Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

A LAMENT FOR LOS ANGELES

By Chris Turner
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Vittorio Ristorante & Pizzeria was a quaint, family-owned neighborhood eatery tucked just off Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades. When my wife and I visit Los Angeles to see our daughter, our trip wasn’t complete without a visit to Vittorio’s. The garlic rolls were divine, the pizzas a culinary masterpiece—and I can taste the chicken parmesan just thinking about it.

I said was a quaint place, and indeed it was. Vittorio, Park Lane Cleaner, Knoll’s Pharmacy, Ronny’s Market, and Palisades Animal Clinic are all gone now, connecting businesses burned to rubble when fire destroyed 85% of the city’s residential and business community.

We found Vittorio’s when we took our daughter to college in fall 2021. We had five days to explore LA before freshman orientation began and visited the shops of Rodeo Drive, the Farmers Market, the Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Walk of Fame, the iconic Mann’s Chinese Theatre, the Getty Villa, Santa Monica Pier, Malibu, and more.

Vittorio’s was never convenient but always worth the effort. Unfortunately, the community in which it was nestled now resembles a bombed-out wasteland. Watching the news, seeing raging fires consuming places we’d come to love, feels surreal. The destruction feels deeply personal. All I can offer the people of Los Angeles from 2,000 miles away are my prayers, and my lament. [Read more…]

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TENNESCENE: DEC. 18

LEADERS

Larry Murphy

Larry Murphy, director of missions for Madison-Chester Baptist Association and Crockett County Baptist Association will retire Dec. 31. Murphy served  as associate director of missions for two years before accepting DOM position 26 years ago. Prior to joining the association’s staff, he served on staff at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson. Murphy, who has been in the ministry for 48 years, plans to continue to serve as a church revitalization specialist for Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He also formerly served as BSU director at Union University and on the staff of Poplar Heights Baptist Church, Jackson. Murphy and his wife, Sharon, will continue to live in Jackson. [Read more…]

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TENNESCENE: DEC. 4

EDUCATION

Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek, will present its Life of Christ Christmas Drive-Thru Dec. 7-8 from 6-8 p.m. The church is located at 26 School House Circle in Brush Creek. Donation for the church’s Hats of Love Ministry are appreciated. For information, call 615-683-8249 or e-mail bcmbc@dtccom.net. In case of inclement weather, call and listen to the recording. [Read more…]

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TENNESCENE: NOV. 6

CHURCHES

Colonial Baptist Church, Memphis, will celebrate its 70th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Former pastor Gerald Hallmark, will lead the joint Sunday School class at 9 a.m. Clay Hallmark, pastor of First  Baptist Church, Lexington, and former TBC president, will bring the message in the 10:30 a.m.  worship service. A potluck luncheon will follow.

Hopewell Baptist Church, Cleveland, recently celebrated 163 years of serving God in its community. The church began in 1858 and has seen much change over the years. God is still working through this body. Embracing Ephesians 3:20-21, pastor Mike Wallin has led the church to begin new ministries. [Read more…]

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TENNESCENE: OCT. 23

Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief

— Photos by Lonnie Wilkey and Chris Turner unless otherwise noted.

Note: Those wishing to make financial contributions can visit TNDisasterRelief.org and click the “East Tennessee hurricane/flooding fund” button. For additional ways to support TBDR, visit the “Long-Term Needs List.” [Read more…]

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TENNSCENE: OCT. 9

Damjana Mraovic-O’Hare

Carson-Newman University’s Damjana Mraovic-O’Hare has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar. For C-N’s associate professor of English and director of the Writing Center, the news opened the door to an exciting opportunity to study and teach in Belgrade, Serbia this fall. Being a Fulbright Scholar is considered by many as one of the most prestigious fellowships a U.S. scholar can be awarded, with only 20 percent who apply earning the honor. Mraovic-O’Hare, who is in her seventh year at Carson-Newman, earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Belgrade.

Calvary Baptist Church, Lenoir City, called Jonathan Tharpe as pastor on Sept. 15.

Tennessee native Carol B. Ghattas has written When Serving Gets Tough: A Thirty-Day Devotional for Missionaries. The book offers encouragement and wisdom for anyone struggling with the demands of cross-cultural service. A veteran missionary and author, Ghattas shares her experiences, providing practical guidance and hope through Scripture. Each daily entry is designed to help missionaries reconnect with their faith, find strength in God’s promises and press on in their calling despite difficulties. The book is available at missionbooks.org or other book distributors. [Read more…]

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GOD WORKS IN MUDDY POOLS

By Matt Tullos
Stewardship Specialist, TBMB

We sing these words, “I love to tell the story of unseen things above.” That’s why the Gospels are so powerful. We see people like us encounter the Son of God. Glory happens. The amazing thing about the gospel is that Jesus was constantly pressing believers to work together to do miraculous wonders. Think of the paralytic who would have never gotten healed, if four friends hadn’t grabbed the corners of his mat to climb on the roof and lower him with ropes to the feet of Jesus. That’s teamwork!

Phil Young, TBMB specialist has plenty of stories to share. Along with his efforts to lead our state to revitalize churches, he recently began working with Carson-Newman University to bring seminary classes into the prison system. [Read more…]

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TENNESSEE DR ON ALERT FOR HELENE RESPONSE

Baptist and Reflector

Hurricane Helene is seen in a NOAA satellite image captured at approximately 6 a.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (NOAA)

MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been placed on alert for possible response to Hurricane Helene.

As of 2 p.m. EST on Sept. 26, Helene is currently a Category 2 hurricane with wind speeds of 110 mph. It is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Big Bend this evening as at least a Category 3 hurricane, bringing the risk of devastating damage, according to an NBC News report. Some news outlets have reported that it could reach Category 4 status. [Read more…]

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TAKE TIME TO THANK YOUR PASTOR

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

The second Sunday in October is generally recognized across the nation as Pastor Appreciation Week and October as Pastor Appreciation Month.

I have said it several times over the past 26 years I have served as editor of the Baptist and Reflector and I will say it again. Let your pastor and other staff ministers (or the entire staff for that matter) know that you appreciate their ministry to your congregation.

Too many congregations take their staff for granted, particularly the pastor. Church members tend to think that their pastors are just like them — they only have to work 40 hours a week and the rest of the time is their own. [Read more…]

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STAFF CONTINUITY WORKS WELL FOR CROSSVILLE CHURCH

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Four ministers at Central Baptist Church have served on staff for a total of 115 years. From left are Terry May, marriage and family pastor, 17 years; Billy Kemp, legacy pastor, 32 years; Roland Smith, senior pastor, 39 years; and Scott White, executive pastor, 27 years.

CROSSVILLE — Search across the Southern Baptist Convention and you will find churches with pastors who have long tenures and even other ministers who have been at the same church for a number of years.

In a society, however, where the average stay of a minister at a church is normally less than six or seven years, it would be hard pressed to find a church that matches Central Baptist Church in Crossville. The church has four ministers with a combined 115 years of service with the congregation.

Roland Smith, senior pastor, will celebrate his 40th anniversary with the congregation next spring. What makes that even more unusual is that three of the church’s six other ministers have been with him 17 years or more — Billy Kemp, legacy pastor, 32 years; Scott White, executive pastor, 27 years; and Terry May, marriage and family pastor, 17 years.

In addition, many of the office’s staff have long tenure as well, including Rhonda Andrews who has served as Central’s office manager for 27 years. [Read more…]

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