About Us
Pastor and School Administrator: James Bell
James Bell has served as the senior pastor at Southside Baptist since May of 1975. He and his dear wife, Cindy, have been married for 42 years. She serves as the Southside Church Organist and Children's Church Director. She is an RN in the local hospital.
James is a native of Sparta, Georgia. He was saved, baptized and received a calling/desire (1 Timothy 3:1) from God to become a pastor while attending Jewell Baptist Church, Jewell, Georgia. While attending Truett-McConnell College, Cleveland, Georgia, he began his first pastorate at Fairmount Baptist, just outside of Sparta. James graduated from Truett-McConnell and Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee. Soon after marrying Cindy, they moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, where James attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After seminary, James served as pastor of FBC, Hartsville, Tennessee and since those days continues to serve in Gallatin with the Southside Church.
Years ago, the LORD gave grace for the Southside Church to embrace a plurality of leadership or Elders. However, for the last several years, James has been and presently is our only Elder or Pastor. James continues to frequently share the pulpit with men in the congregation. Moreover, Pastor Bell, the Deacons, the Minister of Music and School Principal, Church and School Staff and other servant leaders seek to work together in a spirit that honors our LORD. Beyond that, we wait upon the LORD for the raising up of future, additional Elders. James believes it to be a grand honor to serve with the saints of God in Christ at Southside!
Due to godly desire placed within the hearts of church families, Southside Christian School was founded in 1981. Pastor Bell serves as the Administrator.
CLOYD E. YOUNG!
Cloyd is married to his college sweetheart, Sally Ann (Mitchell) Young. Sally works for Accelerated Christian Education, (A.C.E.), as their Managing Editor, in the Madison, Tennessee, corporate headquarters.
Bro. Young attended Ashland College, Ashland, Ohio; attended Temple University, Chattanooga, TN; and received a BA degree from Manahath School of Theology, Hollidaysburg, PA. With good success, Cloyd has served as Principal of several Christian Schools. He has served also full time with Accelerated Christian Education in various capacities. In Gallatin, Cloyd faithfully served as Principal at Southside Christian School, as well as Minister of Discipleship and Outreach for Southside Baptist Church.
Cloyd continues to serve in the Southside church family on a part-time basis. He and Sally are a wonderful blessing from the LORD!
LEADING THE MUSIC MINISTRY AT SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH
Cloyd Young leads our Congregational worship.
John Johnston directs our Choir and leads the Praise Team.
Our Philosophy of WORSHIP and PRAISE: The congregation's highest priority and privilege is worship. Psalm 2:11 declares, "...Worship the Lord with reverence, and rejoice with trembling." The modern trend today finds churches seeking to please the lost masses and congregations by offering up worship services whose pattern and sound comes from the pagan world of rock music. Many churches seek a blend of whatever is popular or desired by people.
However, true worship is ALL ABOUT GOD! God is worthy that we should Praise Him! Worship and praise to God surely must be from the heart and therefore not dull or emotionless! But neither should it be man-centered, carnal and full of showmanship. At Southside, there is a variety of expressions in music. But in every case, our goal is and God is leading us to offer up genuine Worship that is GOD-GLORIFYING and not MAN-CENTERED!