GAINESVILLE - Lakewood Baptist of Gainesville has named Jackson, Miss., native Gray Cole as its new high school pastor.<br />
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Cole earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi College. He is enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with an expected completion in 2017. He has worked in student ministries in Alabama and Mississippi since 2007 and was ordained in 2013.<br />
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"Gray will bring an exciting dimension of energy, a passion for high school students and a dedication to sound Biblical truths, "says Lakewood's senior pastor, Dr. Tom Smiley. "We expect him to draw students to a deeper walk of faith or to a new walk of faith with his dynamic personality and teaching style."<br />
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Cole added, "Lauren and I are ecstatic to be part of Lakewood and are blessed with such a diverse, active and Jesus-centered fellowship. I am excited to be part of such a vibrant youth group and plan to equip, love and serve alongside them to help produce spiritual maturity and longevity."<br />
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Cole will serve Lakewood's Fusion student ministry team headed by Jamie Willis.
