MEET THE PASTOR

 
A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. - Proverbs 22:1

Pastor Lester Morelock grew up in Fall Branch, Tennessee.  He was saved at Chimney Top Baptist Church at the age of 18. Lester married his wife Khris in 1991 and together they have two boys, Aubrey and Avery. Lester worked at Eastman Chemical Company of Kingsport in the IT department for 15 years before he began his first full-time pastorate position of Bays Mountain Baptist Church in 2000.

Dr. Morelock received his associate degree from Walters State Community College in 1994 in computer science. He then attended Boyce College of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He went on to earn his masters degree in 2005 at Andersonville Theological Seminary and still furthered his education to earn his THD in Theology in May 2008. Currently Lester is working on his doctorate in biblical counseling. Khris Morelock is currently finishing her master's degree at East Tennessee State University in teaching and education.

Lester and his family came to New Victory Baptist Church in April 2003. Since then, Lester has had the privilege of overseeing more than 200 individuals baptized and 150 new membership additions to New Victory. He also leads a variety of counseling sessions for members of the church and the community. Dr. Morelock was named the 2001 small church pastor of the year by the Tennessee Baptist Convention. He is currently serving on the Rural Church Affinity Team with TBC.

Lester loves the Lord and this church. He truly enjoys seeing all of God’s work through the people at New Victory and cannot wait to see what the Lord has planned for the future!

FROM THE PASTOR

There are lots of reasons people don't come to church.

One of the biggest is also one of the saddest. There are many people who don't attend church now because they used to come to church-until they were hurt by something that happened or someone in the congregation.

Maybe you're one of those people. Maybe you came to church faithfully. Maybe you even came to this church. But something bad happened. Perhaps it was a cross word spoken unintentionally. Or perhaps you became caught up in an emotional disagreement, and it seems too painful to stay.

My friend, you're not alone. Lots of people find themselves just where you are. The reason is simple - churches are buildings filled with imperfect people. Every single person who attends New Victory Baptist Church, including this pastor, has very human flaws.

It's all too easy to think church is no different than anyplace else in the world. But there is one very big difference. We don't come to church to find fulfillment in other people. We come to church to worship and praise God, our Heavenly Father who sees all our human failings and forgives us anyway - if we only ask.

This doesn't mean you won't find friendship and love in church. New Victory Baptist Church is filled with people who are eager to welcome you and your family with open arms. But don't count on us to fill you with peace and love - count on the God who made you and loves you unconditionally.



Lester Morelock