Pastor & Deacons
Melvin T. Covington, Jr., Pastor
Welcome to our church’s website and being that you have clicked on Pastor’s Bio let me satisfy your curiosity. I am a follower of Jesus Christ named Melvin T. Covington Jr. who was born in 1966, saved in 1978, graduated in 1984 and married my high school sweetheart that same year. In 1986 we were blessed with our daughter who is married and brought us a grandson in 2012. I lost my wife in 2022 to illness. Now with a broken heart I continue, as a widower, what the Lord started with us as a couple.
Out of high school I worked in the HVAC field for two years then transitioned into a manufacturing plant. Over 17 years promotions brought me to the position of Operations Manager. Yet as I stepped into the OM role I was also hearing a call from God to Christian ministry, which I first resisted only to surrender to a year later. Once the call was accepted I began to take seminary studies by extension while continuing in my manufacturing career.
In 2005 I transitioned to another company in the same industry and was positioned as a VP. Calvary Baptist called me to supply preach in 2007, then to be their Interim Pastor in March of 2008, I was ordained by my home church in August of 2008 and at the end of that month asked to become Calvary’s full time pastor. My wife and I accepted God’s call with vocational ministry beginning January of 2009. I tell people that I am chasing after Jesus, just in front of people.
I have had a career, now I live my calling. A journey of less of me and more of Him as my series of life verses show, Gen.5:24, Gal.2:20 and currently Phil.1:21. I serve the Lord for my name to be forgotten that the world might know Christ.
“Not the nicest pastor”, is the way I refer to myself, since the Word of God can be hard to hear but it is my calling to share it. Peter said, Jesus had the words of eternal life and the Lord’s words have and still do surely direct my living. So I know nothing better than sharing God’s Word with others. Thanks to the Holy Spirit my sharing is tempered with love.
When it comes to ministry mindedness I lean far more to “incarnational” meaning, “to be transformed into Christ like living that others may see Jesus through us”. My heart for the Word of God, transformation and incarnational ministry has directed me to focus on disciple-making, which is, after all, Jesus’ Great Commission to His followers.
If you still have questions feel free to email me. Until we meet know that the Lord loves you, wants you to know His love and is worthy of all the love you can give to Him.
Pastor Mel
Deacons
Faithful Servants for the Kingdom
Deacons are expected to be servants according to scripture.
Our Deacons make every effort to serve the congregation and community in a manner that aligns with scripture and pleases God.
William B. Griffith (Bill)
I am a native of Kingsport, TN and was moved here by the military in 1999. I retired from service in 2003 a 32 year veteran. I am accompanied by my wife Delores and we have three married sons and three grandchildren. They all reside in east TN. I was baptized a Baptist in 1981 from a Methodist background. We came to Calvary in 2000.
In 2004 I was ordained a deacon and have been active since. I could have taken retirement and lived comfortably in TN and not moved, but God had other plans and we
followed His call. Since that time He has stirred us to greater service than I ever thought possible and this church and community have become our home. It is my honor to serve this church as the Lord leads.
Doris Walters
I grew up in King George county and was baptized at Montague Baptist Church at the age of 7. Even at that young age I realized I wanted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My Christian walk was influenced by the love and support of 3 women in my life. Their lives were a witness of their love for Jesus. My mom taught me endurance and faithfulness; my grandmother demonstrated the importance of service by her active role in WMU and other ministries; my Aunt Bessie taught me to trust in Jesus no matter what difficulties I would face.
I married Ronnie Walters in 1972 -- 51 years. We have lived in B.G. our entire married life. God has blessed us with one daughter, Kim Mitkowski. Wanting to raise our daughter in a local church, we both transferred our membership to Calvary in 1980. Kim lives in Bowling Green with her husband Steve, and my granddaughter, Raegan.
One of my greatest joys at Calvary has been the privilege of serving others in various ways. I love being part of the worship team and worshipping God through music. It has been a great privilege teaching children in Sunday School and Children’s church. There are few things more beautiful than seeing those I have taught grow up to serve God in their own way.
I have tried to serve as Jesus served (Mark 10:45) and it was an honor to be ordained as deacon in 2009. In the role of deacon I pray I have been a good example and an encouragement to others by showing thoughtfulness, taking an interest in them, and focusing on their needs.
Thomas J Wright (Tommy)
I am a life long member Calvary Baptist. I was baptized at Calvary 1967 and ordained as a Deacon here on August 15, 2004. I serve as a member of the Building & Grounds Team and was elected Trustee in 2000.
We hope that you will join us!