Faith Fellowship Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Dr. Jeff Sledge is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee but has lived in various metropolitan cities across the south including Tampa, Atlanta, Memphis, and New Orleans. He earned his Doctorate and Master of Divinity degrees from Memphis Theological Seminary of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His undergraduate studies were focused in the areas of individual and family counseling, and his theological training was centered in the areas of theology and pastoral care.

Over the course of his ministry Jeff has served various congregations which include the Red Bank CPC where he served for approximately nine years immediately prior to assuming the pastorate of Faith Fellowship in March of 2008. In addition to congregational service he worked for the Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Stewardship, has held presbytery board and committee positions including Christian education, judicial concerns, and as chair of the Committee on the Ministry for TN/GA presbytery. He currently serves as the vice-chair of the denomination’s Board of Missions.

When describing his faith journey to those who ask, Jeff refers to himself as a “Metho-Bapt-Erian.” Meaning, he was born Southern Baptist, spent his youth and young adulthood in the United Methodist Church tradition, and ultimately chose to serve in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church because of its sound theology, doctrine, church government, and strong focus on mission and outreach.

Why the move to Faith Fellowship CPC? Someone asked, “Why do you want to come here and meet with us in a school cafeteria and put up and take down chairs every Sunday until we can build a building some time in the future?”  Jeff’s reply, “For months I had been hearing about an excited, committed, and loving group of Christians whose stated purpose, above all things, is to serve God and neighbor. What I found was a loving fellowship of believers who are committed to finding and filling their place in the work of God’s Kingdom, and who want to reach out to the lost, the broken, and those in need. That’s a Church to be a part of!”

 

Dr. Sledge is married to Angie Hatcher Sledge.

Karen Daves, Choir Director

     Karen grew up in the Farragut community and graduated from Farragut High School. She attended UT Chattanooga and graduated in 1978 with a BS in Social Work and Music. She received her Master of Education Degree in 1982. During this time, she became certified in the Crisis Intervention program at UTC.

     Karen is married to Ron Daves and they have one teenaged son, Chip, who has just begun his freshman year in college. Her two daughters, Jenny and Kirsten, are both deceased. She has directed and/or accompanied several choirs in this area over the past 20 years and also teaches music.

      “It is my desire to lead and grow a choir and to select the appropriate music for the particular voices to be singing it. I believe that if the song to be sung does not cause the listener to have a lump in his throat, tears in his eyes, or chill bumps on his arms, or simply a need to say YES!, then there is no point in doing it. I AM PASSIONATE about the music and the necessity for it to “move” a person, so that the doors of the heart are opened, the heart softened, so God will come in and be heard.”

 

Lori Colwick, Financial Secretary

     Lori has a BS degree in Accounting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  She worked as a Senior Accountant at Covenant Transport in Chattanooga, TN for 3 years.  After moving to Knoxville, she served as the Assistant Controller for First Southern Mortgage.

     Lori is married to Bob Colwick and became a stay-at-home mom after the birth of their son, Bobby.  Besides being a mother and the church’s Financial Secretary, Lori is also a professional cake decorator.

     Joy was born Jan. 9  in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  She married in 1948 and moved to Michigan in 1951.  She was widowed Aug 1967 when her husband was killed in a cave-in accident. She was left with 4 boys, Gary 17, Denny 15, Glen 6, and Tim 3.  She met Bob Bridges in April 1969 and married July 1969. They  have one son, Michael born 1971.   Their oldest son, Gary died suddenly in 2003 of a brain tumor. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. They  have 10 grandchildren and 4 great grand children.  She and Bob have been foster parents to 52 newborns, 1 toddler and 1 teenager for 10 yrs with Catholic Social Services, in MI , plus had a day care in our home for 20 yrs. We moved to Knoxville, TN. 1980.

     Joy has worked in 3 churches as Head Nursery Attendant for over 50 yrs. “I am honored to be with the nursery at Faith Fellowship. The Lord has blessed me with a great family and many little ones.”

 

 

Joy Bridges, Sunday Morning Nursery Care Giver

Dr. Jeff Sledge, Minister