blackmore – physician, Blue Ridge Family Medicine, Johnson City
  • Jeanette Blazier – mayor, Kingsport
  • Dr. Jim Brantner – chairman of board & chief surgeon, Fresh Start Surgical Gifts
  • David and Peggy Beamer – 9/11 hero on Flight 93
  • Ralph Bennett
  • Lynn Bledsoe
  • William Bosher, dean and professor, School of Education for Virginia Commonwealth University, Mechanicsville, VA
  • Paul and Betty Brown – Paul: internal medicine specialist with Johnson City Internal Medicine; Betty: author, educator, consultant
  • Jeff Brunson, corporate leadership coach, Basic Approach, Jonesborough
  • Josh Bueno
  • Tim Burchfield – franchise owner, Chick-Fil-A, Johnson City
  • Doris Hart Bush – executive director, Greater Kingsport Area United Way; founder, Trust Works Consulting, Kingsport
  • Jeff and Claudia Byrd – president, Bristol Motor Speedway / director, Speedway Childrens Charities, Bristol, TN
  • Linda Wilson Calvert – dean of community education, Northeast State Community College, Kingsport
  • Bob Cantler – general manager, General Morgan Inn, Greeneville
  • Phil Carriger, banking (retired), Johnson City
  • Tom Chase – addiction counselor (retired), Woodridge Mental Health; Board Member, Mountain States Health Alliance Foundation, Jonesborough
  • Joseph Clark
  • Dr. James Collins
  • Joel Conger – owner, Mauk’s of Jonesborough, Jonesborough
  • Cliff Corker – attorney
  • Mitch Cox – owner, Mitch Cox Development Group; founder, Coalition for Kids, Johnson City
  • Cody Custer
  • Horace “Butch” Dabney – retired elder and longtime leader at Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY
  • Bill Darden, Jr. – senior pharmaceutical consultant, P&G pharmaceuticals, Johnson City
  • Bill Derby – publisher, News & Neighbor
  • Dr. Clemente Diaz
  • Janie Dosser – RN (retired), Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City
  • Mark Durbin
  • Mike Eastridge – attorney
  • David Eunson – Unicoi County High School teacher
  • Steven Eynon
  • Jeff Farrow – physician, Pulmonary Associates of East Tennessee, Johnson City
  • Teri Ferguson – coordinator, Parish Nursing Program, Mountain States Health Alliance
  • Mike Forrester – program director, Coalition for Kids
  • Dennis and Ann Fulk – volunteers, Christian Missionary Fellowship (CMF), Noblesville, IN
  • Bob Garrett – president, Atlanta Investments, Inc., Johnson City
  • Larry Gable
  • Drs. Jim and Michelle Gardner
  • Homer G’Fellers – general manager, Johnson City Power Board, Jonesborough
  • Ike Gibson – retired, Hancock County Department of Human Services; volunteer, Of One Accord Ministries, Sneedville
  • Joanne Gilmer – retired, General Shale Corporation, Johnson City
  • Keith Glover – Human Resources Employee Training and Development Manager,  East Tennessee State University
  • Sam and Sally Greer – Sam: retired plant manager of Mayfield Dairy Farms, now active community volunteer; Sally: active community volunteer
  • Thomas S. Greer – CPA, Blackburn, Childers and Steagall, Johnson City
  • Dr. Joe Gregory – managing director, Kingsway, LLC, Bristol, TN
  • Polkie Gregory – special education teacher (retired), Johnson City School System; volunteer, Special Olympics, Johnson City
  • Dr. Dana Grist, optometrist and owner, Family Eye Care Center, Johnson City
  • Tommy Greer, CPA, Blackburn, Childers and Steagall, Johnson City
  • Stella Gudger – president, Price Public Community Center, Rogersville
  • David Hale – president and CEO, First Capital Bank of Kentucky, Louisville, KY
  • Hubert Hall
  • Troy D. Hammond – vice-president of products, Plextronics, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA
  • Bill Hawkins – retired chairman and CEO, General Shale
  • Elizabeth Ann Hay – professor (retired), King University; founder, Holston Habitat for Humanity, Kingsport
  • Justice Nathan Hecht
  • Jim Hensley – retired director of development, Angeles Crest Christian Camp, La Canada, CA
  • Ernie and Patti Hertzog – vice-president, teacher, residence staff, Mountain Mission School, Grundy, VA
  • Don Hill – owner and CEO, Toyota of Kingsport
  • Carl Hoffman
  • Patricia Holtsclaw – president, Mountain States Foundation, Elizabethton
  • Tom Hornsby – consultant, VisionWorks, LLC
  • David Howard – chief financial officer, Johnson City Power Board, Johnson City
  • Patricia Huffman – certified public accountant
  • Mr. and Mrs. Lyndsay Jacobs – World Convention
  • Frank Jarret – retired management, J. I. Cornett Construction Company
  • Lisa Jones – motivational speaker; founder, Cracked Pot Ministries, Bristol
  • George Karnes – dentist, TMJ Treatment Clinic
  • Dr. Michael Kimbro, physician and missionary to Peru, Mountain City
