Travis Tyler

Senior Pastor | Author | Bible Teacher

Pastor Travis Tyler has served as Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Elizabethton, Tennessee, since October 2013. His greatest joy in ministry comes from seeing lives transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, whether through the miracle of salvation or the quiet, daily work of God's grace as believers grow in faithfulness to Christ and His church.

Travis came to faith in Jesus Christ in June 1993, when his pastor shared the gospel with him through the book of Romans. During his freshman year of college, while reading Paul's account of his sufferings for the gospel in 2 Corinthians 11:24–28, Travis sensed God's call to preach. He could not escape the overwhelming reality of God's love for sinners and the urgent need to call people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

That calling continues to shape his ministry today.

A Preacher of God's Word

Travis approaches preaching with a simple conviction: God's Word changes lives. He primarily preaches expositionally, working through Scripture verse by verse, seeking to explain the meaning of the biblical text and help people apply its truth to everyday life.

He looks to Jesus Christ, the greatest preacher, as his model. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus communicated profound truth with remarkable clarity, exposed the idols of the human heart, revealed our desperate need for grace, and called people to follow Him. Travis desires that same clarity, conviction, and pastoral concern in his own preaching.

Above all, he wants people to know that Jesus Christ reigns supreme in this life and the next. A hundred lifetimes could never exhaust the joy, gratitude, and peace found in knowing Him through His Word.

A Pastor's Heart

After more than 25 years in ministry, Travis has learned that success in ministry cannot simply come down to attendance, programs, or numbers. God calls pastors and churches to faithfulness to His Word.

He loves the local church and considers it a tremendous privilege to shepherd God's people through life's joys, sorrows, struggles, and victories. His pastoral experience includes hospital chaplaincy, grief ministry, and helping people navigate difficult relationships through biblical peacemaking.

What does he love most about Grace Baptist Church? The people's love for the LORD and for one another.

Writing for the Pew, Not the Ivory Tower

In addition to pastoring, Travis founded Faithfully Entrusted Press, a Christian publishing ministry committed to helping churches make disciples through biblically faithful, accessible resources.

After decades of pastoral ministry, he recognized a need for resources that address the everyday challenges pastors encounter as they shepherd God's people. Guided by 2 Timothy 2:2, Faithfully Entrusted Press seeks to equip believers who can faithfully entrust God's truth to others.

Travis describes his approach to writing simply: "I write for the pew, not the ivory tower."

His goal doesn't center on impressing scholars or denominational leaders. He writes to help God's sheep hear His voice in Scripture and walk more closely with Jesus Christ.

Among his books, Little Hearts, Big Emotions holds a special place in his heart. Drawing from his experience as a preschool teacher and his undergraduate studies in human development and learning, Travis developed this resource to help families walk alongside young children through grief.

Education and Family

A native of East Tennessee, Travis earned his Bachelor of Science from East Tennessee State University, his Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry in Church Revitalization from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Before coming to Grace, he served in youth and children's ministry and in pastoral ministry at First Southern Baptist Church in Floyds Knobs, Indiana.

Travis and his wife, Becki, have three children: Asher, Adalynn, and Xander. Outside of ministry, he enjoys fishing, writing, Tennessee Volunteers football, traveling, and discovering new places and foods. His family would probably tell you that he also finds humor in places where most people wouldn't think to look.

A Personal Invitation

"If you're considering visiting Grace Baptist Church, I would love for you to join us for Sunday School and worship. I often think of church life this way: the more you invest in the fellowship, worship, and life of the church, the more opportunities you'll discover to grow and encourage others.

You won't find perfect people at Grace. You'll find people who need the grace of a perfect Savior. Come worship with us, open God's Word with us, and get to know a church family that loves the LORD and one another.

I look forward to meeting you!"

Pastor Travis

Explore books and discipleship resources through Faithfully Entrusted Press, or discover more of Travis's writing on his Amazon author page.