POWELL, Tenn. — The founder of Crown College, a Christian school in Powell that was established in 1991, has died. Clarence Sexton was also the pastor of Temple Baptist Church, also located in Powell. He was 75 years old and died on Dec. 12.
Family members will receive friends between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., as well as 5:30 p.m. thorugh 6:45 p.m. on Dec. 20 at Temple Baptist Church. Sexton's funeral service will take place at around 7 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the same location. Graveside services have not yet been announced.
He was born on Oct. 10, 1948, and was the oldest of four children, according to his obituary. At 14 years old, he started attending the First Baptist Church in Maryville and eventually met the pastor there, according to his obituary.
He first preached to a congregation at the Oak Street Baptist Church in Maryville and in 1969 became pastor at Greenback Memorial Baptist Church. He then graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in education, before completing a masters of religious education and a doctorate of ministry.
In 1972, he became pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Lenoir City and began a bus ministry. He then started attending Temple Baptist Seminary in 1975 in Chattanooga.
In 1988, the pulpit committee of the Temple Baptist Church first contacted him to be their pastor, according to his obituary and became the church's pastor that same year. Early on, he started a Bible club ministry in Powell public schools.
In 1991, he also founded The Crown College and welcomed 69 students through its doors from 14 states.
"In the fall of 2001, Pastor led the church to purchase 15 new buses by faith. These buses are used weekly to bring the boys and girls of Greater Knoxville to hear the gospel of Christ. Over 200 missionaries participate in the effort of this local assembly to take the Good News to every creature," his obituary said.
The Sexton family also released a statement about his death on social media. It is available below.
"Our beloved Pastor’s faith has now become sight. He is in heaven in the arms of his Saviour.
Our church family has been wonderful over the last several months by showing your concern for us, praying for us, encouraging us, and expressing your love to us.
We respectfully ask that you would give Mrs. Sexton and the family the time they need to process and grieve their loss before you reach out with compassion and understanding.
Pastor Sexton loved the families of the church, college, and academy. He could not wait to get back to see everyone, and though we prayed for his healing on earth, God has chosen to provide his healing in heaven.
God’s ways are above our ways, and though our hearts are hurting, we choose to believe that God is still good.
The family is grateful that he is in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ where there is no sickness or sorrow.
Funeral arrangements will be made in the coming days and we will keep you updated.
There is no way that we can adequately express our thanks for your love and prayers at this time. God is with us, and we trust Him to help us in the days to come."