OUR STAFF
Senior Pastor - Marc Sasser
Marc Sasser is the senior pastor at Hillcrest Baptist Church. He has been in ministry for 40 years while serving in multiple positions within local Baptist denominations. Marc is from Pensacola, Florida originally but has lived in Knoxville, Tennessee since 1999. He attended Mobile College and New Orleans Seminary. He was married to Laura Sasser for nearly 40 years before Laura went home to be with Jesus. His family consists of two sons and their wives, Richard and Danielle Sasser and Jeremy and Tyran Sasser. He is a proud grandparent to Emma and Bradon. Pastor Marc has a genuine calling to serve Christ in His local church and around the world.
Worship Leader - Lee Allen Dalton
Lee Allen Dalton was called as worship leader at Hillcrest Baptist Church in June of 2023. He comes with almost 20 years’ experience as a worship leader and a minister of music and accompanist. He was saved at the age of 7 during Vacation Bible School at Lebanon Baptist Church, and later when he was 9 years old, followed in believer’s baptism at First Baptist Church, Morristown where a few years later he was called to serve in music ministry. He is also the choir director at Lakeway Christian Academy where he leads the Middle School and High School Choir and teaches at Cornerstone Christian Academy teaching Kindergarten, First Grade, and 4th Grade Choir. He is in his 9th year teaching in Christian Education. He is married to his wife Stacie, and they have 3 children, Nathan, Carson, and Elizabeth. Stacie is a registered nurse at UT Medical Center, and Nathan and Carson attend Cornerstone Christian Academy.
Preschool - Kathy Bolger
Children’s Director - Tessie Crawford
Tessie Crawford is the Children’s Ministry leader at Hillcrest Baptist Church. She is married to Link Crawford, who assists her in this ministry. Tessie was saved at a young age in Vacation Bible School. Tessie states that God placed a love and calling on her heart to work with children long before she recognized or understood it. She has worked in Early Childhood Education professionally for more than twenty years. Tessie feels blessed to serve in the children’s ministry at Hillcrest, and counts it is a privilege to share and grow in God’s word with the children. Link and Tessie have two adult sons, Isaiah and Micah Crawford, who faithfully attend and serve at Hillcrest as well.
“Children are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” – Psalms 127:3
Church Secretary - Bethany Carpenter
Bethany Carpenter was raised in Talbott with Magna View as her home church until marriage to Keith Carpenter. She started her personal walk with Jesus at the age of 9 and was baptized in 1994. After graduating Carson Newman with a degree in Human Services and Psychology, she spent four years as a county coordinator with YOKE Youth ministries. She married her husband Keith in 2009, and they lived in Smyrna/Murfreesboro for about 5 years. After a few moves (Chattanooga, Lynchburg, VA, and Maryville) and three children, and a few years in property management and as a stay at home mom, the family has settled in Morristown. She considers herself blessed to have been on numerous domestic and international mission trips including to China, Honduras, Costa Rica, Alaska, and War, West Virginia. While she loves being part of church related missions, she is trying to remember her family is her first mission field. Her son is Bray, and two daughters are McKenzie and Chloe. She loves Christian music, occasional crafting, reading, and being a chauffeur for all the family activities. She considers herself an introvert who likes long conversations, so if you come into the office, let her know if you don’t have time to chat!
Among her favorite and most quoted verses are “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) and “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3).