Marty shelton - pastor

Marty Shelton started TCAR 22 years ago and continues to serve as the Pastor. He is 52 years old and was formerly a full time Youth Pastor for 2 years. Marty ran track/cross country at the University of Tennessee for one year and continued running at Morehead State University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Marty has also been working on his Master of Divinity degree through Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has also worked in the past with the Tennessee Baptist Convention as a presenter/teacher of Basic Training for Church Planters to educate and equip new church planters as they go out to start new works across the state.


Marty has a strong passion for the local church and its mission to reach out to friends and neighbors and take the message of Jesus Christ to the world. He has a laid-back communication style that will make you feel at home but will challenge and inspire you to take your next step toward God.


Marty met Nickie after he graduated from college and have been married for 27 years. They have two sons and one daughter: Cole, Cale. and Amber. 

Family is very important to Marty and Nickie and the church. 


Contact: marty@thechurchatrutledge.org

nickie shelton - cHILDREN'S dIRECTOR/wORSHIP lEADER

Nickie serves part time as the Children’s Director and Worship Leader and believes that Sunday morning at TCAR should be the best time of a child’s week. Nickie has an Associates degree from Walter State Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Carson Newman College.


Contact: missnickie@thechurchatrutledge.org

Joseph and Callie Coleman- Youth Ministry Directors

Joseph and Callie serve part-time as the Youth Ministry Directors.  They desire for the TCAR Students Youth Group to be a place for youth to feel authentically loved by Christ and His church, to hear the true and unashamed gospel, and to be discipled as functional members of the body after conversion.  Joseph and Callie enjoy all the challenges and hilarity that comes with working with teenagers and believe that these years can be greatly utilized for the glory of God. 



Contact:  Joseph@thechurchatrutledge.org

                Callie@thechurchatrutledge.org

Bill and rITA hILLHOUSE - Small groups directors

Bill and Rita Hillhouse direct the Small Groups Ministry at TCAR.  They have a passion to get people connected in small groups where they learn, share, serve, grow spiritually, and minister together in community.

Bill retired after 42 years with Stowers Machinery as Information Services Manager.  

Rita is a Registered Nurse and works part-time in High Risk Perinatal Nursing at UT Medical Center and as a nursing consultant with Knox County Health Department.  

Bill and Rita are volunteer Law Enforcement Chaplains with Grainger County. They have been married for 50 years and have a son, Mason and grand-daughter, Meadow. 



Contact: rita@thechurchatrutledge.org

Deborah Torp- TeaMs Coordinator/ Support Staff

Deborah is a new face to Grainger County but brings with her a passion for connections.  She and her husband Aaron, a deacon at TCAR, were raised in Christian homes and have sought to do the same with their three children, Micah 21, Lukas 19, and Natalie 14.  She has a strong desire to see the church members grounded in the grace of the gospel and in turn carry that gospel into our community.  Deborah oversees our Teams, supports the TCAR office and keeps the TCAR wheel turning.  She's a friendly face who would love to help you find your ministry at TCAR!



Contact:  Deborah@thechurchatrutledge.org