Bill Choate
NASHVILLE — William “Bill” Choate, a longtime leader of Baptist Collegiate Ministry in Tennessee whose influence shaped generations of college students, died Dec. 19 at age 67.
Choate served Tennessee Baptists through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board for 42 years. His ministry included roles as associate campus minister at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1984–89); campus minister at Vanderbilt University (1989–99); and director of collegiate ministries for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (1999–2025).
“Bill never wavered from a vision that Baptist Collegiate Ministry is built on the foundation of evangelism, discipleship, missions, leadership development and local church engagement,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “It is impossible to comprehend the impact he’s had on the lives of thousands of young people throughout his faithful ministry. His was a life well lived and certainly an example to us all.”
Choate was born Feb. 26, 1958, in Inglewood, Calif. His father was a minister, and Choate’s childhood included time in Texas, Missouri and across Tennessee. He graduated from Christian Brothers University in Memphis and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Drew University.
Under Choate’s leadership, Tennessee Baptist Collegiate Ministry expanded significantly, with collegiate ministry specialists and staff serving more than two dozen state universities, private colleges and universities, and community colleges. In 2024 alone, more than 21,000 students connected with BCM through intentional ministry initiatives. Of those, 3,300 were actively involved in weekday activities, many focused on discipleship. More than 550 students participated in leadership development, 165 expressed a call to vocational ministry, 640 engaged in short-term missions, and 120 came to faith in Christ and were baptized in local churches.
In June, Choate passed leadership of the state BCM director role to Stacy Murphree, one of his protégés and longtime collegiate ministry specialist at Austin Peay State University.
“I am so grateful for Bill’s gospel-centered, steady leadership style that has impacted so many lives,” Murphree said. “For our Tennessee BCM team, we never doubted that he had our backs, and he trusted us to do the work God called us to. When I think of Bill’s ministry legacy, I think of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians that ‘we are Christ’s ambassadors.’ Bill was an ambassador for Christ, for Tennessee Baptists and for Baptist Collegiate Ministry.”
Choate was an integral part of the national Baptist Collegiate State Directors Association and most recently served as the organization’s president. He also led the TBMB’s Issachar Team during the COVID-19 season; served nearly three years as TBMB Harvest Field 3 leader; chaired a committee on the TBMB Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Task Force; and served for many years as staff liaison to the TBMB Collegiate Ministries Committee and liaison to the Tennessee Baptist Convention Historical and Resolutions committees.
Beyond his professional service, Choate was deeply involved at Brentwood Baptist Church, where he and his wife, Jennifer, were longtime members. Many described him as “a rock of his community and family.”
Choate was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Dorothy Choate. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; children and grandchildren Hannah Choate (Austin Carr), Molly Gaines (Ryan), Ben Wishart (Hannah), Meg Wishart, Alice Carr, Luke Carr and Thomas Gaines; sisters Leslee O’Kelly, Kelley Aur (Didier) and Carole Blankenship (Jeff); and several nieces and nephews.
Choate is remembered as a steady leader whose life reflected a deep commitment to Christ, the local church and the next generation of believers.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at Brentwood Baptist Church, followed by a private ceremony in Baskin Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tennessee Baptist Collegiate Ministries through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board giving page or by scanning the accompanying QR code. A link to Choate’s full obituary is available at the link provided here.
