The Camden church of Christ has welcomed a new preacher, Joe Rhodes, into the family. With his extensive experience in preaching, working in the community, and coaching, Rhodes brings a wealth of knowledge to the church.
Joe grew up in Columbia and honed his people skills working at a funeral home.
In 2002, he began preaching at Shady Grove church of Christ in Hickman County, and in 2006, he became the preacher at the New Johnsonville church of Christ.
He worked there until 2022, when he decided it was time to move on to a new challenge.
Joe’s extensive community work in Humphreys County, where he coached at the junior pro level, was president of the junior pro league for a year, and coached at Waverly Junior High, and later with the high school team, makes him a perfect fit for Camden. He plans to use his coaching skills to get to know the students and teachers in the community and involve them in church activities.
Joe will also be coaching at Camden Central High School as a volunteer assistant, working with the offensive line. He plans to use this position to get to know people he might not have met otherwise. Joe’s specialty is in the sports area, but he plans to help in any way he can and be involved in the community as much as possible.
Joe’s wife, Marlina, is a pre-K teacher in Humphreys County. They have three daughters: Elizabeth, a junior at Freed-Hardeman University, Mary-Emma, a senior at Waverly Central High School, and Harper Lee, who is the 8th grade at Waverly Junior High School.
Joe plans to make a significant impact on the church and the community in Camden. His ability to connect with people and his desire to be involved in the community will help him achieve his goal of bringing the community together and growing the church.
“I want to find out where folks eat breakfast and go eat breakfast with them, whether it be at McDonald’s or Down Home or Finish Line or wherever it may be,” Joe said. “To get involved in some of the youth activities that Ethan has going on.”
Rhodes is among familiar company among the staff at the Camden church of Christ. Ethan Edwards, the congregation’s youth minister, worked closely with Rhodes while a high school student in Humphrey’s County. Now that these two are right next door to each other in the church office, their collaboration continues in ways to spread God’s Word. Rhodes mentioned plans for the two to conduct weekly Bible segments on Facebook and possibly Youtube.
Rhodes will also be a regular contributor to The Camden Chronicle with a weekly column.
The Camden church of Christ meets on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. for Bible study and the Sunday morning worship service begins at 9:40 a.m. There is also an evening worship service at 6 p.m. on Sundays, and a midweek bible study at Wed. 6:30 p.m. The building is located at 1285 US Hwy 70 Bypass in Camden. More information can be found online at www.camdenchurchofchrist.org.
