MEET THE TEAM

Although the members of the ministerial staff at Bethlehem have diverse backgrounds and a wide range of educational and church experience, they share a single mission: to lead the congregation at Bethlehem into a closer relationship with Christ through example, relationships, top-quality biblical instruction, and Christ-centered fellowship.

Randy Corn, M.Div., pastor: A 52-year-old Nashville native, Randy was raised at East Nashville Free Will Baptist Church where he was influenced by Free Will Baptist pioneers like Billy "Pop" Melvin and L.C. Johnson. He received his B.A. from Free Will Baptist Bible College in 1978. It was there that he met his wife Joy (Ketteman).

They were married in 1980, and Randy received his M.Div. from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (Memphis) in 1982. He has also completed classwork requirements toward his Doctorate of Ministry from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. His knowledge of and love for the Scripture shines through in his expository preaching. This led him to coin the slogan, "If it's Bible you want, you want Bethlehem!"

Randy pastored churches in Alabama and Georgia while serving as a U.S. Air Force Reserve Chaplain. Before moving back to Tennessee in 1995 to pastor Bethlehem Church, he pastored four years in Illinois. He currently serves on the adjunct faculty at Free Will Baptist College, and has been the assistant moderator of the Northern Quarterly of the Cumberland Association of Free Will Baptists. He is also the president of the Ashland City Ministerial Alliance, and is a member of the Tennessee State Home Missions Board. The Corns have two grown sons, Benjamin and Paul.

Neal and Jewell Thomsen, Children's Church directors: A retired pastor and Christian school teacher, Neal Thomsen continues to fulfill his lifelong dream of working with children. "Teaching is my thing" the 68-year-old Colorado native says with a smile. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute (Chicago, IL) and Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC), Neal enjoys finding creative ways to encourage children to study the Scriptures.

His wife Jewell has also spent most of her adult life working with children. After attending Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN, for two years, she completed an degree in elementary education at Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC). Jewell taught elementary-aged children for 33 years before becoming assistant principal at Cedar Hills Christian School in Jacksonville, FL. She has directed children's church at three churches prior to Bethlehem and continues to have a deep love for children's ministry.

Eric K. Thomsen, minister of worship:
Former director of Art and Marketing for Randall House Publications, 35-year-old Florida native Eric Thomsen currently serves as the managing editor of ONE Magazine. He has been part of Bethlehem Free Will Baptist Church for 18 years. A 1995 graduate of Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN, Eric and his wife Jennifer have one child, Victoria Elizabeth, age nine.

Will Lockert, youth director: A 25-year-old Cheatham County native, Will Lockert is a graduate of University of Tennessee. While in college, Will served with Campus Ministries and was the director of Young Life at his church in Knoxville for more than three years. After returning to Ashland City, Will quickly became involved with the youth ministry at Bethlehem and was elected to his current position in the fall of 2007. He and his wife Ashley believe their mission is to help teenagers grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When asked about the focus of his ministry, Will replies, "I want to help middle school and high school students have a growing faith of their own."