OUR
PASTOR
Rev. Tommy C. Chappell has served
faithfully as pastor of New Rising Star since 1975. Under the power
of the Holy Spirit and his leadership, our church has flourished.
The Lord has enlarged his coast and has
allowed many ministries (encompassing all age groups and cultures
and fulfilling many needs) to be developed under his tutelage. He
has targeted the community through his strong approach to Christian
education. Sunday school attendance at New Rising Star exceeds the
norm for most congregations across the nation.
New Rising Star Daycare is the first
outreach ministry that Pastor Chappell and the NRS Family developed
under his ministry. It has been providing a loving, safe,
educational and Christian environment for our children for more than
nineteen (19) years. It is equipped to provide care and education
for ages six (6) weeks through five (5) years old, and after-school
care up to age five (5).
Continuing upon the idea of innovative
ministry, Pastor Chappell and our congregation organized and
developed the NRS Community Credit Union in 1996, allowing members
of the congregation and community to reach a state of financial
strength through home ownership and other investment programs.
Likewise, in 2006, Pastor Chappell and
our congregation organized and developed the New Rising Star
Missionary Baptist Church Community Support Corporation. The mission
of this corporation is to enhance the quality of life in the East
Lake Community. Our vision is to develop a "community of choice"
through excellence in education and affordable housing in three of
our neighboring communities: East Lake, Brown Springs and Gate City.
Also in 2006, the Rising Stars Summer
Enrichment Camp was begun to promote and provide educational,
cultural, recreational, spiritual and personal enrichment for each
camper. This is an eight week program that ministers to campers ages
5-14, providing a needed service for parents in the community.
There have been many pastors, ministers
and evangelists who have been mentored by Pastor Chappell. To date,
he has licensed, subsequent to their divine calling, some 19
ministers; many of whom have gone on to pastoral leadership in other
ministries.
Pastor Chappell and our congregation
have now completed their "Building the Dream" project. This is a
30,000 square feet Christian family life center, which opened
December of 2002. With God as the captain, this 2.5 million dollars
modern facility (featuring classrooms, gymnasium with walking track,
senior citizen recreational room, library, bookstore, computer room
and fitness room with state of the art nautilus equipment,) was paid
in full (no loans, no mortgages-no debt!) upon completion. This is a
testimony to his teachings on tithes and offerings and trusting and
obeying God.
Pastor Chappell has many educational
achievements, including a Bachelors of Theology, from the Birmingham
Baptist Bible College. An Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree was
bestowed him by the Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College. He is
a nationwide lecturer on church building, ministry development and
tithing. He serves on various community and civic boards to improve
the quality of life of people.
Pastor Chappell indeed loves the Lord.
The work of the Lord is his first and foremost interest. He is a
dedicated Pastor who preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor
Chappell’s messages are geared to the edification of the believers
and to turning lost souls to Christ.
Pastor Chappell is married to Loretha
Matt Chappell. They now have over 50 years of marital bliss. Also,
he and Mrs. Chappell are the dedicated and proud parents of four
adult children: Agnes, Tommy, Pam and Chris.
Pastor Chappell is a profound leader and
shepherd, a great builder, and a compassionate man of God.