HURST, Texas, May 23, 2022 — EEM (Eastern European Mission) announced today its most recent staff addition, longtime preacher and minister for Washington Street Church of Christ, Jim Black. Beginning his work as Regional Director in June, Black will serve the states of Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and parts of the Northeast region.
“I am excited about joining the EEM team and look forward to helping get the Word of God into people’s hands and hearts in Eastern Europe and beyond,” Black said. “I am excited about the work ahead with EEM, and grateful for all my wonderful friends and church family at Washington Street Church. They have encouraged me and inspired me to grow and to learn. I would not have had the confidence to step into this new role without their support.”
After having spent 27 years in full-time ministry helping his congregants share the gospel – over 20 at Washington Street Church, making him one of the longest-serving local ministers – Black has grown in his love both for the Bible and for people. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, he spent the first six years of his career in ministry as a Youth and Family Minister there before moving to Fayetteville, Tennessee. During that time, he also taught Bible at Riverside Christian Academy (RCA) and led the school’s mission program.
Black wears many hats in the community, yet no roles are more precious to him than those of husband and father. He and his wife, the former Celeste Forrest, have been married for almost 27 years and have four sons, Andy, David, Michael and Daniel. Andy is a recent graduate of Lipscomb University (May ’22). David will be studying at the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH). Michael graduates from Riverside Christian Academy this Spring and will be attending Freed Hardeman University in the Fall. Their youngest, Daniel, is in Middle School at RCA.
Black holds a bachelor's degree and a Master of Divinity from Lipscomb University (’95 and ’06, respectively) and is currently completing his Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership from Harding School of Theology (’22).
About Eastern European Mission
Eastern European Mission (EEM) was established in 1961 to provide Bibles and Bible-based materials throughout the former communist bloc countries in Eastern Europe. Today, EEM publishes and prints Bibles and New Testaments as well as Teen Bibles, Children’s Bibles and coloring books, distributing them through a vast network of partner churches and organizations reaching more than 32 countries in 23 different languages, including Farsi and Arabic. For more information, visit www.eem.org.
- 30 -
Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge, 972-267-1111
melany@alarryross.com