First Christian Church of Chattanooga announces that it has called the Reverend Brandon Gilvin to be its new senior pastor of the 400-member congregation beginning October 2015.
Rev. Gilvin, 39, is originally from Kentucky. He is a graduate of Hiram College in Ohio and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University. Having served in a number of ministerial and leadership positions, one of Gilvin’s most recent positions included work as the Associate Director/Director of Operations at Week of Compassion for five years.
Week of Compassion is the Relief and Development Mission Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He was a program development consultant for Church World Service, and maintains his position as a well-known author for Chalice Press, publishing arm of the Disciples of Christ denomination. Currently the interim minister for Lee’s Summit Christian Church in Missouri, Rev. Gilvin and his wife, Lisa Hale Gilvin look forward to living in Chattanooga and becoming active in the community.
The search for a new pastor began during the summer of 2014 when Pastor Paul Rebelo departed, following nine years of service. The decision to call a transitional pastor brought the Rev. Mark Calvert-Rosenberger of Springfield, Tenn. to the congregation. Serving in an interim capacity, Pastor Mark has helped guide the church in creating an identity/vision statement to complement the search for a new pastor.
Dan Summerlin chaired the 11-member search committee that included Betty Woomer, Rona Gary, Byron Cole, John Holcombe, Scot Crosslin, Shawn Fulgham, Larry Kirby, Lorraine Hipp, Jan Webster and Betty Floyd.
First Christian Church is a “church of service working for wholeness in a broken world.” Call the church office at 423-267-4506 for more information. Services are held every Sunday at 10:45 a.m. located at 650 McCallie Avenue. Visitors are always welcome.