Senior Pastor: Allan Lovelace

Allan Lovelace was born and raised in Morristown, TN where he graduated from Morristown West High School in 1987. He went to college at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN where he played football for the Golden Eagles from 1987-1991. He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Allan answered the call to preach at the age of 19 and began pastoring his first church as a senior at Tech.

While in college, he met Taunya his future wife. She was an education major from Ashland City and a member of the Golden Eaglette Basketball team. Pastor Allan graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 2009. He plans to pursue a Doctor of Ministry in the near future. Allan has pastored three churches over the past 18 years coming to Waterville in 2000. The Lovelaces have three children: Sabrina, Ryan, and Nathan. 
 

Associate Pastor: Joe Brooks

Joe Brooks serves Waterville, as the associate pastor. He began in this position in September, 2007. His duties include general pastoral ministry, assisting leaders in developing new and existing ministries, and loving the congregation.

Joe was saved in April, 1970 at the Southside Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN where his dad, Sam Brooks, was preaching in a revival. The next week, Joe was baptized and became a member of the Big Spring Baptist Church, Cleveland, TN, along with his sister Kathy, who was saved in the same service in Lebanon. Joe married Lisa on June 20, 1987. Lisa is a registered nurse and works as a case manager for Life Care at Home of Cleveland. Joe and Lisa have two boys: Kyle and Graham.  

Joe received his Master's of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in August, 1997. He received his Bachelor's of Arts in Ministry with emphasis on Bible preaching from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in June, 1992. Prior to coming to Waterville, Joe served as pastor of churches in Mississippi, Southeast Kentucky, and Southeast Tennessee. Most recently, he served as pastor of Big Spring Baptist Church from 2002 to 2005.
 

Minister of Music: Sammy Parris

Sammy Parris was born and raised in Cleveland, TN where he graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1988. He went to college at Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, TN. He received a Music Degree in late 2008 and is currently continuing his music education at Lee University.

Sammy served as the worship leader at First Baptist, Charleston, TN before coming to Waterville in 2005. The Parris' have six children ranging from birth to middle school.

Minister to Students: Judson Kirkpatrick

 Lettie and Tom Kirkpatrick began their marriage as members of Waterville but moved to another local church before Judson was born. Judson found his way back as a college student, however, and he and his wife Jenny have called Waterville home for most of their marriage. Judson’s first position at the church was Student Ministry Intern, and he became the Minister of Students in May 2009.

Judson graduated from Bradley Central High (2004) and Lee University (B.A. English Education, 2007) and plans to pursue a master’s degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He works full time as an English teacher at Lake Forest Middle School.

Judson and Jenny are expecting their first child in November 2010.