Tharptown Baptist calls new pastor

Chip Martin is the new pastor of Tharptown Baptist Church, Russellville. He grew up in the church and served as pastor from 2001 to 2007 prior to becoming the church planter for Celebration Church, Montrose, Colorado.

Eleven years later he returned to Alabama to serve as pastor of Barton First Baptist Church, Cherokee. Martin earned bachelor of science degrees from the University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga; a master’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and a master’s of arts in religion from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia.

He and his wife, Melanie, have three children and one grandchild.