Dr Sam & Dianna Murray
Senior Pastor
Dr Sam Murray has preached and pastored for congregations in FL, GA, SC,
NC, SD, KY, HI, VA, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and TN. He accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at 12 years old and was called to preach at 14 years old.
Sam was saved and later called to preach at Eden Baptist Church, near Brooksville, FL. It was there that Sam enlisted in the Army in 1980. Sam Murray’s military career spanned over 28 years of active service in two different branches of the Army, Infantry and the Chaplain Corps. His arc of service began as a Private First Class, Chaplain Assistant. Sam was soon promoted to Non-Commissioned Officer ranks and then pursued Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer. Some years later, Captain Murray left active duty to pursue ministerial education and the credentials necessary to be a military Chaplain. Upon seminary graduation, he returned to active duty as an Army Chaplain. After returning from his second combat deployment, Chaplain Murray’s mother requested that he retire and move to Church Hill, Tennessee to be available as a help to his parents. Chaplain Murray retired from the Army in January 2009.
Sam has earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in Expository Preaching and a Graduate Certificate in Military Resilience from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Chaplain Murray holds a Master of Divinity degree from Bob Jones University in Greeneville, South Carolina; a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia
Sam and Dianna Murray currently reside in Church Hill, Tennessee. Dianna is the former Dianna Lee Fergerson. She and Sam married in 1979. The Murrays have two sons who are both Army combat veterans, and six grandchildren.
I Samuel 12:24 “Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you."
NC, SD, KY, HI, VA, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and TN. He accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at 12 years old and was called to preach at 14 years old.
Sam was saved and later called to preach at Eden Baptist Church, near Brooksville, FL. It was there that Sam enlisted in the Army in 1980. Sam Murray’s military career spanned over 28 years of active service in two different branches of the Army, Infantry and the Chaplain Corps. His arc of service began as a Private First Class, Chaplain Assistant. Sam was soon promoted to Non-Commissioned Officer ranks and then pursued Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer. Some years later, Captain Murray left active duty to pursue ministerial education and the credentials necessary to be a military Chaplain. Upon seminary graduation, he returned to active duty as an Army Chaplain. After returning from his second combat deployment, Chaplain Murray’s mother requested that he retire and move to Church Hill, Tennessee to be available as a help to his parents. Chaplain Murray retired from the Army in January 2009.
Sam has earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in Expository Preaching and a Graduate Certificate in Military Resilience from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Chaplain Murray holds a Master of Divinity degree from Bob Jones University in Greeneville, South Carolina; a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia
Sam and Dianna Murray currently reside in Church Hill, Tennessee. Dianna is the former Dianna Lee Fergerson. She and Sam married in 1979. The Murrays have two sons who are both Army combat veterans, and six grandchildren.
I Samuel 12:24 “Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you."
Rev. Jim & Linda Perkins Assistant Pastor.
Pastor Jim was born again July 6, 1997, at
Emaus Baptist Church in Kingsport TN.
It was at Bethel Colony of Mercy, in February
of 2018 that Pastor Jim answered his call to preach.
From the time of his calling, he began serving at
Freedom Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
in Kingsport TN. He is currently the Assistant
Pastor of our congregation. Pastor Jim has also
served for many years as the Director of the food
pantry ministry, in sound and video production,
and as a musician> He has also performed pulpit
service here and in other churches and ministries.
Pastor Jim has completed 2 years of Bible college
and acquired an Associate’s Degree in Ministry.
Jim and Linda were married in 1995 and have a
daughter, Sheila Myers.
Linda has served as a Sunday School teacher and
youth leader. Linda has been in the medical profession
the last 25 years.
Pastor Jim believes that all have sinned and come
short of the glory of God and that salvation is by grace
through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Emaus Baptist Church in Kingsport TN.
It was at Bethel Colony of Mercy, in February
of 2018 that Pastor Jim answered his call to preach.
From the time of his calling, he began serving at
Freedom Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
in Kingsport TN. He is currently the Assistant
Pastor of our congregation. Pastor Jim has also
served for many years as the Director of the food
pantry ministry, in sound and video production,
and as a musician> He has also performed pulpit
service here and in other churches and ministries.
Pastor Jim has completed 2 years of Bible college
and acquired an Associate’s Degree in Ministry.
Jim and Linda were married in 1995 and have a
daughter, Sheila Myers.
Linda has served as a Sunday School teacher and
youth leader. Linda has been in the medical profession
the last 25 years.
Pastor Jim believes that all have sinned and come
short of the glory of God and that salvation is by grace
through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Kendall & Ruth Etta (Not Pictured) Cochran
Deacon
Deacon and Bass Singer
Dennis & Susan Helton
Deacon
Deacon, Song Leader and Susan is our secretary and piano player.