By Julie Ray
Brian Carlisle is a product of Bartlett. He was born and raised in Bartlett attending Alturia grade school and graduating from Bartlett High School. Carlisle went into the heating and cooling trade upon graduation. Carlisle created a stable family structure with his wife Melinda and their three children. The oldest child, Kelsey is a senior at Macon Road, Blake and Cody are in the 8th and 4th grade respectively at Arlington Middle school.
An accomplished tradesman and family man, Carlisle led a settled life until six years ago. It was at this time, according to his father Tommy Carlisle, that Brian received a higher calling. Following that calling, Brian and his family moved to Akron, Ohio where he became the youth pastor at a local church for two years. An opportunity opened up to return closer to his native Bartlett. Brian seized this opportunity to serve at a church in Olive Branch for a year and a half before he was approached by Brother Danny at Faith Baptist Bartlett two years ago.
Growth at Faith Baptist Bartlett created a need to open a church in a nearby area. Brian was asked to serve a new church in Arlington. Faith Baptist Arlington began with a total of 40 members. Growth in the last two years has seen an increase to a 300 plus membership and two Sunday services at the Arlington church. Tommy, proud of his son, attributes this growth not only to the leadership skills of Brian, but also to the increasing number of young families in the area.
Recognition of need, opportunity, and leadership has proven to be an asset to the community that Brian serves.
