New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church

Pastor Thomas Beavers was born on May 22, 1982 to the parents of Floyd Beavers and Agnes Chappell. He graduated from Kentucky State University in 2004 with a B.S. in Biology where he lettered on the KSU Men Basketball Team from 2000-2004. Among his other accomplishments, he served on the Student Government Association as Mr. Kentucky State University in 2004. Upon graduation from KSU, he married his college sweetheart, Candice Lee Beavers, March 19, 2005. He then graduated from Beeson Divinity School of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama on May 26, 2007. As of April 2010, he is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry at Beeson. He served four years as the Assistant Pastor of the New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of his grandfather, Rev. Dr. Tommy C. Chappell. After 35 years of service to New Rising Star, Pastor Chappell was not tired, but was led by the Spirit of God to pass the baton. On May 16, 2010, Rev. Beaver’s was called to be the Senior Pastor. Despite all of these accomplishments, the most important one is that he confessed Christ at the age of five.

Pastor Beavers has also been the keynote speaker for a wide variety of forums which include but is not limited to the following: Alabama Democratic Convention, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Kentucky State University Sexual Awareness Week, University of Georgia Bulldogs football team, and many different churches across the United States. He completed his first Christian rap album entitled “Taking Cities” in 2005. Pastor Beavers is a devoted husband and the father of six beautiful children: Zaneta, Dominique, Kennedi, Zoe, Micah and Xavier Fredrick Beavers; and one deceased daughter, Taylor.

TO GOD BE ALL OF THE GLORY!

Rev. Tommy C. Chappell has served faithfully as pastor of New Rising Star since 1975. Under the power of the Holy Spirit and his leadership, our church has flourished.

The Lord has enlarged his coast and has allowed many ministries (encompassing all age groups and cultures and fulfilling many needs) to be developed under his tutelage. He has targeted the community through his strong approach to Christian education. Sunday school attendance at New Rising Star exceeds the norm for most congregations across the nation.

New Rising Star Daycare is the first outreach ministry that Pastor Chappell and the NRS Family developed under his ministry. It has been providing a loving, safe, educational and Christian environment for our children for more than nineteen (19) years. It is equipped to provide care and education for ages six (6) weeks through five (5) years old, and after-school care up to age five (5).

Continuing upon the idea of innovative ministry, Pastor Chappell and our congregation organized and developed the NRS Community Credit Union in 1996, allowing members of the congregation and community to reach a state of financial strength through home ownership and other investment programs. This credit union has funded the Tommy Chappell Scholarship for Academic Excellence. In addition, for his work in this area, Pastor Chappell was the recipient of the 2006 Annie Vamper Helping Hands Award. This is a national award awarded by the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions; applicants from all over the country are considered.

Likewise, in 2006, Pastor Chappell and our congregation organized and developed the New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church Community Support Corporation. The mission of this corporation is to enhance the quality of life in the East Lake Community. Our vision is to develop a "community of choice" through excellence in education and affordable housing in our neighboring communities: East Lake, Brown Springs and Gate City. Through this effort we have established community programs such as the Rising Stars Educational Enrichment Program to promote and provide educational, cultural, recreational, spiritual and personal enrichment for school-age children, ages 5-14. Our educational enrichment program has developed to a full year long program. We are providing a needed service for parents in the community with programs such as our summer and holiday camps and our after school enrichment program. In 2009, the City of Birmingham recognized Pastor Chappell for his exemplary programs for young people with the Faith in Our Future Award.

There have been many pastors, ministers and evangelists who have been mentored by Pastor Chappell. To date, he has licensed, subsequent to their divine calling, some 19 ministers; many of whom have gone on to pastoral leadership in other ministries.

Pastor Chappell and our congregation have now completed their "Building the Dream" project. This is a 30,000 square feet Christian family life center, which opened December of 2002. With God as the captain, this 3 million dollars modern facility (featuring classrooms, gymnasium with walking track, senior citizen recreational room, library, bookstore, computer room and fitness room with state of the art nautilus equipment,) was paid in full (no loans, no mortgages-no debt!) upon completion. This is a testimony to his teachings on tithes and offerings and trusting and obeying God.

Pastor Chappell has many educational achievements, including a Bachelors of Theology, from the Birmingham Baptist Bible College. An Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree was bestowed him by the Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College. He is a nationwide lecturer on church building, ministry development and tithing. The Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College Alumni named him Outstanding Businessman, Builder and Supporter of Christian Educator of the Year for 2002. He serves on various community and civic boards to improve the quality of life of people.

Pastor Chappell indeed loves the Lord. The work of the Lord is his first and foremost interest. He is a dedicated Pastor who preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Chappell’s messages are geared to the edification of the believers and to turning lost souls to Christ.

Pastor Chappell is married to Loretha Matt Chappell. They now have over 50 years of marital bliss. Also, he and Mrs. Chappell are the dedicated and proud parents of four adult children: Agnes, Tommy, Pam and Chris.

Pastor Chappell is a profound leader and shepherd, a great builder, and a compassionate man of God.