Carson-Newman honors Long Hollow Pastor with inaugural Ken Sparks Award

Carson-Newman Vice President for Church Relations and Campus Ministries Jonathan Akin, left, presents Dr. Robby Gallaty with the University’s inaugural Ken Sparks Award. Along with a certificate, Gallaty was given an Eagles football helmet in honor of C-N’s legendary coach whose name the award bears.

Carson-Newman University presented Long Hollow Church Senior Pastor Robby Gallaty with the inaugural Ken Sparks Award during its Alumni and Friends Dinner November 16 at Brentwood Baptist Church.

“It is such a pleasure to honor Dr. Gallaty with this award,” said Carson-Newman President Charles A. Fowler. “His commitment to ‘making disciples who make disciples’ is having a tremendous impact for the Kingdom. His journey and his passion of serving the Lord are truly inspiring. Ken Sparks’ legacy prioritizes evangelism, discipleship, and Christ-centered excellence. Dr. Gallaty certainly embodies all of those.”

Named for long-time Carson-Newman football coach Ken Sparks, the award recognizes pastors or lay people within the church who exemplify the traits of the legendary coach.

“God has done a tremendous work through Dr. Gallaty’s leadership at Long Hollow,” said Dr. Jonathan Akin, vice president for Church Relations and Campus Ministries. “Since December 2020 they have seen more than 1,500 baptisms. Dr. Gallaty also founded Replicate, a ministry designed specifically to prepare local churches in executing a discipleship strategy. This effort has led to the training of more than 1,000 pastors in how to implement this critical need.”

Gallaty has served as senior pastor of Long Hollow in Hendersonville since 2015. He and his wife Kandi have two sons, Rig and Ryder.

Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is a Christian liberal arts-based university affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The University is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Carson-Newman offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.