Milligan recognizes local servant leaders

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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (April 17, 2012) — Milligan College recognized 10 local leaders today who have demonstrated servant leadership in their careers and community at the college’s annual Leaders in Christian Service program in Milligan’s Mary B. Martin Auditorium in Seeger Memorial Chapel.

“The purpose of this program is to provide examples of people who are doing an outstanding job of integrating their faith with their profession,” said Milligan President Bill Greer. “We see in these individuals wonderful examples of what servant leadership is all about, and what it can look like on a daily basis in a variety of professions.”

Greg Marksberry, senior pastor at First Church of Christ in Burlington, Ky., served as this year’s keynote speaker.

Since 2009, Marksberry has served as senior pastor at First Church of Christ. First Church is a dynamic congregation of 2,500 people, located in the Cincinnati metro area.

Prior to his role at First Church, Marksberry served for 11 years as the founding pastor of Heritage Christian Church in Peachtree City, Ga. During his ministry at Heritage the congregation grew from 77 to more than 1,000 individuals.

A 1988 graduate of Cincinnati Christian University, Marksberry also served his alma mater as director of admissions and has held several other ministries in Kentucky and Indiana.

The 2012 Leaders in Christian Service honorees include:

Dr. Curt E. Barnes, of Johnson City, is an orthopaedic surgeon with Appalachian Orthopaedic Associates. He attends Westminster Presbyterian Church. June M. Barrett, of Gray, is the founder of the Crumley House. She attends Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. Dr. Patricia J. Bonner, of Johnson City, is a former Milligan professor. She attends First Christian Church in Johnson City. Jackie Charles, of Rogersville, is the vice president of First Community Bank. She attends Hasson Street Christian Church. Robert H. Feagins, of Kingsport, is the executive director of communications and development at the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce. He attends Mafair United Methodist Church. Elizabeth Hughes, of Unicoi, retired from her position as executive assistant to the president at Mountain States Health Alliance. She attends Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. Jim Moore, of Kingsport, is the vice president of facilities at Wellmont Health Systems. He attends Celebration Church. Fred Simerly, of Johnson City, retired from his position as regional operations manager at Coca Cola USA. He attends First Christian Church in Johnson City. Bonnie White, of Elizabethton, is the homeless program educator and coordinator with Johnson City Schools. She attends Central Church of Christ in Johnson City. Robert Lynn White, of Johnson City, is the chief public relations officer with Johnson City Power Board. He attends Friendship Baptist Church.

For more information, contact the Institute for Servant Leadership at Milligan College at 423.461.8316.

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