Brett Ellefson has been called to serve as bishop (pastor) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Athens, Tn. A bishop is the leader of a local congregation known as a ward, “with duties similar to those of a pastor,” officials said. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the position of bishop is unpaid.
Bishop Ellefson moved from Freeport, Il. to Athens in 1985. As a youth, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement or rank possible in the Boys Scouts of America program. In 1998, he earned a BS in microbiology from Brigham Young University an MS in biotechnology from Northwestern University in 1999. He went to work for Abbott Laboratories in diagnostic operations and currently works for Abbott Laboratories in field sales. He has received awards five times for outstanding sales in his field.
He is married to Sara O’Bryan of Possum Trot, Ky., and they have six children. They also have a tiny farm, which includes chickens, ducks and turkeys.
Bishop Ellefson previously served a mission in Brazil, Curitiba for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has also served as ward mission leader, gospel doctrine teacher and in other callings, including young men’s presidency and elder’s quorum presidency. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a volunteer organization. Members do not seek callings and typically do not decline when called to serve.
Bishops serve about five years. Bishops “oversee the spiritual and social needs of their ward members” and helps others to follow Jesus Christ."