Johnny Collins

After graduation I went to Chatta. State for one year. Then Gwen & I married in Nov. 1968. Gwen graduated from East Ridge High School. Outside of my Salvation Gwen is the best thing that ever have happened to me. She has been my loving wife, my helper and a great mother to our children for all these years and I am so blessed. I was drafted in 1969 took basis & ait then went to Viet Nam from March 1970 to Feb 1971. Stayed in U.S. Army. Spent one year at Ft. Benning, Ga. Infantry School. Went to Germany for 3 years. Returned to Ft. Dix, N.J. for 3 years as Drill Instructor. I got out on July 22, 1977 rank E-6 Staff Sgt. I returned to Chatta. to work. (Let me interject here that on Feb 25, 1970 I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. I know this may be a SHOCK to some of you but it was the greatest day in my life.) In May 1978 I started Summer School at Tennessee Temple Bible School. I graduated in Aug 1982 from the Bible school. In July 1984, after raising my personal family financial support, left for Hove, England as missionaries. We remained in England for 8 years then returned to Florida. Worked in a church in Fla. for one year then became pastor of Baptist Church in Va. During this time I completed my Bachelor of Ministry, Master of Ministry and Doctrate of Ministry degrees. I was pastor of a Baptist church in Chatta. for 9 years and then came to Elliston, Va. I am now pastor of Seneca Baptist Church. This church is just outside Blacksburg, Va.

Gwen and I had been married for 58 years and the Lord has been so good to us.
Hello to everyone!
I left the pastorate at Seneca Baptist in Elliston, Va on Sept 2024 to continue being Gwen's caregiver. I have been taking care of her for the past five years. On Mrach 24, 2025 the Lord took my sweetheart home to heaven. It has been a very difficult time for me, my four children, 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Then on Nov 15, 2025 the Lord took our oldest daughter, Kristy age 54, to her heavenly home.
Just a short update on what has been happening in my life.

I enjoyed my 3 years at CHS. I met and made many friends and am still in contact with a few. It seemed to me that the class of "67" was a come together class that cared for each other. I have many great memories to numerous to mention.

Gwen and I hope to made one of the reunions in the future.