Immanuel Baptist Church Staff
All members of Immanuel Baptist Church are ministers. Our caring and professional staff is listed below. Call (615) 297-5356 (extensions below) to speak to a member of the staff. Click on a staff member's name for biographical information and a photo.

Church Administrator
Linda Fields

Linda Fields joined Immanuel's staff team in 1987.

Linda is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing (B.S.N.) and the Officer Candidate School of the United States Navy in Newport, R.I. An R.N., Linda worked in healthcare for many years, at one point serving as Director of Nursing at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.?? She also worked as a bookkeeper and writer for various denominational organizations before coming to Immanuel. Linda loves the diversity of duties required by her job and finds great energy from ministering within a church family that is passionate about serving others.

Linda is married to Tim. Together they have three grown daughters and four grandchildren. Linda spends as much time as possible with her grandchildren and family. She also enjoys copy-editing books, boating on the Cumberland, and taking motorcycle rides with Tim on the Natchez Trace.

back to list
................................................................................................................................

Pastor Emeritus
David George

David George served as Pastor of Immanuel from 1976 until 2006. Upon retirement he was named Pastor Emeritus.

Born in Louisiana, David grew up in Texas. He earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard Payne University and the Bachelor of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served churches in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas before coming to Immanuel.

David is married to Peggy, who retired from teaching kindergarten at Julia Green Elementary School. They have three children, Jennifer, Andrew, and Michael, and three grandchildren. David and Peggy have enjoyed spending a month in Oxford, England, on two occasions in recent years. They took a cruise to Alaska following retirement and look forward to more travel.

Since retiring from Immanuel, David has served as interim pastor of the Signal Mountain Baptist Church in Chattanooga. He also serves on the boards of directors of the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee and the Developmental Learning Center. He enjoys reading and collects books, especially interesting editions of The Pilgrim's Progress.

back to list
................................................................................................................................

Director / Parents' Day Out
Jeanette Massey

Jeanette Massey joined the Immanuel staff in January 2009 as Director of Parents' Day Out.  She enjoys ministering to the whole family through her work with the early childhood weekday program.
 
The daughter of home missionaries to Metropolitan New York, Jeanette grew up in suburban New Jersey until she came South to attend college.  She graduated from Belmont University in 1991 and spent time working in State Government before feeling called to children's ministry.

Jeanette has taught and directed programs in a church setting, at the YMCA, and in an international kindergarten in Germany.  

She met her husband, Russell, at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he was completing his Master of Arts in Missiology.  The Masseys lived in Queens, New York, for two years after seminary doing bi-vocational missions.

When Jeanette is not at Parents' Day Out, she is caring for her daughter, Erica, born August 2008.  Jeanette also enjoys cooking and bargain-hunting.

back to list
.......................................................................................................................

Debbie Maxwell is Immanuel's Editor and Financial Secretary. She is also a committed Immanuel volunteer, serving annually on the steering committee for the Boulevard Bolt.

A native of Paducah, Kentucky, Debbie earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. She was a copywriter for the Baptist Sunday School Board and director of Immanuel's Parents' Day Out program before starting in her current role in 1986.

Debbie and her spouse, Larry, are parents to Todd (married to Holly), Adam, and Emily (married to Brandon) and grandparents to Claire, Ellie and Campbell. Debbie loves being a grandmother ("one of the few things in life that can't be overrated!").

Debbie and Larry are active Immanuel members. Whether she's working in the office, singing in the choir, playing handbells, organizing for the BOLT, or teaching four and five-year olds Sunday School, Debbie loves the family atmosphere she's found at Immanuel.

Outside of Immanuel, she enjoys golf, gardening, exercise, playing with her two dogs and being at the beach!

back to list
................................................................................................................................

Steven H. Meriwether became the pastor of Immanuel on May 1, 2008. Steven comes to Immanuel from St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana, where he has served as senior pastor for the past 15 years.

