Meet the Staff

Rev. Chris Hughes - Interim Pastor

My faith walk was initially nurtured in a tiny Missionary Baptist church in the neighboring mountains of western North Carolina. I came to know Christ in 1974 at age 13. From that time until now, not being involved in some capacity of church ministry has never really occurred to me. Since 1981, I have been involved in numerous facets of ministry, both full-time and part-time. My wife, Tonia, and I have been married almost 39 years, and have one adult daughter, Amber. Tonia and I have lived in the Carter County/Elizabethton area since 1994. Along with our miniature schnauzer, Ollie, we currently reside in the Hunter community. I earned a B.A. from Toccoa Falls College, and an M.A. in Religion from Emmanuel Christian Seminary. I love my family, the ministry of the Word, the Southern Appalachian Highlands, cheeseburgers, and all three sizes of schnauzers.

Mark Newman--Associate Pastor/Minister to Students

I have had the honor and privilege to serve as Student Minister at Calvary since December 2002. From the first moment I met with the Youth committee I knew this is where God was calling me to serve. God has allowed me to be involved in Youth ministry since 1989. God has allowed me to see Him move in the lives of teens that I would have never been able to see. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife, Myra, who keeps me in line, and two blessings MaKayla and Craig. I was raised in a Christian home, by two wonderful parents, Don and Mary both of whom taught me the importance of following and serving Christ in all circumstances. Thanks Mom and Dad for living the Christian life out in front of me.

Before serving at Calvary, I was a volunteer worker at Duncan Park Baptist in Chattanooga and Cedar Valley Baptist in Sweetwater TN. God then moved Myra and myself here to the Tri-Cities, where I served at Boones Creek Baptist in Gray, and First Baptist Jonesborough.

I have a BS degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1993). I worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield as a wellness consultant, 1994-2000 in Johnson City. I then took a position at Franklin Health and Fitness Center as Program Director from 2000-2002. Then I felt God was calling me to full time Youth Ministry.

More of a personal note: I am the Cross-Country and Track Coach at Elizabethton High School. I love spending time with my family, going for a run in the community, and watching Craig and MaKayla play sports. I am a huge fan of the Tennessee Volunteers “Good Ole Rocky Top” and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Carol Church--Ministry Assistant/Financial Secretary

I have served as Ministry Assistant at Calvary Baptist Church since November 1999.

I am married to Gary Church since 1980. We have one daughter, Leslie, a grandson, Kian, and a Weimaraner, Lilly. I enjoy target shooting, riding my bike, reading, cooking (especially grilling out!), and serving as Media Technician and Sunday School Teacher at the church I attend, University Parkway Baptist in Johnson City, TN. I also enjoy meeting people on the air via amateur radio (KE4IAZ).

My life verse is Romans 1:16--"I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for everyone who believes, first for the Jew and then the Gentile."