About Us

About Sheldon

Sheldon was born July 27th, 1949 in Rogersville to Jack H. Livesay and Mossie Rhea Livesay. He attended Rogersville schools, became an Eagle Scout with the distinguished God and County Award and was active in 4-H with 4-H All Stars.

He graduated High School in 1967 and attended Carson Newman College where he earned a degree in Business Management. He was in the business fraternity and lettered in Soccer in which his team held southeast recognition.

He became employed with Kmart 1971, in the manager training program. In 1977, he moved to a state publishing company in Columbia, S.C. where he held the position of editor. The owner was killed in a traffic accident and the business closed so Sheldon moved back to his hometown Rogersville in 1980 to work with his family business, the Rogersville Milling Company, making flour and cornmeal. Sheldon became the General Manger of the Milling Business until it closed in 1996.

Sheldon bought the Hale Springs Inn in 1980 until Phipps Bend Nuclear Project closed in 82. Capt. Carl Netherland Brown purchased it and restored it and the Livesays leased back the business and ran it until 1986

He was an active member of the Gideon’s from 1980 until 1988 speaking at over 30 churches each year and has enjoyed running.

Sheldon founded Of One Accord Ministry in 1988 as a part time effort but as the milling business closed in 1996, he stepped out on faith as a full time director.

Of One Accord Ministry serves two entire counties, Hawkins and Hancock from eight facilities, three housing thrift stores, three housing emergency food pantries, one housing a free medical clinic and the headquarters, a 22,000 sq ft. facility with a public meeting room, classrooms, and 3 meeting rooms full most every night of the week.

The ministry serves some 100,000 people a year through the efforts of 400 volunteers, and 40 full or part time staff operating the thrift stores and other programs. Of One Accord utilized 70,000 volunteer hours to distribute between $4-$5 million dollars worth of goods and services back into the community at no charge. For every $1 that came through donations, only 3 cents was spend on administrative expenses. 97 cents went to help those in need.

In addition to local missions, 8 foreign nations are impacted through Of One Accord’s Global Missions Efforts.

Of One Accord makes a significant community impact for being in a relatively rural area. It is truly a sign that God has blessed this effort to do His work. It works closely with and takes referrals from DHS, Hawkins County, the city of Rogersville, area schools, the United Way, the Health Department, clubs, business and churches.

Of One Accord has been featured on Kingtime (a television program on WLFG) six times. Congressmen Bill Jenkins, David Davis and Phil Roe have all entered tributes for Of One Accord Ministry in the Congressional Hall of Record.

Sheldon was awarded the Kingsport Times News Award for most outstanding contribution to the Tri-Cities, He has received special recognitions through the Holston Valley Baptist Association, the Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce and the Kingsport Times News again at Christmas 2005.

He was awarded special state recognition by Gov. Sunquist as being a Special Friend to the Department of Human Services for work done in Hawkins County. He has received a State Proclamation from Senator Mike Williams.

In 2006, Sheldon received a Character Counts regional award for service in his county through Tusculum College in 2006 and was recognized for Christian Leadership through Milligan College in 2008. In 2009, Sheldon on behalf of Of One Accord received a “Valued Partner” recognition from the First Tennessee Development District.

In 2010, he received the “Distinguished Service Award) through the Hawkins County Juvenile Court System and the Hall of Fame Recognition through Signature Health Care of Hawkins County. In 2011, Sheldon was inducted into the Golden Key Honorary Society of High Achievement through East Tennessee State University. In 2013, he received recognition of “Valued Partner” for the year through the state of Tennessee’s Rural Health Assocation.

In 2021, he received the “Lionheart” recognition as most outstanding ministry leader in the states operated by Food Lion’s Grocery Stores.

He works closely also with churches, schools, clubs and other agencies to bring the fullest cooperation within the county.

Sheldon has served as President of the Rogersville Historic Zoning Commission, the Department of Human Services, Families First Council of Hawkins County, and has served on the boards for the East Tennessee Tourism Council and the Jubilee Kitchen Project. He served for 10 years on the Board of Directors for Second Harvest Food Bank where his last office was President and rotated off. He has served on the Boys and Girls Club Board. Sheldon served on the Jubilee Project Board and rotated off as Chairman.

He is currently on the Board of Directors for Clinch Powell RC & D Council, (past VP) , Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce (VP), the Rogersville Main Street Program, and Foundation Forward. Sheldon developed the organization known as Planned Giving of Hawkins County where he also serves as chairman.

He is a member of the Lions and is a Paul Harris Fellow in the Rogersville Rotary Club. He is actively works with local pastors and Pastor’s Prayer Movement.

Sheldon is active as a member of his home church. He is Area Coordinator for East TN for the National Day of Prayer which includes 33 counties as well as East Tn Coordinator for the Tennessee Prayer Coalitoon.

He served for 10 years as Prayer Coordinator for Holston Valley Baptist Association which includes efforts of 54 Baptist Churches. He is also an ordained minister and chaplain for Ballad Hospitals

His wife Linda is a Christian Counselor and is at the right hand of his activities. His oldest son Jonathan has graduated from Dallas Baptist Theological Seminary and 2nd oldest graduated from Pepperdine law school.

Save a Life

Why Adopt?