South Woods Baptist Church

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Tommy Campbell

Tommy's bio will be forthcoming...

Jim Carnes

Jim Carnes has served as Minister of Music at South Woods since 1995. He received his education at Union University (BM) and North Texas State University (MA in Musicology). He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 20+ years and have two daughters: Anna and Mary. In addition to his music responsibilities at South Woods, Jim teaches one of the Adult Sunday school classes and shares in Wednesday evening teaching ministries with Pastor Phil. His full time job is at Oak Hall clothing store in Memphis where he is a men's clothes buyer. One of his real joys is seeing the congregation use his library which is housed at the church. Email Jim here.

Phil Newton

Pastor Phil Newton began South Woods Baptist Church in 1987. He served as a pastor of three other churches prior to moving to Memphis. He received his education at the University of Mobile, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Karen, were married in 1975. They enjoy discussing biblical issues, reading, walking, traveling, and taking care of their 5 children. Kelly is a graduate of Mississippi College and married with four children. Andrew, having finished his term with the U.S. Navy, and his wife live in Arkansas, where he works in the oil industry. John is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and law student at William & Mary. Elizabeth is a student at Samford University, and Stephen is a high school student. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Pastor Phil serves on the Executive Board of Founders Ministries, has taught as an adjunct professor at Crichton College in Memphis and Theologique de Nimes (France), and enjoys leading foreign mission trips annually. He has published articles in several journals and has authored ELDERS IN CONGREGATIONAL LIFE and THE WAY OF FAITH. He also regularly sends his Sunday morning message via e-mail to people in several countries. If you are interested in being placed on his Sermon-a-Week mailing list, contact him here. There is no charge for this ministry.

Tom Tollett

Tom Tollett has been a member of South Woods since 1998. He has a degree in Architecture from the University of Arkansas and has been in design, project management, or strategic planning in the building industry for over 35 years. Twenty of those years were with FedEx, primarily overseas. He has been married also over 35 years to Janie and has two married daughters and two grandchildren. He shares in Bible teaching responsibilities on Sunday morning and in S.T.I.N.T. classes. He also enjoys singing in the choir.