First Seventh-day Adventist Church · 3263 Tom Austin Hwy · Springfield, TN 37172
About Us
Pastor Tina Carriger
Pastor Tina Carriger (pronounced care-i-gher) was born and raised in Lincoln, NE. She is the oldest of 3 children. It was never her dream or desire to be a pastor, but when God calls you either respond or live in disobedience. After much wrestling with the idea, Pastor Carriger responded to God’s call on her life to be a pastor and obtained her Bachelors in Theology degree from Southern Adventist University in 2014.
She then became the first woman to be sponsored to Andrews Theological Seminary, by the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. She obtained her Masters in Divinity in December 2016. In January 2017, she joined the Oakwood University Church Pastoral Staff where she served for 2 1/2 years under the leadership of Dr. Carlton P. Byrd.
On June 23, 2019, the South Central Conference Executive Committee voted to place Pastor Carriger as the Senior Pastor of the First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Springfield, TN, making her the first female pastor of the church.
Pastor Carriger and her family are excited to serve. She is married to Lyndon Carriger, an Independent Christian Recording Artist. Their union has produced 3 beautiful and talented children who love the Lord: Olivia, Braxton, and Benjamin. Jesus is coming soon and Pastor Carriger wants to be ready when He comes.
Teryna Edwards - Head Elder
Elder Teryna D. Edwards is a native Nashvillian who has been serving in the ministry for well over 29 years. In 1989, he accepted the call of God into the gospel ministry and was licensed at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Nashville, TN on March 25, 1990.
He transitioned to the First Seventh Day Adventist Church of Springfield, TN in 1992, where he was subsequently ordained as an Elder. In conjunction with serving as an Elder at First Church, he has served as Family Life Director, Youth Director, Men’s Ministry Director and Building Committee Chairman.
Elder Edwards is an 11 year veteran of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserves. He has been employed for over 21 years at HCA Healthcare, where he serves as a Consulting Systems Engineer.
He is delightfully married to his lovely wife, Teresa Lynne, to whom he has been married for over 29 years. They have three beautiful daughters and four grandchildren.
Pastor Kennedy Luckett - Elder
Pastor Kennedy Luckett was born and reared in Canton, Mississippi. He is a graduate of Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, and was ordained to the ministry in 1993. He is a recent graduate of Southern Adventist University.
He has pastored churches in Canton, Yazoo City, Belzoni, Rolling Fork, MS., Nashville TN, and Lousiville KY.
Pastor Luckett enjoys walking, cycling, reading, great ties, and good music. He has two daughters: Judith, and Nadia. Since September of 2004, he has been happily married to the former Veronica Bass of Nashville, TN.
He is presently the Associate Ministerial Director of South Central Conference.