Ministers' Biographical Information

Body Life Minister

Dennis & Terre Conner

DENNIS: Born in 1954 in Winston-Salem, NC. Graduated from David Lipscomb with a BA in Bible in 1976. Married Terre (Crosslin) in 1975, celebrating our 30th anniversary last June 7. We have a son, Nelson, whom we adopted when he was 10 (he's now 25). Extended ministies include: Carolina Bible Camp (Board of Directors, Week 6 Director), Carolina Christian magazine (Board of Directors, Editor since 1995), Ukraine short term missions (11 trips). Hobbies include: basketball, golf, canoeing/kayaking, and softball. My parents, Clyde and Dora, currently live in Yadkinville. I have one sister, Jane, who lives with her family in Wisconsin.

TERRE: Born in 1954 in Los Angeles, CA. The daughter of a preacher, she lived all over southern California and in 1969 moved with her family to Jerusalem, Israel, where her father (John Crosslin) served as a missionary among the Arab population. In Israel they often worked and fellowshipped with Ernie Stewart. Terre met Dennis at David Lipscomb College. Terre is an accomplished furniture builder (she has a fully equipped workshop at our home here in Rockford) and photographer and also enjoys painting. She has made 6 trips to Ukraine with Dennis. Hobbies include: canoeing/kayaking, hiking, and primitive camping. Her mother, Mildred, now resides in Mt. Airy. Terre has two sisters (Linda McDill in Moor Park, CA & Tracy in Mt. Airy, NC) and a brother (Mark in Atlanta, GA).

Dennis joined the Brooks family as the Body-Life/Involvement Minister in April 2006.

OUTREACH MINISTER

Kent & Vallarie Massey

Kent Massey has served as a minister with the Providence Road Church of Christ in Charlotte, NC for the past 12 years. He was primarily engaged in new member outreach, evangelism and Bible teaching ministry. Prior to his position with Providence Road, he worked with AT&T and the City of Charlotte in management positions.

Kent was born and raised on the west side of Charlotte and as a high school student was brought to Jesus Christ by close friends. Vallarie was born in Ashland, KY and spent her childhood years in Cincinnati, OH while her dad was going to seminary. Her teen years were spent in Christiansburg, VA. Vallarie’s dad and brother-in-law preach in Independent Christian churches. They met at Providence Road (where Vallarie had arrived about a month before Kent), and were married there.

Kent has two brothers—Bart (who recently retired from the Charlotte Fire Department and works as a fire services consultant for Marriott Corporation) and Tim. Tim is his special needs brother. Kent’s sister Ann died suddenly four years ago. He is the “baby” of the family and on his side, has one nephew and five nieces.

Vallarie has two sisters—Stephanie (who lives with her husband in Waynesville, NC) and Crystal (who is married to Devon). She has five nephews (two sets of twins) on her side of the family.

They have a toy fox terrier named Chester. For hobbies they enjoy reading, antique shopping, flea markets, travel and quiet evenings at home.

Kent serves on the Board of Directors of Palmetto Bible Camp and speaks for various church functions throughout the Southeast. He shares Paul's sentiments in Ephesians 3:7 "By God's special power and mighty power, I have been given the wonderful privilege of serving him by spreading the Good News." They are very excited to be at Brooks Avenue!

Kent joined the Brooks family as the Outreach Minister in September 2008.

From 2 Timothy –
Shepherds’ Charge to the Ministers:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, we give you this charge:

Preach God's message. Do it willingly, even if it isn't the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they want to hear. They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories.

But you must stay calm and be willing to suffer. You must work hard to tell the good news and to do your job well.

And with God as your witness, you must warn God’s people not to argue about words. These arguments don't help anyone. In fact, they ruin everyone who listens to them. Do your best to win God's approval as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message. Keep away from worthless and useless talk. It only leads people farther away from God.

But the foundation that God has laid is solid. On it is written, "The Lord knows who his people are. So everyone who worships the Lord must turn away from evil."

The ones who stop doing evil and make themselves pure will become special in God’s sight. Their lives will be holy and pleasing to their Master, and they will be able to do all kinds of good deeds. Run from temptations that capture young people. Always do the right thing. Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with. Worship with people whose hearts are pure.

Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments. These only lead to trouble, and God's servants must not be troublemakers. They must be kind to everyone, and they must be good teachers and very patient. Be humble when you correct people who oppose you. You must teach people to have genuine love, as well as a good conscience and true faith.

You are already dear to us. We are committed to pray for you day and night as you do His work. We pray that God our Father and our Lord Christ Jesus will be kind and merciful to you and will bless you with peace!

In His name – we all say AMEN (which means let it be so!)