By Rashad Harrison, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University will be hosting Dr. Marvin Cameron, pastor of First Baptist Church in Kingsport, Tenn., as the speaker for CU’s chapel Wednesday, April 1 at 10 a.m. in Ransdell Chapel.
“I was converted as a nine-year-old in Vacation Bible School. My conversion followed my upbringing in a Christian home where I had learned about God and His Word since I was a toddler,” Cameron said.
First Baptist Church’s purpose statement is “Our purpose is to love God, love people and lead people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.” The church has done this through a variety of ministries. They have built 17 Habitat for Humanity houses. Their recovery ministry reaches 60-90 people who are struggling with “hurts, hang-ups and habits” each week. They are in the process of opening a free medical clinic for the poor in the local community of Kingsport.
Cameron has served at First Baptist Church since 2001.
Cameron was also a pastor at Tennessee Central Baptist Church (Fountain City, Tenn.) from 1999 to 2001. In the years of 1993 to 1999, he was a pastor at West Hills Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. His first experience as a pastor was at First Baptist Church (Gatlinburg, Tenn.) 1984 to 1993. He was the associate pastor at First Baptist from 1980 to 1984.
He is a native of Charlotte, N.C., where he attended South Mecklenburg High School in 1971, then attended Union University of Jackson, Tenn., a four-year, liberal arts, Southern Baptist University, where he received his bachelor of arts degree. He received his doctor of ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
Cameron served as chaplain of the University of Tennessee basketball team in the mid-90s and is very close to Dr. Michael V. Carter, Campbellsville University president, with whom he has been good friends for more than 20 years. “I am envious of you for having Mike and Debbie Carter as your leaders and friends,” Cameron said.
“Thus, I see the difficulties facing young people today. They are radically different from those my generation faced when we were younger. However, the great solution to our issues has not changed. The love, grace and mercy offered in Jesus Christ still provides mankind’s best hope for living in a better world here and a perfect world in the life to come,” Cameron said.
Cameron is a trustee at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., and the Houston Valley Hospital Board of Directors.
He and his wife, Penny Green Cameron, have two children, Christopher and Tyler.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2009 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.