I was introduced to Christ by my parents and as a child I accepted HIM as my Lord and Savior. Upon graduation from High School, I enlisted into the Air Force and later became a Commissioned Officer. I look back now and realize God used my Air Force career as a catalyst for professional development and spiritual growth. One of my Air Force assignments moved my family and me to the Montgomery, Alabama area where we joined a local church. It was during this time I went on a mission trip to the Czech Republic and after returning felt God’s call into the ministry. In obedience to that call, in 2005 I was licensed and ordained in the Gospel Ministry and enrolled into seminary. The Air Force eventually moved us again and I simultaneously performed my military duty and served as the Youth Pastor at Trinity Baptist in Vacaville, California. Yet another assignment led us to Kleine Brogel, Belgium where there was no full time, English-speaking pastor. Realizing God had given me another opportunity to minister, I became the Unit Chaplain in addition to being the Deputy Commander. In 2011 I gave up my combat boots for full-time ministry. Since retiring from the Air Force, I have served as Associate Pastor at Thelma Baptist Church, Wetumpka, AL and now I have the honor and very great privelage of serving as Pastor to the awesome people of First Baptist Church Reeltown. I have been married to my awesome wife Dawn for 28 years and we have one son, Zach, who is 23 years old and is a recent graduate of Auburn University.
A funny little fact about me is that Camels give me the creeps. Just look at them! They have this weird “I can’t be trusted look about them!” I love anything to do with the outdoors and agriculture. I enjoy hunting, fishing, the lake and playing in the dirt.
The things I treasure the most are God’s grace and the love of my beautiful wife and awesome son. I’m honored to be the Chaplain for the Reeltown Rebels Football Team. I love the drive of the student athletes and the opportunity to spend time with them and the chance to pour into them.
My favorite Scripture is:
Revelation 3:8 (NLT) 8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.
Take the time in this busy life to know God’s will for you. How has HE wired you? What are you good at? What are your Spiritual gifts? What has HE given you a passion to do? Once you understand these things I believe our lives are a lot more focused . It’s easier to say “yes” to what’s really important and say “no” to the things that aren’t.
My name is Tanner Rowell, and I am from a small town in South Alabama called Citronelle. God called me into the ministry at the age of sixteen. While I was unsure about the plan God had for my life, I knew that following His path for my life was the best decision I could ever make. I have been in the ministry for about eight years now, and I am so thankful that God has given me the opportunity to preach His gospel.
My wife, Adrianna, and I have been married for almost two years. In my free time, I enjoy watching Alabama football, hunting, fishing, and spending time with my beautiful wife! It is a blessing to serve as the Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church of Reeltown.
My favorite scripture is Joshua 1:9. The scripture reads as follows: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
“In My Heart There Rings a Melody”… I love this hymn and I think it’s so true in my life.
For as far back as I can remember I have loved music… all kinds of music.
I discovered that I could carry a tune by singing along with one of my mom’s country
records. I always loved to sing in the choir at church and loved it even more when I
realized not everyone was - or needed to be - a soprano... I was definitely an alto. I joined a
country band as a teenager and even sang a little rock and roll in days gone by. I learned
to read music in the 5 th grade at Reeltown Elementary School (How I wish music
instruction was mandatory in school!). That led to being in the high school band and that
led to being drum major of the band. Direction of the band was good experience and led to
being able to fill in and direct the church choir at times when the choir director was away.
I do not have any formal musical training but feel God gave me these experiences to guide
me to the Worship Leader position at First Baptist Church, Reeltown.
My husband, David, and I have been members of FBCR since 2013. David serves the
church body as a deacon and together we lead a wonderful small group called ReelPeople
(because we are all Real People, seeking and serving a very Real God!) We have 6 sons
between us; 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grands. We are both retired from the US Postal
Service and love to travel. We also love living in the Reeltown area… it is such a special
place!
Serving as Worship Leader for FBCR is truly one of God’s greatest blessings for me. It is a
position filled with joy but also awesome responsibility. I strive to lead our congregation in
music that will touch their souls and encourage them in their personal time of worship. I
believe God’s messages for us - and our praises to Him - can be found in all genres of music
so we do a mix of hymns, gospel and contemporary music. As I mentioned before, I love
them all!
Come… join us in praise and share the melody that’s ringing in your heart!
My favorite bible verse is Psalm 37:4 (NIV) Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you
the desires of your heart. To delight means to “take great pleasure in”. What could be
more simple than that? If I take pleasure in my God and Creator and all He has done for
me, He will bless me even more? That’s the way I read it. Of course, I think there is more
to it. As I take pleasure in my God, I want Him to take pleasure in what He sees in my life.
For that to happen, I need to be in His word and loving people by spreading His word of
salvation. The “desire of my heart” would be to see each member of my family accept
Christ as their Savior and “delight” in the abundant earthly and unimaginable eternal life
that brings!
It is such an honor to serve as the Children's Ministry Director for First Baptist Church Reeltown. I am a Reeltown native, graduating from RHS in 2003. My husband Kevin and I have two boys and we love to travel. I am a teacher and I enjoy writing, illustrating, and gardening in my free time.
My favorite scripture is Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
