Our Staff

Rev. John Stuart

  I was born in Glasgow, Scotland. My father was a Presbyterian and my mother was a Roman Catholic, so I’ve always been ecumenical at heart. As my two sisters and three brothers grew up, our mom would take us to the nearest church wherever we lived in Glasgow, no matter what denomination it was. This meant we worshiped in Church of Scotland congregations, Evangelical missions, Methodist churches, and even the Salvation Army for a couple of weeks.

  After graduating from high school and dealing with alcoholism, I eventually returned to the Church of Scotland in 1977 and “gave my heart to Jesus” at a young people’s Gospel Club in one of the oldest churches in Glasgow’s City Center. Two years later, I started to attend the Divinity Faculty at Glasgow University as a candidate for ministry in the Church of Scotland. After four years, I received my Bachelor of Divinity degree in Old Testament Studies. I then completed two more years of post-graduate studies, specializing in community ministry.

  In 1981, I married my wife Evelyn, who was an elementary school teacher, and we have two daughters who are married, and we have two grandchildren. Our eldest daughter, Lynsey, lives with her husband and son in Pensacola, Fla. Our youngest daughter Lauren lives in Knoxville with her husband and daughter.

  I became the parish minister of Maybole West Church linked with Fisherton in 1986. The churches were located in South Ayrshire. Our family spent nine years there.

  In June 1995, I became the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. Evelyn and I were with the congregation for almost 29 years. I retired from Erin in December 2023.

  Over the years, I have written several e-books of short devotions for churches and different liturgical seasons. I also create liturgical coloring pages and bulletin covers based on the Sunday lectionary readings. Hundreds of churches across the world use my images for their services and children’s programs.

  Evelyn and I enjoy traveling and have been on several coach tours throughout Europe.

Before I retired, I completed Parts 1 & 2 of the Transitional Ministry Course, which is offered by our denomination. I hope to be of great service to the First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge during the current vacancy.

The Session

The Session is the council for the congregation. it shall have responsibility for governing the congregation and guiding its witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world, so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness. The Session is composed of 9 persons elected by the congregation to active service as ruling elders, together with the installed pastor.

Session Committees

Christian Education
Congregational Care and Welcome
Finance
Human Resources
Nominating
Property & Maintenance
Social Concerns
Worship