Brenda and Brian met when she was a sophomore in high school. They dated three years.  After his graduation he joined the Army and a year later after her graduation, they were married in 1983.  At that time Brenda felt they were too young and wild for anything good to come of their marriage.
   
Six months into their marriage, the Army sent them to Panama where Brian’s bother was also stationed.  He invited them to a small missionary Baptist church and Brian received Christ the first time he heard the Gospel.  All the Gospel messages Brenda heard as a child came rushing back and God told her it was time for her to decide.  She says, “I don’t know if I was saved as a child, but I do know that my life changed when I surrendered to Him in November 1985.”

1988 was an eventful year for the Nulf family.  They received orders to Ft. Bragg where Brian started his Special Forces training and Brenda was expecting their first child, Eric.  Berean was the second church they visited, and they knew after two services that this would be their new church home even though it was much larger than their church in Panama.  They felt welcome and the Lord blessed their lives for the next 20 years.
 
Brian’s Army career progressed very well.  Their family also grew dramatically as Brenda gave birth to twin daughters, Kimberly and Kelly in 1991.  Brenda knows it may sound strange to some people, but she is grateful that she has been able to raise her children in a military town called Fayetteville, North Carolina.  She served as Records Secretary for ten years at Berean Baptist Academy until becoming Brian’s secretary in 2005. 

A short time before Brian was to retire, he began to really seek the Lord in what he was to do.  He finished his business degree and they both thought he would do something in the business world, but the Lord had different plans.  During that year Brian told Brenda he was willing to do whatever God wanted him to do.  From that moment on, she knew God was going to call him to do something for Him.  Shortly after that time, the senior pastor of 34 years called them into his office and asked if Brian would be willing to come on staff at the church.  He served on staff until accepting the call to Mt. Zion Baptist. 

Brenda says in regard to her new role, “I’m beginning to adjust to my role as “Pastor’s Wife.” I really don’t think many people view me that way, however. I’m looking forward to getting to know my new church family. My desire is to serve along with the ladies at Mt. Zion.  I’m happy to be Brian’s wife and Kim, Kelly and Eric’s Mom.  That is the biggest blessing of my life.”        

Ministry Staff: Associate Pastor

Pastor Bud Pate is retired from Boones Creek Baptist Church as of July 2004. He held the pastoral position for twenty seven and one half years. Prior to that he was at Unicoi Baptist Church from June 1971 until December 1976. He also worked as a postman at Johnson City and was nicknamed the "Preaching Postman."

Pastor Pate has served as a volunteer chaplain at the Johnson City Medical Center for ten years, performed mission work in Jamaica for 18 years. Two churches in Jamaica have been started under Pastor Pate's direction. There is a Royal Ambassador Chapter named in his honor for so many years of mission work with the Jamaican people. This chapter is the only one in the West Indies and is called "The Church of Deliverance" in Hanover, Hopewell Jamaica West Indies.

He served for six months at Cherry Grove Baptist Church in Jonesborough, TN from March 2006 to September 2006. Pastor Pate describes this time "as one of the most fruitful" of his ministry. Baptizing approximately 30 people and many as joining members.

He was interim pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN from September 2007 until May 2008.

He was interim pastor at Mt Zion Baptist Church from June 2008 until March 2009, at which time he accepted the Associate Pastor position at Mt Zion.

Married to Helen Jarrett Pate for 54 years as of November 2, 2008. He has one son, Steve, who is pastor of Harmony Baptist Church. Two daughters, Cindy Harris of Unicoi and Dr. Elaine Pugh of Johnson City. Seven grand children and six great grand children. His reason for retiring was because of his health. At the present he is filling in for pastors on vacation and is available for one, three or four day revivals or Supply Pastor.

Pastor Pate answered the call to preach in January 1969. He was saved in October 1960 at Parris Island, South Carolina where he was a drill sergeant. Pastor Pate is a survivor of the battle of Khe Sanh combat base during the TET Offensive of 1968, which was the nearest American Base to North Vietnam. This was the longest battle of the Vietnam War. He lost his right arm in the Vietnam War on Mothers Day May 12, 1968. He and his wife Helen live at 126 Crockett Court, Gray, TN. Phone Number: 282-1667.

Ministry Staff: Secretary

Support Staff

Volunteer Staff