Dennis WilloughbyDENNIS WILLOUGHBY was recently called as pastor of Broad River Baptist Church, Blacksburg. A graduate of Marshall University and The Christian Bible College and Seminary, he has been in the ministry for the past 28 years and has served as pastor at two previous churches. Willoughby is retired from military service as a major, having served four years active duty in the U.S. Air Force and another 17 years in the U.S. Army National Guard. He served in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He and his wife Susie have one son and two grandsons.
GAP HILL BAPTIST CHURCH, Six Mile, held commencement services for the Southern Baptist Center for Biblical Studies on Feb. 12. Drs. Boyce and Doris Whitman presented degrees to three seminary students. Albert K. Couch Jr., who attends Gap Hill Baptist Church with his wife Angie, earned an associate of ministry degree; Billy Ray Merck, who serves as pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Liberty with his wife Terreca, earned bachelor of ministry and master of ministry degrees; and Jeremy Merck, who serves as pastor of Red Hill Baptist Church in Pickens with his wife Stephanie, earned a master of ministry degree. Members from each church participated in the special event. Ron Duncan, associational missionary for Pickens-Twelve Mile Association, was commencement speaker.