Originally published in the November 12, 2009 issue of The Evangel.
by Tom Crow, executive pastor
Fall is a great time of year to introduce your friends, work associates, neighbors, schoolmates and family members to your faith in Christ and to your church family. Christmas music celebrations at First Baptist Nashville are offered throughout the month of December beginning with the Christmas parade and each Sunday evening concluding with the Christmas Eve services. 
This is an exciting time at First Baptist Nashville as we welcome two new staff members and fill our last staff vacancy! First, we welcome Mr. Bill York as our Director of Security. You may know Bill already as our guard who serves Wednesday nights. You will now see Bill on Sundays, Wednesdays, and other times of service and meetings. He will coordinate our security and safety provisions. Bill retires from the Metro Police following 35 years of exemplary service.
Second, we are excited to welcome Shannon Meadors to our ministerial team as Minister to Children. Shannon and her husband Kyle are the parents to Jacob (five years) and Ava (18 months) and will be moving to Nashville over Thanksgiving week. Shannon will begin work with us December 1. The Meadors family will live in our church missionary residence while they search for a new home. You may want to welcome them during the following weeks with a special treat or a helping hand.
A Welcome Fellowship for the Meadors family will be Sunday, December 13, 4.30 - 5.45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Come one, come all! Bring your greeting card and best words of joy and encouragement for meeting Shannon, Kyle and their children.
We did not understand, until now, why we were unable to call a children's minister for so long. Now is the right time. Shannon is the right person. Thank you, church, for faithful service and prayers. Thank you, members of the minister to children interview screening committee--Bill Young, chairman; Sara Hylton; Jason Shull; Susan Smith; Leslie Wheeler; and Larry Yarborough. Thanks for the dedication of our interim leaders in children's ministry, for the faithful service of Lele Griesheimer, and for the volunteers who kept the ministry well! Don't let up! The best days are ahead!
