2025 Annual Meeting
May 22, 2025 // Online // 12:00 - 1:00pm (Central)DLN AWARDS NOMINATIONS
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award is given annually to a church leader who is in the early stages of their ministry. They are already experiencing success and demonstrate leadership potential as a disciple leader. Lifetime Membership in DLN as a part of their recognition.
Distinguished Leadership Award
The Distinguished Leader Award is presented to a mid-career church leader who has made significant contributions to the field of religious education and/or discipleship. Recipients receive DLN Lifetime Membership as a part of their recognition.
Tim Holcomb Lifetime Achievement Award
The Tim Holcomb Leadership Lifetime Award is given to someone who is retired and has made a significant contribution to the work of discipleship and/or Christian education. It is named in honor of Tim Holcomb who was a long-time proven and influential equipper of church leaders,disciple-maker, and Christian educator. After a long battle with cancer, Tim passed away in August of 2016. Each recipient will receive both lifetime membership in DLN and lifetime complimentary conference registration.
2025 BOARD NOMINATIONS
The DLN Board plays a significant role in overseeing and helping set the strategic direction for DLN. This year Carl Fondren, Kim Harris, and Robert Mullins will be rotating off of the board. We are grateful for their leadership.
The following have been recommended to begin their term as board members that will end in 2029.
Anthony Rhodes
Senior Pastor, Union Baptist Church, Lexington, TN
Anthony came to Union Baptist Church in August of 2020. He is from Albertville, AL. Anthony received a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Minor in Broadcast Communications from Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL. He received his Master of Divinity in 2012 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX and his Doctor of Ministry degree in 2022 from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.
Collin Whitney
Discipleship Pastor, Faith Baptist Church, Youngsville, TN
Colin previously served as the Pastor, Young Couples and Families at Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN. He attended Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Memphis, TN in pusuit of the Master of Divinity. He attended from 2018 to 2021
He is orginally from Hillsboro, Texas.
Stephanie Newton
Lead Strategist, Adult and Multicultural Audiences, WMU
Stephanie is responsible for program planning and leadership development of myMISSION, Adults on Mission, and Women on Mission. She also serves as the liaison for multicultural audiences, including Sisters Who Care, the Hispanic WMU/UFM network, and Korean WMU. Stephanie is passionate about encouraging leaders and empowering them to live on mission.
Leadership Transitions
John McClendon is moving toward retirement as the Executive Director, effective December 31, 2025. The board unanimously recommends that Joseph Brasher continue serving as the Co-Executive Director through December 31, 2025 and then step into the roll as Executive Director effective January 1, 2026.
Alan Raughton has served faithfully as DLN’s Secretary-Treasurer for the past several years. Alan has requested to step down from his position, effective June 30, 2025. The board recommends Todd Capps, Discipleship Pastor, Victory Baptist Church, Mt Juliet, TN for the role of Secretary/Treasurer.
Co-Executive Director (2025) – Executive Director (2026)
JOSEPH BRASHER
Joseph surrendered to full time vocational ministry in 2010. He has served in two previous churches and currently serves as the Adult Pastor at New Vision in Murfreesboro, TN. In 2022, Joseph began to also serve as the Director of Institutional Effectiveness at Williamson College in Franklin, TN.
Joseph is involved in various networks including Disciple Leaders Network where he has served as the Chair of the Board. His passion for growing marriages and strengthening the local church has provided him with opportunities to speak for marriage retreats or in small group consultant capacities.
Secretary-Treasurer (effective July 1, 2025)
TODD CAPPS
Todd Capps has served Victory Baptist Church, Mt Juliet, TN since December 2019 as the Admin, Discipleship, and Senior Adult Pastor. He graduated from Gardner-Webb University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Trinity College and Seminary. He has served churches in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, and Hong Kong.
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