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.

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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 and has worked in Parents Day Out at Immanuel. 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.

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Nancy Griswold is Immanuel’s secretary.  She has been a familiar welcoming presence in Immanuel’s front office for over twenty-five years.

A long-time resident of Nashville, Nancy graduated from DePaul University and worked for many years as Escrow Officer for Tennessee Title Company.  She was drawn to Immanuel in 1982 because of her strong relationship with the people of the church.

Nancy has a loving family that includes her husband, two sons, two daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren.  Many of Nancy’s happiest moments are spent with her grandchildren, Maggie and Beau.

Ngoc Ha has ministered to Immanuel since 1990, serving as the Pastor of the Vietnamese Baptist Church of Nashville on the campus of IBC.

Ngoc moved to the United States from Soc Trang, Vietnam.  He is a graduate of East Texas Baptist University (B.A.) and the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.).  Before coming to Immanuel, he served churches throughout Louisiana and Texas.  He has also written and edited curriculum for denominational publications.  His passions in ministry include preaching, teaching, and visiting with people.

Ngoc is married to My-Hong Doan.  Ngoc and My-Hong have two children: Jennifer (20) and Josh (15).  The Ha family is active in leadership and ministry at Immanuel.

Ngoc spends his free time visiting friends and church members, reading good books, and running.  He even ran a 1/2 marathon in 2007.

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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 and Ellie. 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 three dogs…and truthfully, as much as she loves her church, she’d much rather be at the beach right now!

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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.

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Melinda Parker
Director, Parents' Day Out
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Melinda Parker has worked with Immanuel’s Parents’ Day Out program since 1987.  Since 1995, she has served as PDO director.

Melinda is a graduate of East Tennessee State University.  Before coming to Immanuel, she worked as an elementary school educator in Johnson City, Tennessee, and Ft. Worth, Texas, and as a preschool teacher in Nashville.  She enjoys her ministry at Immanuel and finds great satisfaction in working with young families and interacting with children as they learn through play and activities.

Melinda is married to Woody.  They spend much of their time with their children and grandchildren, and come home each day to a loving beagle.  Melinda and Woody are
Immanuel members and participate actively in the life of the church.

When not at the church or spending time with family, Melinda finds time for hobbies like reading, gardening, and an ever-increasing love for travel.

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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 Nashville. At present, she works as the Assistant Principal at Trinity Elementary School in Franklin. In her "free time," she serves as the director of the Nashville Children's choir.

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, teaching, or administrating, Marilyn can be found collecting (she loves china), working crossword and Sodoku puzzles, or planning her next trip.

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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.

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Alan Sherouse became Immanuel’s Minister to Youth in 2005.

A “preacher’s kid” from Florida, Alan earned his B.A. in Religion from Palm Beach Atlantic University (2002), where he was named the Outstanding Leader of his graduating class.  After college, Alan completed a Master of Divinity degree at Wake Forest University Divinity School (2005), where he was awarded the Wait Fellowship.  He is currently a student at Vanderbilt, working towards a Ph.D. in New Testament and Homiletics.

Prior to his time at Immanuel, Alan served as Minister to Youth at First Baptist in Lexington, North Carolina (2002-2005) and in various ministry positions at churches and camps
throughout college.  He loves his ministry with youth and their families and is blessed by the invitation to share in peoples’ lives.

Alan’s spouse, Jenny, is a photographer.  They fell in love in college and married upon graduation.  Alan and Jenny live in East Nashville with their wild Cairn Terrier, “Riley.”

Outside of church and school, Alan fills up his life with family and friends, and makes time for his loves of local music, the outdoors (backpacking), sports and fitness, and college football (The “Noles” will be back!)

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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.

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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.

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Immanuel Baptist Church 222 Belle Meade Blvd Nashville, TN 37205 /©2008