A native Nashvillian, Steven grew up in the farming community of Una near Percy Priest Lake. After graduating from McGavock High School, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. In 1985 he received his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

Prior to serving at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church, Steven served at Knollwood Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, first as minister for youth and families, then as associate pastor. During his years in seminary he also served at the Hiseville Baptist Church, Hiseville, Kentucky, and the Boulevard Baptist Church of Anderson, South Carolina.

Steven is a mission-minded pastor, having led his St. Charles Avenue congregation through the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Shortly before leaving New Orleans he led a group of volunteers in building a house for a Katrina survivor in the 9th Ward. In his spare time he enjoys farming, gardening and jogging.

back to list
................................................................................................................................

Vietnamese Pastor
Nathan Nguyen

Pastor Nathan Nguyen was born and raised in Vietnam, and came to the United States in summer of 1992. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology in 2002 from the University of Memphis, and a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2007.

Before being called to be the pastor of the Vietnamese Baptist Mission of Immanuel Baptist Church, Pastor Nguyen worked for Multi-National Ministry as an Assistant Director. Pastor Nguyen's stated passion is "to serve the Lord, and evangelize sinners."

Nathan is married to Bang-Tuyen (Tammy), and they have two children, Jesse and April. Pastor Nguyen enjoys reading and fixing household items. But before you call Nathan to fix things around your house, it would be a good idea to check with Tammy first! (editor's commentary, not the Pastor's.)

back to list
................................................................................................................................

Marilyn Shadinger serves Immanuel as Music Associate. She has been actively involved in Immanuel's music program for many years, officially joining the staff team in her current role in 2004. As a long-time member, Marilyn finds great value in the intentionality, questioning intellect, and creativity of Immanuel's people.

Marilyn grew up in Rogersville, Tennessee. She completed a Bachelor of Music degree at Carson-Newman College and a Master of Music at Florida State University. In addition to her work at Immanuel, Marilyn has had a successful career as an educator, teaching music at schools in Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee. At present, she is a part-time music instructor in
the School of Music at Belmont University.

Marilyn and her husband, Dr. Richard Shadinger, are the parents of Dr. Sylvia Bridges (married to Ben) and James Shadinger (married to Cameron). They are also proud to be Wilson Bridges' grandparents.

When not directing or teaching, Marilyn can be found collecting (she loves china), working crossword and Sodoku puzzles, or planning her next trip.

back to list
................................................................................................................................

Richard Shadinger has been a member of Immanuel for 34 years and organist since 1982.

He is a native of Carrollton, Georgia. He earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Shorter College and the M.C.M. and D.M.A. degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary School of Church Music. He has served as Professor of Music in the School of Music of Belmont University for the past 34 years.

An accomplished musician in the Nashville community, he is often heard in concerts playing organ, piano, and harpsichord, and also plays Belmont's 43-bell carillon. He is an active member of Nashville's chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

At Immanuel, Richard has served as a deacon, deacon chair, pre-school Sunday School teacher, committee member, and coordinator of the Immanuel Book Club. He especially appreciates the supportive family of faith and the meaningful worship tradition he has experienced at Immanuel.

Richard is married to Marilyn and together they have two married children. Sylvia and her husband, Ben Bridges, live in Macon, Georgia with their son Wilson. James and Cameron Shadinger live nearby in Nashville.

Richard enjoys hiking, travel, and reading /collecting books. He has a special interest in congregational song and his collection of hymnals numbers more than 2000 items.

back to list
................................................................................................................................

Associate Pastor
Tambi Swiney

Tambi Swiney began her ministry as associate pastor of Immanuel in November 2009.

Although she has resided in all three grand divisions of the state, Tambi has lived the majority of her days in the Nashville area. A graduate of Franklin High School, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. After spending years as an active layperson and community volunteer, Tambi responded to God's call and began commuting to attend Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, where she earned a Master of Divinity degree in May 2004.

