[1]NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Todd Starnes has been named a staff writer for Baptist Press, the Southern Baptist Convention’s official news service, according to Herb Hollinger, vice president for convention news with the SBC Executive Committee.
Starnes, 31, was minister to students at First Baptist Church, Dayton, Tenn., from January to October of last year. He previously was an assignment editor and producer at WTVC Newschannel 9 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
His newspaper background includes writing on the regional news team of the Chattanooga Times and as a staff writer at the Fulton County (Ga.) Daily Report and the News-Observer, Blue Ridge, Ga. In his print journalism work, he handled political and investigative assignments.
He wrote his first news story at age 14 for a weekly newspaper in Louisiana.
Starnes has earned several journalism awards, including two for editorial writing from the Georgia Press Association.
Two books of youth plays by Starnes have been published by White Wing Publishing House and he has also been published in “Let’s Worship” and other publications of LifeWay Christian Resources of the SBC.
[2]A lifelong Southern Baptist, Starnes accepted Christ at the age of 10. He is actively involved in local and statewide Southern Baptist work. In 1997, he served on the executive committee for the Tennessee Youth Evangelism Conference and in 1999 he served on a statewide committee to plan the TBC’s Super Summer.
In 2000, Starnes has been invited to teach a class on junior high youth drama at the Tennessee State Dramatic Arts Festival.
Starnes also has been active in Southern Baptist mission work. He has worked with four World Changers mission trips through the North American Mission Board and has participated in SBC urban ministries in New Orleans.
Starnes, who will join Baptist Press’ staff Jan. 4, will work under the direction of Hollinger and BP editor Art Toalston. Starnes has worked at BP on a freelance basis since Dec. 13.
During the fall, Tammy Rosson joined Baptist Press’ staff as office coordinator.
Rosson had worked three years at Corrections Corporation of America’s headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., before joining BP’s staff Oct. 25. From 1988-96, she worked in various full- and part-time positions at Brentwood (Tenn.) Baptist Church. She is a 1992 graduate of Belmont University, Nashville, and, with her husband, Billy, attends Nashville’s Judson Baptist Church.