Jackson Heights Church of Christ Announces Hiring of New Evangelist
The Jackson Heights church of Christ in Florence, Alabama announced that as of May 1st, 2010, Barry Gilreath, Jr. would assume the responsibilities as their new evangelist. Tim Pannell, an elder at Jackson Heights, states,
On behalf of the Jackson Heights eldership, we are grateful and very pleased Brother Gilreath has accepted the position of evangelist. Barry was selected from a large field of strong, doctrinally sound men, and his preaching talents have already started yielding a positive gospel influence at Jackson Heights.
Barry Gilreath, Jr. is a graduate of two preacher training schools, the East Tennessee School of Preaching and the Memphis School of Preaching. He also holds a Bachelor degree in Religion from Amridge University in Montgomery and a Masters Degree with a major in counseling from Harding Graduate School in Memphis. He and his family have moved to Florence from Dalton, Georgia where he had worked with the Highland church of Christ in Dalton for the past 12 ½ years. He has also worked with congregations in Tennessee and Mississippi.
Ronnie Pannell, a Jackson Heights member and a long time coach at Mars Hill Bible School in Florence, remarks,
I believe Barry is going to be an outstanding minister for Jackson Heights. Just like the men who have held this position before him, Barry loves the Lord and is doing all he can to serve Him. For a long time, the Jackson Heights' ministers have stood for the Truth, been strong in their convictions and have loved the congregation and the people of the Shoals area. I think Barry will follow that long line of Godly servants and help Jackson Heights to grow spiritually and numerically.
In addition to his new role at Jackson Heights, Barry continues to hosts a TV program “Fabric of Family” for the Gospel Broadcasting Network (www.gbntv.org) that airs on many local cable companies across the country. His program is periodically seen as a special segment on “Good News Today” which airs each Sunday mornings at 7:00 AM via Dishnet on channel 9407 and Direct TV on channel 325.
Barry and his wife Jodi have been married for over 25 years. They have two sons. Barry Gilreath, III preaches for the Emerald Coast congregation in Panama City Beach, Florida. Barry and Jodi's other son preaches for the Highland church of Christ in Dalton, Georgia. Both sons are married and each has a daughter. Barry and Jodi also have two daughters, Hannah and Holly who are enrolled at Mars Hill Bible School. They are very excited about the future possibilities of the Jackson Heights congregation. Barry Gilreath, Jr. remarks,
Jodi and I were honored that the Jackson Heights family invited us to join them in their efforts to spread the Gospel of Christ in this community. Jackson Heights has a long and rich history and we want to do our part to continue to grow the Lord’s church in the Lord’s way. I truly believe that people still want to hear the old Jerusalem Gospel delivered with passion and enthusiasm. That is the kind of preaching that I grew up hearing as a youngster and that is the kind of preaching that I want to provide from the pulpit of Jackson Heights.
Steve Shelton, a local businessman and deacon at Jackson Heights, comments,
As a member of the Jackson heights congregation, I am excited about Barry’s arrival. He is standing before us each week with an open Bible and an open heart, encouraging us to live lives that glorify God and serve the needs of this community – for Jesus’ sake. Barry’s sermons bring the simple Bible truth along with fresh illustrations and application.
The Jackson Heights congregation invites all to visit with them and hear the Gospel preached by their new evangelist.
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