Pastor Byron Chesney
Pastor Byron Chesney has dedicated over 30 years to Gospel ministry, serving faithfully as a singer, song leader, preacher, and pastor. His journey of faith began at the age of six when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior during Vacation Bible School.
In the late 1990s, Pastor Byron felt the call to preach and was licensed by House Mountain Baptist Church in Corryton, Tennessee. There, he initially served as song leader and later took on the role of interim pastor.
In 2010, he was ordained to the Gospel ministry. In August 2011, he became the Senior Pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Knoxville, where he served for eight years. Following God's guidance, he planted Porchlight Baptist Church in August 2019 and led it as Senior Pastor for four years. On October 8, 2023, Pastor Byron accepted the call to serve as the pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Knoxville, where he continues his ministry.
In addition to his pastoral work, Pastor Byron is a full-time Technical Writer at Elo Touch Systems, a global leader in touchscreen technology. He also hosts The Brother Byron Podcast, where he discusses topics related to ministry, the Bible, and current events.
A true jack of all trades, you may find him in his spare time working under the hood of a car, disassembling and repairing computers, building websites, or making house repairs.
He and his wife, Mary, were married in 1985 and are blessed with three children: Jessica, Matthew, and Elizabeth.
Education
- A.S., Electronic Technology – Tennessee Institute of Electronics, Knoxville, TN
- B.S., Technical Management – Fountainhead College, Knoxville, TN
- M.Min., Ministry – Crown College & Seminary, Powell, TN
- D.Min., Pastoral Theology – Andersonville Baptist Seminary, Camilla, GA
Bro. Scott Buchanan
Brother Scott Buchanan serves as our music leader, head deacon, and adult Sunday School teacher. The Lord has gifted him with a heart for worship and a talent for song, which he faithfully uses to lead our congregation, choir, and special music. As an ordained deacon, he ministers with spiritual maturity, humility, and a servant’s heart.
In the Sunday School hour, Bro. Scott does a fantastic job rightly dividing the Word of Truth, teaching with clarity, conviction, and a strong foundation in Scripture.
He and his wife, Sister Karen Cardwell Buchanan, live in the Knoxville area.
Sis. MaryAnn Miller
Sister MaryAnn serves as our women’s Sunday School teacher and leads the Senior Saints Ministry. She is also a gifted vocalist, often blessing our congregation with solos during worship services.
With a deep compassion for the lost, the hurting, and the overlooked, she devotes much of her life to ministering to others through both word and deed. Her servant’s heart and Christlike spirit are a constant encouragement to our church family.
