"Where there is no vision, the people perish," quotes Reverend C.E. Pipkin, pastor of the Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Trezevant. The passage from Proverbs 29 is a fitting tribute to the church that in a special blend of progress and heritage, fueled with the pure love of God, has grown from the seeds of the original church that was planted 115 years ago to blossom anew in the current age, its fruits attesting not only to the faith of its members but also to that of the community at large.

Almost one-fourth of the church's history has evolved under the leadership of Reverend Pipkin, who was recently honored after 27 years as pastor of the church. From humble origins the church has persevered through fire that took the first meeting place, to the building that was erected 53 years ago, to the additions that have made the church a place of beauty and comfort for its parishioners and visitors. Says Reverend Pipkin, "We're a small congregation but we've done great things because we serve a great God."

In addition to new carpet, new pews and the steeple that is a striking focal point of the building, church holdings extend to the parsonage next door and the adjoining Sam Hurt Sportsplex which includes a playground as well as facilities for outdoor activities such as basketball, softball, volleyball and picnics.

Sam Hurt, in whose honor the sportsplex was named, is one of Reverend Pipkin's greatest mentors. He was, Pipkin says, Trezevant's first black alderman who later became Vice-Mayor of the town. Incredibly, he was also a deacon of the church for 60 years before he passed away three years ago in August. "We really miss him," says Reverend Pipkin, who himself served as an alderman for two terms. The progress that Mr. Hurt saw in his years as a deacon and alderman has been echoed throughout Trezevant's Christian community.

Reverend Pipkin credits former First Baptist pastor, J.G. Wise with sowing the seeds of unity that the community enjoys today. The pastors of other local churches had been alternating in the honor and responsibility of delivering the baccalaureate address on the evenings preceding high school graduation ceremonies in the town, Pipkin explains. One year, he says, Reverend Wise suggested, "Well, Brother Pipkin is down there..." The visionary influence of Pastor Wise that made Reverend Pipkin the first black speaker at the high school baccalaureate service progressed into more far-reaching advancements for the community that had always enjoyed relatively sound relationships between the races. Soon, the entire Christian community began coming together in fellowship during Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Currently, Easter Sunrise services take place at Mount Ararat while Thanksgiving services are alternated between the Presbyterian and First United Methodist Churches. Christmas services are held at the First Baptist Church. "It has brought the congregations and the community closer," says Reverend Pipkin. "We have a great time of fellowship during the service and afterward."

His aspirations for the future of the church have progressed along a continuum that has included a successful radio ministry, the "Sound of the Trumpet" broadcast, for the past ten years in which morning services are delivered to listeners within a 100 mile radius though FM 101, WVHR in Huntingdon from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The church has a children's choir, a fellowship choir, a male chorus and a gospel choir and worships with instruments that include an organ, a piano, drums and tambourines. An annual concert takes place the 4th Sunday in September each year, featuring choirs, quartets and other gospel favorites.

Reverend Pipkin is assisted in his endeavors by three Associate Ministers: Brother Richard Adkisson of Milan, who works as an engineer for the State of Tennessee; Minister Lamont Beasley of McKenzie, and Evangelist Dorothy Thomas, originally from Trezevant, who now resides in Jackson.






 

"We've been praying and looking forward to expanding our ministry," Pipkin says. "We're a church that believes in helping people and spreading the word of God." During the last two months, the church has begun a new endeavor with the "Hour of Power" service held every second Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. The non-traditional service of worship and prayer reflects the church's belief in "the gifts of the Spirit," says Reverend Pipkin, "We let God's Spirit have Its way." According to I Corinthians, the gifts of the Spirit are the message of wisdom, the message of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues, gifts of healing, the ability to help others, gifts of administration, and teaching.

Perhaps greatest among the advancements the church has made in their facilities over the years is the new family life center that was dedicated in November 2000; a modern facility that includes a gymnasium, a kitchen, two portable stages and enough space for 300 worshippers to gather indoors. The huge, sparkling kitchen in the center sports two cook stoves and plenty of cabinet and counter space, which Reverend Pipkin says is a source of particular enjoyment to the ladies of the congregation. "I'd always said, 'One of these days we're going to have a place where we can all sit down and eat together,'" he recalled of the days when groups of people had to gather in different rooms of the church rather than as a whole. The new center has made the togetherness of the congregation a reality, and more: "We have had a great vision for that to be used for the community as well as for our church," the Reverend says.

The most recent community mission involving the new family life center was this summer's Vacation Bible School in which black, white and Hispanic children of all ages gathered to learn more about Jesus. "It was very encouraging," says Reverend Pipkin.

In another community endeavor, the Reverend Malcolm Norton, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Trezevant and Reverend Pipkin began a pulpit exchange program several months ago in which the two pastors traded places for a Sunday, each delivering his Sunday sermon to the others' congregation.

"I'm very proud to be a citizen of Carroll County and Trezevant; a lot of strides have been made," he says. "If we are to come together, it will be by the church. God wants us to look at people as He looks at people, not by color of their skin but by the content of their character - and every man has a soul and needs to be saved. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for all mankind regardless of race, creed and color and we believe that He wants us to minister to the total man - mind, body and soul. It has always been my desire as a pastor to see people's lives changed. I believe God blessed us to use the power of prayer to minister to people. We've seen God do some miraculous things through faith and his power."

Pastor Pipkin works at Trees and Trends in Jackson's Hamilton Hills Shopping Center (formerly known as the Silk Tree Factory) where he has been employed for ten years.

He has three children: Carrissa Lynn Pipkin resides in Humboldt where she works at Wilson's in Humboldt and is a graduate of Lambuth College with a degree in Criminal Justice. India Nicole Pipkin is a 2000 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin and was recently selected to represent the Victor's International Modeling Agency in New Orleans, Louisiana. Chris Pipkin, Jr. is the Minister of Music of the New Abundant Life Church in Humboldt and works as a supervisor at the Dura Corporation. Chris and his wife, Ebony, have three children, ages 7, 5, and 4.