The Mitch Rhymer family Photo submitted [Click to enlarge]

BERRYVILLE -- John Emmette Mitchell Rhymer has accepted a call to be the preacher at Berrvyille Church of Christ.

"Mitch" was born in Atlanta, Ga. After graduation from high school, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, and then served an additional three years in the Army.

He served in the 101st Airborne Division and was honorably discharged. He then decided to attend the Memphis School of Preaching in Memphis, Tenn.

It was during his studies in Memphis to become a minister that he met Tracy, who had just completed her college education at Drury University in Springfield, Mo. After graduation, Tracy moved back to her hometown of Memphis to work with foster children with behavioral and emotional disorders.

The two were married on Dec. 21, 2002. Rhymer graduated from the Memphis School of Preaching in the spring of 2003. After graduation, the couple moved to Griffin, Ga., to minister at the Hill Street church of Christ. They served the congregation for a year before moving to Amory, Miss., where they served at the New Hope church of Christ.

Rhymer completed his masters in philosophy in the spring of 2008 from the University of Mississippi, and was asked to come to Berryville to serve the community and congregation.

The couple has three children that they adopted from the child welfare system, and are expecting their first biological child, a daughter, in August.