As a freelance writer, Tambi has authored over 200 Bible studies, commentaries, devotions, and articles. Her credits include: Student Life, Life Bible Study, Baptists Today, Missions Mosaic, Lectionary Homiletics, Living with Teenagers, and d365. She has also served as a Leadership Development Specialist for Tennessee Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Tambi met her husband, Paul, at the University of Tennessee, and now their son, Chaney, is following in his parents' footsteps as a UTK student. Tambi's favorite memories are drawn from their family vacations - trips that often included stops at major and minor league baseball parks. Each fall she enters photographs and baked goods in the Tennessee State Fair.

back to list

..................................................................................................................................

Beryl Vick, Jr.
Minister of Music Emeritus

Beryl Vick, Jr. served Immanuel as Minister of Music from 1968 until 2002. Upon retirement, Beryl was named Minister of Music Emeritus.

A native of Oklahoma and Texas, Beryl earned a Bachelor of Music from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Sacred Music from New Orleans Seminary. Prior to his tenure at Immanuel, Beryl served churches in Florida and Alabama. Throughout his career, Beryl has served as an adjunct professor, denominational leader, and prolific composer of church music, with compositions and arrangements published by numerous companies.

Beryl is married to Pat. They have two grown children, Mark and Jennifer, and love to spend time with their grandkids. Beryl and Pat remain active in leadership at Immanuel. After many years, their love for IBC endures. Beryl directs the Immanuel Brass Ensemble. Beryl and Pat coordinate Immanuel's Senior Adult Ministry. The two are even planning to travel to New York this summer on Immanuel's intergenerational mission trip.

Beryl is also doing his best to enjoy "retirement," filling it up with regular tee times, good books, fishing, and Vanderbilt Commodore home games.

back to list
................................................................................................................................

Jerry Warren has served Immanuel since 2002, when he began work as Immanuel's interim Minister of Music. He transitioned to his permanent role in 2003.

An Alabama native, Jerry earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Howard College (now Samford University). Following graduation, he studied at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, earning the Master of Church Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees.

In addition to music ministry at churches in Georgia and Alabama, Jerry has had an accomplished career in higher education. After teaching at Shorter College in Georgia, Jerry moved to Belmont University in 1969, where he remained as Professor in the School of Music until his retirement in 2007. Shortly after retirement, Jerry was appointed Interim Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association. With this important national work now complete, Jerry looks forward to having more time for family, reading, and golf.

Jerry has been married to Dorothy Floyd Warren for 52 years. Jerry and Dot have three children, five grandchildren, and even a couple granddogs.

Jerry is grateful to be a part of a church with warm fellowship and especially appreciates the choir, which unites each week to lead in worship.

back to list
................................................................................................................................

Youth Pastor
Amanda Willhite

Amanda O. Willhite joined Immanuel's staff on March 1, 2010 as Youth Pastor. She finds passion in providing an active and thought-provoking ministry to the young people of the church.

Amanda grew up in Gallatin, TN where she graduated from Gallatin Senior High School in 1997. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and psychology at Carson-Newman College in 2001. She continued her theological education at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC and graduated with the Master of Divinity degree in 2006. Being a native middle Tennessean, Amanda was eager to return to the area upon completion of her academic pursuits.

Prior to joining the Immanuel staff, Amanda served in Nashville's nonprofit community at Second Harvest Food Bank where she continued to learn everyday how the theology of the classroom can be applied in real and urgent ways. She also served as youth intern at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC during her summers at Wake Forest, and it was there that she was challenged to consider vocational ministry while finding great delight in joining the students on their journeys.

Amanda met her husband, Evan, at Carson-Newman, and they are the proud parents of
one-year-old Grayson, better known as "Sonny." Amanda enjoys strolling in the park with Sonny, quality family time, a good book, and a strong cup of coffee. She is thrilled to join the ministerial community and looks forward to continuing Immanuel's rich tradition of ministry to students.

back to list
............................................................................................................................