  • Tom Krieger, retired, Fleming Foods
  • Joe Knisley – pharmacist and owner; West Towne Pharmacy, Johnson City
  • Don Laskowski
  • Dr. E. LeRoy Lawson
  • Bobbie Kay Lewis – financial analyst, East TN State University’s Clemmer College of Education, Elizabethton
  • Fred Lewis – vice president for information technology, Northeast State Technical College, Johnson City
  • Bill and Kathy Linebarger – endodontist and Community Volunteer, Johnson City
  • Sheldon Livesay – executive director, One Accord Ministries, Rogersville
  • Odie Major – regional president, SunTrust Bank, Johnson City
  • Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mangel
  • Danny Matthews – vice president, Summers-Taylor, Johnson City
  • Stephen May – physician, Elizabethton
  • John Melton – senior VP and CEO, Washington County Operations, MSHA, Johnson City
  • Carolyn Miller – director, Bridge Refugee Service
  • Creola Miller – director (retired), Head Start Program, Carter County School System, Elizabethton
  • Donald Minor – HIV/AIDS educator, CVS/Caremark, Johnson City
  • Gregory Moffatt – professor, Atlanta Christian College, Atlanta, GA
  • Mattie Mullins, retired teacher, Johnson City
  • Terry and Patty Muse – financial advisor and office manager, New York Life, Johnson City
  • Ellen Myatt – publisher, Rogersville Review, Blountville
  • William Neeley – attorney, past president of the chamber of commerce, Grundy, VA
  • Russell Nelson, business development manager, Energy Systems Group, Johnson City
  • Dr. John O’Dell – director, Sullivan County Schools
  • William Pannell
  • Tom Parker – principal, Holston View Elementary, Bristol, VA
  • Trish Patterson – director, Hands On! Museum, Piney Flats
  • Dr. Connie Pennington – physician, Pennington Colon and Rectal Associates, Johnson City
  • Fernando De Sousa Pereira – ESL interpreter, Johnson City Schools, Jonesborough
  • Virgil and Carol Plymale – manufacturing engineer, hospice and school nurse, Columbus, OH
  • Brian Ponder – Ponder’s Auto Repair
  • Dennis T. Powell – former owner of Dennis Powell Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge, Johnson City
  • Dr. Ron E. Proffitt, president, Virginia Highlands Community College, Abingdon
  • Forrest Lee Ramser – retired chairman, Roxell; Board of Trustees member, Atlanta Christian College, Atlanta, GA
  • Rep. Linda Reidelbach
  • Dr. Edwin Richardson
  • Mark Richardson
  • Ed Robinson – director, Moody Aviation
  • Brian Rosecrance – executive director, Interfaith Hospitality Network
  • Lottie Ryans – director, customer service operations, TN/VA, Sprint
  • Dr. David Schilling, physician, Church Hill Free Medical Clinic, Kingsport
  • Denise Sibley, M.D. – physician, Wellspring Healthcare, Johnson City
  • Edwin Simcox – former Indiana Secretary of State and president of Indiana Electric Association, Indianapolis, IN
  • David A. Smith
  • Bobby Snyder – Daniel Boone High School basketball coach
  • Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr., president emeritus, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City
  • Joel Stauffer – chaplain, Elizabethton Police
  • Jim Stewart – owner, Stewart and Associates, Kingsport
  • David Temple – president, Saratoga Technologies, Johnson City
  • Kathy Torgerson, church secretary, Central Church of Christ; founder, Down But Not Out, Johnson City
  • Carol Transou – history teacher
  • John Vann – president and CEO, Clinical Trial Management Services
  • Dennis Vonderfecht – president and CEO, Mountain States Health Alliance
  • Bill Walker – principal, Rogersville City Schools, Rogersville
  • Marcy Walker – Johnson City School Board
  • Doyle Walters – general manager, Johnson City Power Board
  • Carlyle Walton – president/CEO, Takoma Adventist Hospital
  • Mark Webb, Dentist, Webb Dentistry, Bristol, TN
  • Dr. Brent Welch, Physician, Gastrointestinal Associates, Johnson City
  • Kathryn Wilhoit – vice president/CNO, Mountain States Health Alliance
  • Clem Wilkes – financial advisor/stockbroker, Raymond James Citizens Investments
  • Peggy Willocks – principal (retired), Elizabethton City Schools; Parkinson’s Disease, advocate and leader, Johnson City
  • Ambers Wilson, Jr. – owner, Masengil’s Specialty Shop, Johnson City
  • Calvin L. Wilson, Jr. – financial advisor, UBS financial services, Johnson City
  • Larry Winger
  • Laura Steel Woods – vice president of legal affairs, Care Centers Management Consulting, Inc., Johnson City
  • Dr. Tetsunao Yamamori

Questions? Please contact Kit Dotson, director of church relations. If you already have submitted a nomination form and wish to upload additional materials, click here.