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Pastor Terry J. Towes

Rev. Terry J. Townes is the Pastor of Calvary Tremont Missionary Baptist Church. He is a native of Bluefield, West Virginia, and educated in both West Virginia, and the Columbus Public School System. Following Linden McKinley High School he entered the United States Marine Corps. His 21-year military career spanned Viet Nam and Desert Storm, of which he served in both. He received many military honors and awards, including the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal. After retirement from the military in 1991 he began working for the Private Industry Council of Columbus and Franklin County (PIC), and the PIC’s Summer Youth Program.

While employed by the (PIC) he transitioned into the Youth Opportunity Unlimited Program, a 2.7-million-dollar grant targeted for the South Linden community of Columbus to address the infant mortality rate, low birth weight, teen pregnancy rate, and high school dropout rate, which were the highest in Franklin County.

In addition to that grant, the community was awarded a $750,000 grant for the South Linden Development Project, designed to improve business recruitment, business retention, economic development, and housing in the Linden area. Out of the development project, Rev. Townes, along with other Linden community leaders founded the Greater Linden Development Corporation to spearhead and sustain development in the area. He became its first Executive Director.

Rev. Townes was called as Pastor of Calvary Tremont on March 14, 2021; he entered the ministry in February of 1997. He served as a Deacon at Macedonia Baptist Church prior to his call in the ministry. He received his initial biblical training at the Sunbury Road Bible Institute (SRBI) and the Eastern Union Bible College. He is a 1996 graduate of Leadership Ohio. Reverend Townes received his higher education at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, and holds a degree in Business Management.

He has served as Interim Pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church, and Calvary Tremont Baptist Church. He has served Calvary Tremont previously as Executive Pastor, Church Administrator, Vacation Bible School Director, and Sunday School Teacher. During his brief tenure at Calvary, he has facilitated the installation of two new HVAC units, and completely transformed the media ministry.

Rev. Townes has served in many capacities in the community, namely, Chairman, South Linden Area Commission, Chairman, South Linden CRA Advisory Council, Past Board Member United Way of Franklin County, Past Member of The Columbus Foundation’s Neighborhood Partnership Program, Past Board Member Saint Stephens Community House, Past member South Linden Leadership Group, and past Board member Columbus Neighborhood Housing Services.

He is married to Elder Joyce Townes and together they have four children, nine grandchildren, and 15 greatgrandchildren.