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The Rev. Heath Smith has been named the new pastor at Alpha Baptist Church, located at 245 St. John’s Road in Morristown.

Smith, who begins his pastorate today, has been involved in the ministry for 12 years and is excited about the opportunities at Alpha.

“There’s been a tremendous love for missions in our community and the world through the church,” Smith said. “We have very loving and supporting church members. We have a great staff and with great excitement for the new youth pastor that we’ve brought on over the last few months.”

Smith grew up in the North Fork community of Hawkins County. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Clear Creek Bible College of Pineville, Kentucky, he earned his master’s in divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Smith served as pastor of North Fork Baptist in Rogersville and Community Baptist Church in Bulls Gap. He served as lead pastor at McPheeter’s Bend Baptist Church in Church Hill for seven years.

Smith said that Alpha’s Christian Learning Center is a “phenomenal” learning ministry of the church that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The church is currently looking for a children’s pastor who will be hired soon.

Smith’s wife, Kristen, a Greene County native, is a third-grade teacher at Mosheim Elementary School. She received degrees from Walters State Community College and Carson-Newman University. The Smiths have two children, Judah, 3 and Josiah, 1.

“This is a prime location for us,” Smith said. “There is tremendous potential and we have no doubt that God’s going to do a great thing in this community.

“We’re very excited to be here and serve the community.”

Regular services include Sunday School and small groups at 9 a.m. with worship at 10:15 a.m.