TENNESCENE MAR. 22-APR. 4

SCHOOLS

For the fourth year in a row, Carson-Newman University’s forensics team won the Tennessee Intercollegiate Forensics Association state championship. Capturing the university’s ninth state championship in 11 years, the Carson-Newman team placed first with a total of 325 points, while the team from Middle Tennessee State placed second with 165 points.

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, based in Cordova, and Crossroads Baptist Church, Eads, will present the passion play, “The Scarlet Thread,” April 7-9 in the chapel of Mid-America Seminary. It will be directed by James Whitmire. For more information, contact www.MABTS.edu/PassionPlay or 901-751-8453.

CHURCHES

Silver Springs Baptist Church, Mount Juliet, will hold revival services beginning April 9. The preacher will be Phil Glisson of Memphis. For more information, contact the church at 615-758-7853 or silversprings@tds.net.

New Market Baptist Church, New Market, will hold its 20th annual “Trail to the Empty Tomb.” This year the outdoor dramatic presentation will be offered Thursday – Saturday, April 13-15, from 8-9:30 p.m. For more information, contact Becky Finley at 865-850-6313 or rebeccalfinley@charter.net.

Chinquapin Grove Baptist Church, Bluff City, will hold its 2017 Spring Evangelism Conference Wednesday – Saturday, April 5-8. D. L. Lowrie, former executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, among others, will speak. For more information, contact 423-538-7814, rusty@cgrovebc.com, or www.cgrovebc.com.

DEATHS

Nellie Bolton, 93, of Birmingham, Ala., died Feb. 13. She and her husband, John, who is 101 years old, were in ministry for about 70 years. He was a pastor and director of missions of Salem Baptist Association, based in Liberty, and Lawrence County Baptist Association, based in Lawrenceburg. She was the Young People’s Secretary for Tennessee Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union leading the first camps for Royal Ambassadors and Girls in Action at Tennessee Baptist camp facilities.

LEADERS

Van Reynolds of Bradford is organizing a reunion for missions volunteers who served in Upper Volta/Burkina Faso. The reunion will be held the last week of July. For more information, call Reynolds at 828-506-2977.

David and Jenny McGill were honored March 5 for 25 years of service at Ridgeview Baptist Church, Knoxville, where David is associate pastor and minister of music. He has been involved in music ministry for 45 years. For several years he was the lead singer for the Kingdom Heirs who performed at Dollywood. As part of the recognition, Tim Burchett, Knox County mayor, declared March 5 as Rev. David A. McGill Day in Knox County.
Knoxville’s David Kitts speaks with Carson-Newman students during the university’s Faith and Culture series. Kitts, who works with the Knoxville Police Department’s Special Crimes Unit, also serves as adjunct professor with Carson-Newman’s religion department. A member of Central Baptist Church, Bearden, Kitts spoke on the topic of “Why Christianity?” as he examined five of the world’s most popular religions and why people should consider Christianity.
Students of Tipton Christian Academy, Covington, a ministry of First Baptist Church, Covington, pause outside a school building. The school recently was given $1.5 million which will be used to build a new building that will have 10 classrooms, a cafeteria, offices, media center, and more. First Baptist has offered preschool instruction for many years. Then in 2008 it began offering classes for older children. The current enrollment is 256 and includes students up to the ninth grade. From left are, first row, Garner Sheridan and Sadie Layne; back row, Faith White, Madeline Potter, and Hayden Stegall.
Ben Crabtree, left, member of Etter Baptist Church, Byrdstown, receives his 40th Sunday School perfect attendance pin from his pastor, Eric Thoman. Crabtree is 87 years old. — Photo by Tim Huddleston
On March 12 the Good News Singers of Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood, celebrated the group’s 20th anniversary. The group has traveled extensively and worked hard to make an impact for the Lord in the Middle Tennessee area and beyond. For more information or to schedule a performance of the choir contact musical director Tom McMinn at 615-591-2957.