Four new pastors now standing behind the pulpits of Catoosa churches recently discussed their roles and challenges they will face.

All the pastors have been at their posts for about a month.

“It’s nice to be back in a community that still has a small town atmosphere,” said Hugh Hendrickson, 27, new pastor at Smith Chapel United Methodist in the Keith community.

In the United Methodist Church pastors are assigned to churches on a periodic basis. At the end of June, new assignments were made at its annual conference.

Hendrickson was formerly at Highview Methodist Church in Raywick, serving as an assistant in the youth ministry.

“I like churches to be a place of good news in a world of bad news and be a place of hope and outreach,” he said.

He said being a spiritual leader requires stability and ambition.

“The challenges of pastors nowadays are maintaining balance and boundaries in life,” he said. “Ministers fall under the idea they can put limits on the gospel and their community and therefore don’t reach their full potential.”

Kerry Bunn is the new pastor at Ringgold First Baptist Church.

“I have known all my life that I would be in ministry,” he said.

Bunn was licensed to preach when he was 15 years old and ordained at 18.

“(Churches are) always a presence for good in the community,” he said. “Churches and pastors are able to bring moral influence and spiritual influence to small communities.”

He said before he came to Ringgold the congregation started Vision 2007, which established core values for the church, such as faithful devotion and Bible-based teaching. Now, the church is working on implementing these core values.

Bunn said the main issues in small towns are family issues, usually between husbands and wives.

He added that another current issue is the “sandwich generation” which is middle-aged people trying to take care of their elderly parents and children at the same time.

His future plans are to develop ministries toward these topics and hold conferences and seminars.

Bunn is not yet sure what new ideas he will bring to the Ringgold First Baptist congregation, but he knows they will be meaningful.

“No. 1 is being there for the people; being present and being a friend,” he said.

Bill Jackson, 59, new pastor for Boynton United Methodist, said he looks forward to learning the “personality” of the church and community.

Jackson has 25 years experience as a minister and is from the Atlanta area.

He said it’s important as a pastor to witness the word of Christ and to offer hope and encouragement.

He said it’s early to tell what issues he will be addressing in the congregation, but he plans on training others to go further in their walk with Christ.

John Purrington, 37, has taken the helm at Ringgold United Methodist Church and so far is impressed with the congregation he his heading up.

“The church is very active with many ministries in the community,” he said. “They have a vested interest in helping the community through ministries like River of Life and work at Christ Chapel.”

He has taken over the church as it’s expanding and adding multi-million dollar youth and educational building.

Purrington said he looks forward to the work that will be accomplished.

“A pastor fulfills many roles and the main role is to be a spiritual guide and leader to lead the church in the making of disciples through example,” he said.

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Dr. Kerry Bunn, Ringgold First Baptist Church:

* Grew up in Griffin, Ga.

* Has a wife, Cathy, two children, Carrell and Randell, and seven grandchildren.

* Has several degrees including a bachelor’s from Mercer University in Macon, Ga., a master’s of divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate of Ministry from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.

Bill Jackson, Boynton United Methodist:

* Has been married for 36 years to his wife, Josephine, and has two children, Carrie and Todd. He also has three grandchildren.

* Attended the University of Tennessee from 1966 to 1970 and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology before going into ministry. Nine years later he received a master’s of divinity from Emory University.

Hugh Hendrickson, Smith Chapel United Methodist Church:

* Grew up in Rockdale County, Ga, a suburb east of Atlanta.

* Is in his first full time appointment as a senior pastor.

* Attained a degree first in marketing for Georgia State University and went on to receive a degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky.

John Purrington, Ringgold United Methodist Church:

* Was raised in Hollywood, Fla.

* Received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in religion. In 1996 he graduated from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University with a master’s of divinity.

* Has been married to his wife, Beth, for 11 years and has two children, Ian, 5, and Grace, 3, and also takes care of his grandmother, Kay, who is 94.

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