The Herald Newspapers has been writing a series of feature articles entitled “Our Neighbors”. These “neighbors” are folks that you might rub elbows with every day that have interesting jobs. Today we are presenting Dr. Bruce Yates, Senior Pastor of Seymour First Baptist Church (SFBC).
Raised in Delano, a small town in East Tennessee, by Christian parents, Dr. Yates surrendered to the Gospel of Jesus Christ at an early age. He felt a sense of calling as a teenager but had other plans. He said, “I had wonderful Christian parents, pastors and other Christian influences as a young person, for whom I am very thankful.”
It was in his twenties that Yates responded to the call to become a minister of the gospel. He attended Wesleyan College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky to prepare.
Today, Dr. Yates has been a pastor for 26 years. He and his wife, Wanda, are the parents of three married children, two sons and a daughter.
Every day is different, Yates admits, there is no such thing as a “normal” day. He spends much time studying the scriptures to prepare for sermons. His days are packed with counseling and visiting hospitals and nursing homes.
Dr. Yates confessed that the favorite part of his job is preparing and proclaiming God’s good news of salvation. He says the most important thing that he teaches is that Jesus Christ is the only Way of Salvation. The pastor stresses it is through Him that you can be forgiven for your sins and be in a personal relation with God.
He said that his least favorite area is that of administration with all the deadlines.
Three other pastors at Seymour First Baptist join him: Scott Williams, Minister of Music; Mark MacKay, Minister of Students; Ken Lovelace, Minister of Education and Recreation; and Ed Smith, Minister of Senior Adults.
According to Dr. Yates, the primary purpose of the church is as a body of believers to display the love of God to the world through preaching and then through the ministry of service to our neighbors. He desires that Seymour First Baptist be known for loving children. They have many activities available for kids, from Awana Clubs to recreational programs. At present the church has 270 kids involved in their basketball program. Most of them do not attend church at SFBC, but that is not a problem.
The staff would like everyone to feel welcome to use any part of their facilities. There is a walking track outside, or folks are welcome to walk in the inside gym during office hours. Dr. Yates said, “We would like to be seen as a community church where everyone is welcome!”
Seymour First Baptist Church is located at11621 Chapman Highway in Seymour. Sunday morning worship begins at 10:15 a.m. For further information telephone: 865-577-1954.

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