Randy Davis
Nothing changes your perspective for the better like intently looking at what the Lord has done for you, then entering His presence with a long list of gratitude. In fact, we are instructed to be thankful. “It is good to give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 92:1).
It doesn’t take long to make that kind of “thanks-giving” list, and it will be a great source of encouragement. Truly, we should live in a perpetual state of reflection and thanksgiving — not just at Thanksgiving. However, ’tis the season, and it is certainly right to be reminded now of God’s goodness to us and what He has done for, with, and through Tennessee Baptists. So here goes:
I am thankful for the:
- More than 18,000 spiritually lost Tennesseans who gave their hearts and lives to Christ over this past year and followed Him in believers’ baptism in Tennessee Baptist churches.
- Sacrificial and generous response of people across our state and around the world in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastation of East Tennessee. Countless man-hours, millions of dollars, and millions more in goods and services have been supplied. Hundreds of homes have been repaired and restored, and new homes built.
- Same spirit of service that motivates Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers to serve in East Tennessee is also present in TBDR volunteers now serving Jamaicans in the aftermath of deadly Hurricane Melissa that devastated that beautiful island.
- Incredible ministry of my recently retired friend Bill Choate. For more than four decades, Bill led Baptist Collegiate Ministries in Tennessee, which are outposts of Great Commission work to nearly 400,000 university students. Under Bill’s leadership, BCM has shared Christ with people who come from places like Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, and elsewhere. BCM has nurtured countless individuals called to pastoral and church leadership, as well as North American and global missions. And, of course, countless more BCMers minister in the marketplace through their secular jobs.
- Opportunity to begin a second century of BCM ministry with a capable staff of BCM leaders pressing forward under Stacy Murphree, Bill’s successor and a product of Tennessee Baptist BCM. I’m thankful for the solid footing upon which our BCMs will continue to multiply gospel leaders who advance God’s Kingdom.
- Generosity of Tennessee Baptist churches for the Kingdom-building resources they supplied in 2024-2025 through the Cooperative Program and the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions. Tennessee Baptists contributed more than $34 million through CP and nearly another $2.9 million through GOTM. Approximately $890,000 was also designated for TBC ministries, and around $276,000 was designated for SBC ministries. I offer a sincere thank you.
- Resurgence of your Tennessee Baptist conference centers, Carson Springs and Linden Valley. The two were a combined $573,000 in the red two years ago. Now, they ended the 2024-2025 fiscal year more than $100,000 in the black! That is a $675,000 turnaround in 24 months. I am thankful that so many of you visited our conference centers this past year, and I am extremely thankful for the leadership of camp managers Kevin Perrigan and Jimmy Tucker, as well as the able assistance of TBMB Chief Financial Officer Joe Lovell.
- Great 2025 Summit God gave us. The fellowship was incredibly sweet. The business conducted was Kingdom-focused and unified. The prayer huddles were special. The preaching and worship blessed our hearts. The messenger count was one of the highest of the last dozen years in West Tennessee. And the staff at West Jackson Baptist Church were incredible hosts. We are indeed “All aboard and advancing together,” as our theme stated.
- Capable and committed TBMB staff we have in place who take seriously the call to serve your churches. It has been a difficult transition year to reorganize our TBMB staff and resources to align with our current mission, vision, values, and priorities, and I believe we are in a great place. I’m proud to serve you alongside this group of champions.
This Thanksgiving list is by no means exhaustive and is only a snapshot of the blessings God has poured out upon His people called Tennessee Baptists. I invite you to pause now and join me in using this Clarity column as a guide to thank God for what He has done for, with, and through us. To God be the glory.
Like never before, it is a joy to be on this journey with you. B&R
