About Us
Randy Runions
Senior Pastor
Brother Randy became our Pastor in May 2014. He has been married to Lori for 17 years and they have three children Dylan, Isaiah, and Sophia. Before becoming our Sr. Pastor he had served in Youth Ministry, Associate Pastor, and Pastor of Evangelism for 15 years.
Here is a word from our Pastor: It is an honor to stand in the pulpit at LABC and lead our people each week. Lori and I are overwhelmed with God’s goodness that He has entrusted us with this opportunity to serve the Newport community through LABC. We have a very clear vision and goal at LABC. It is our desire to glorify Christ through worship. We are committed to supporting the SBC missions as well as supporting our community’s local needs.
At LABC we have adopted a familiar phrase among the SBC when it comes to missions. We will either “SEND or GO”! We currently have a partnership with our local authorities and teach the Bible every week in the local jail. We also have a partnership with Dr. Joel Carpenter a former LABC member who lives in Tanzania. We continue to work with him to build and plant Churches to the Swahili people. Currently we are exploring expanding our global mission’s footprint by sending a team to the Cincinnati– Dayton Ohio area as well as a team to Ecuador.
Finally I would like to share with you how blessed I am to work with this Church Staff. All five of us share the same heart for God’s glory! We love working together and ministering to this community. We also would love to have the opportunity to meet you!
Edwin Franks
Minister Children/Education
Bro. Edwin joined the Lincoln Ave in August of 2007. Bro Edwin has been married to Gretchen for 17 years and they have three children; Ty, Ali, and Lucy. Bro Edwin has served as Youth Minister, Children's Minister, Education Minister, and Executive Pastor over the last 22 Years.
Bro. Edwin has a heart for teaching and enjoys teaching Children Church on Sunday Mornings, Coed Sunday School each Sunday, Adult Bible Study on Wednesday nights, and Senior Adult Bible Study on Thursday mornings.
Jesse Ramsey
Bro. Jesse grew up in the youth group here at LABC. He joined the ministry team in 2008 as an intern, which later turned into an interim position in 2011, and in 2013 he became the Minister of Worship.
Minister of Worship
Mark Robertson
Minister to Students
Bro Mark grew up in Newport and even attended Lincoln Avenue in his high school years. He left for South Carolina, after graduating from Cocke County High School, to attend North Greenville University. During his time at North Greenville University he earned his Bachelors in Education before returning home. While in school he met his beautiful wife, Courtney. They have been married since November of 2011. Mark & Courntney have one sweet child, Timothy. Bro. Mark is bivocational and work at Greeneville High School as the Technology Leader.
Heath Chambers
Minister of Missions/Evangelism
Bro. Heath grew up in the LABC youth group. He attended Columbia International University where he studied Bible and Youth Ministry. Heath joined the ministry staff in the fall of 2014. Heath is bivocational and teaches 8th grade Math at a local Middle School.
Donna Triplett
Finance Assistant
dtriplett@labconline.org