Music Ministry

I, also, served in our Colson Baptist Mission as their music director (1999) where we began an adult choir and had their first-ever Christmas cantata. In December of 1989, I was called as the Director of Music and Senior Adults here at Whitesburg First Baptist and served until 1994. From 1994 until 2000, I was the Youth and Music Director at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Jenkins , KY where we began a children's choir, youth choir and orchestra. I am now back home here at Whitesburg and serving again as the Interim Minister of Music.

On December 22, 1977 , I married Timothy Vanover, my high school sweetheart, at the Fleming Baptist Church , where we were both members. In December of 1978, Tim and I moved our membership from the Fleming Baptist Church to Whitesburg First Baptist. We reared our children, Aaron and Autumn, in this wonderful church where both of them were saved at a very early age.

My Personal Testimony

I was raised by two very devoted Christian parents, John and Dorcas Smith. My daddy was a deacon and the song leader, and my mommy was a Sunday school teacher, Girls in Action Leader, and a choir member. So I was in church every time the doors were open. At the very young age of five years old, I asked Jesus to come into my heart and He did! Being so young, the only thing that I knew about salvation was that I wanted to go to Heaven and live with Jesus if I should die. For a child, that was enough to know. So, on August 26, 1964 , I accepted Jesus into my heart on a Sunday evening at the Fleming Baptist Church and was baptized the next Sunday evening.

From that time on, the Lord has blessed me in so many ways. I grew up in a wonderful church family that helped mold, shape and mature my faith. Then, at the age of sixteen, during a youth revival at Fleming Baptist Church , I felt God's call upon my life for Christian service. My desire is to serve my wonderful Lord in whatever He wants me to do.

Adult Sanctuary Choir: Our choir meets Wednesdays at 8 pm . We are always looking for new members, so please some and join us.

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains. You raise me up to walk on

stormy seas. I am strong when I am on Your shoulders

You raise me up to more than I can be.

Handbell Choir: Our handbell choir practices every Sunday evening @ 5:00pm. We are always looking for new members that can read music.


Judy Collins & April Frazier	Carol Brown	Janie, Wendy & Judy

Carol, Suzanne & Ann

Gene Smallwood

Julia Fowler & Eleanor Caudill

Tommy Stansberry

April Frazier

Janie Frazier

Gene & Tommy

Wendy Vander Molen

Julia & Eleanor

Seekers : This is a small vocal ensemble from the Sanctuary choir that reads music and performs on special occasions. Practice is Tuesdays @ 7:00 PM.

Lord, we want to know you, live our lifes to show you all the love we owe you,

were Seekers of your heart.

Dr. John Bouldin, Judy Collins, Mildred Hogg,

Gene & Suzanne Smallwood, Tommy Stansberry, Susan Vanover

Orchestra: This is a very talented group of musicians who have played for many years. We have two concerts a year and play on special occasions during worship.

Janie Frazier, Roger McDonald, Ann Reynolds, Suzanne Smallwood, Tommy Stansberry, Wendy Vander Molen,

Susan Vanover, Director

Judy Collins, Church Organist and April Frazier, Church Pianist

Susan Vanover, Minister of Music, Tessa Fugate, Interpretive Movement, Su zanne Smallwood, flute