Grace Christian Academy is proud to celebrate alumnus Collin Campbell (Class of 2021) as he steps into full-time ministry, recently being ordained and serving as the Youth and Families Pastor at First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg.
Collin attended Grace Christian Academy from kindergarten through 12th grade, where he was actively involved in football, track, ensemble, and the drama department. More importantly, it was during his time at Grace that his faith began to take deeper root.
Through strong friendships and intentional mentorship, including guidance from Bryan Thomas, Collin experienced a pivotal spiritual shift during his junior year. It was then that he felt the Lord clearly calling him into student ministry, specifically to walk alongside teenagers as they navigate life’s biggest questions.
“I began to have a love for the Lord like I had never experienced,” Collin shared. “That’s when I knew I was being called to ministry.”
After graduating from GCA in 2021, Collin attended Carson-Newman University, where he continued to grow both academically and spiritually. While there, he walked onto the football team as a long snapper and pursued a dual degree in Biblical & Theological Studies and Psychology, graduating in spring 2024.
During his time at Carson-Newman, Collin also met his wife, Meredith. The two were married in July 2024, marking the beginning of a new season both personally and professionally.
That same month, Collin accepted a position at First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg, where he had previously served as an intern. Following his recent ordination, he now serves as the church’s Youth and Families Pastor, faithfully leading and discipling the next generation.
Looking ahead, Collin is currently completing his Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary and plans to continue his education by pursuing a Ph.D.Collin credits both Grace Christian Academy and Grace Baptist Church with laying the foundation for his life and ministry.
“Grace was really fundamental to who I was and who I am now,” he said. “The education I received prepared me for ministry, and I still use what I learned every day. The friendships I built there have continued to this day.”
His story is a powerful reminder of the eternal impact of Christ-centered education and the importance of investing in the next generation.
We are proud to call Collin a GCA alumnus and celebrate the work God is doing through his life and ministry.
Grace Christian Academy offers an academically challenging and distinctly Christian education for students in PreK-12th grade, featuring a diverse range of arts and athletics programs for each season.
Haylee Jordan is the Executive Director of Development at Grace Christian Academy. She can be reached at haylee.jordan@gcarams.org.
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