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PANDEMIC ALTERED U.S. CHURCHGOERS’ DISCIPLESHIP PRACTICES

May 14, 2021

By Aaron Earls
LifeWay news office

NASHVILLE — Fewer churchgoers filled pews and Bible studies during the pandemic, but many still continued personal discipleship habits throughout 2020.

A study by Nashville-based Lifeway Research found U.S. churchgoers were less likely to be involved in small groups during the pandemic, but many added some digital and individual activities to their discipleship routines.

“Some have defined discipleship as a journey of following Christ in fellowship with other believers,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “COVID-19 appears to have had both positive and negative impacts on discipleship. Pre-pandemic churchgoers largely have shown more resolve in following Christ over the following year while altering how they engage with other believers.” [Read more…]

PRE-CONVENTION SERVICE WILL INCLUDE HUCKABEE, PENROD

May 13, 2021

Baptist and Reflector

NASHVILLE — The Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists (COSBE) will host the annual Sunday Morning Worship on June 13 prior to the beginning of the Southern Baptist Convention, which starts June 15 in Nashville.

This service will be held at Hermitage Hills Baptist Church, Hermitage (3475 Lebanon Pike) where Poly Rouse is senior pastor.

“Hope for the Home” is the theme for the service, which begins at 10:30 a.m.

Pastor/evangelist Jerry Drace, program coordinator for the event, has announced that Mike Huckabee and Guy Penrod will be on the program, along with members of COSBE. [Read more…]

NEARLY 50 BAPTIZED IN GIBSON COUNTY LAKE

May 12, 2021

Baptist and Reflector

Todd Kirk, right, associate pastor of Salem Baptist Church, Trenton, baptizes a believer at the Gibson County recreational lake on the night of April 19.

Gibson County recreational lake was the site of 48 baptisms, including a large number of inmates from the Gibson County correctional facility, on the night of April 19.

Roughly two weeks earlier, the correctional facility had hosted a “one-night revival” — organized by Sheriff Paul Thomas — that featured 11 separate services held simultaneously in the living pods on the campus. [Read more…]

POSSIBLE SBC DECISION TO HAVE NO IMPACT ON TENNESSEE BCMS

May 11, 2021

By Lonnie Wilkey and Chris Turner
Baptist and Reflector

FRANKLIN — Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) in Tennessee will not be impacted by a possible Southern Baptist Convention vote to transfer the collegiate ministry assignment from LifeWay Christian Resources to the North American Mission Board.

“It is important to remember that Tennessee Baptists have provided Baptist Collegiate Ministry on Tennessee campuses for approximately 100 years,” said Bill Choate, collegiate ministry director for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

“While it is not clear precisely what action NAMB now will take to support collegiate ministry across North America, Tennessee BCMs will continue to operate as a ministry of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board with support from the Tennessee Baptist Convention network of churches, local churches and Baptist associations across our state.”

Some questions arose about the status of Tennessee BCMs after the recent spring 2021 meeting of the North American Mission Board trustees who unanimously passed a resolution formally requesting the SBC’s collegiate ministry assignment be entrusted to the organization. [Read more…]

COLLINS SAYS PREACHING SHOULD BE S.I.M.P.L.E.

May 11, 2021

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Roc Collins, director of strategic objectives for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, holds a copy of his new book, S.I.M.P.L.E. Preaching.

FRANKLIN — Roc Collins has preached thousands of sermons all over the world and is a sought after speaker for evangelistic events.

Collins, director of strategic objectives for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, perhaps is best known in Tennessee for a phrase he said — “It’s later than you think, but it’s not too late” — during his President’s Address delivered to the annual meeting of Tennessee Baptists.

At the time, Collins was serving as president of the state convention and was also pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church in Kingsport.

That statement still resonates with Collins, who remains intense and passionate about preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. “Preaching God’s Word is one of the most challenging vocations a man might undertake,” he observed. “But it’s also simple.”

“I have seen a simple cornbread preacher shake the rafters of hell and the most learned scholar become the best antidote for insomnia.” [Read more…]

CARNIVAL WORKERS — AN UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP

May 10, 2021

Western District volunteers show God’s love during ‘World’s Largest Fish Fry’

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Volunteers serving on April 21 included, from left, Dusty Tuders, Springhill Baptist Church, Paris; Rob McBroom, Point Pleasant Baptist Church, Buchanan; Keith and Tammy Barfoot, Monterey, La.; Cheryl Conner, Point Pleasant Baptist; Chris Downing, New Harmony Baptist Church, Paris; and Jim Twilbeck, director of missions, Western District Baptist Association.

PARIS — Check the list of unreached people groups from any missions-sending organization, including the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, and you probably won’t find “carnival workers” on the list.

But as far as Jim Twilbeck and the churches of Western District Baptist Association, where he serves as director of missions, are concerned, they meet the criteria because they have little or no access to the gospel.

That’s why that for at least 30 years, volunteers from Western District have ministered to carnival workers who come to Paris each year to work during “The World’s Largest Fish Fry.”

Organizers of the event, first held in 1953 and now sponsored by the Paris-Henry County Jaycees, estimated that more than 11,000 pounds of catfish would be consumed over four days (April 21-24) and about 50,000 hush puppies. [Read more…]

A MOTHER’S WISH LIST

May 9, 2021

By Carolyn Tomlin
Contributing Writer, B&R

Observing my own mother and others, I often wondered about the responsibility that goes with rearing a child. And how did they find the energy to teach a youngster all the important things for life? After all, the period of childhood is so brief and there is so much to learn.

In conversation with numerous Christian mothers, I developed a wish list where many of the issues we need to teach fall into these categories. As Mother’s Day approaches on May 9, consider these three issues.

Serve others. I’m reminded of a news story where a woman showed up to wash dishes for a family who lost a loved one. She didn’t say, “Call me if there is anything I can do.” Instead, she showed up. Perhaps we all need to “just show up,” more often. [Read more…]

TENNESSEE BAPTISTS PROVIDE ULTRASOUND MACHINE TO CLINIC

May 7, 2021

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Guinda Flippin, RN, nurse manager at the Gibson County office of Birth Choice, uses a new ultrasound machine, paid for by gifts through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions. Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said the TBMB’s goal is to “see an ultrasound machine placed in every crisis pregnancy center supported by local Baptist churches across our state.”

TRENTON — Thanks to gifts through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions, Tennessee Baptists have given their first ultrasound machine to a crisis pregnancy center in the state.

“I am so proud of how a few years ago, Tennessee Baptists stood up for life against abortion, but being pro-life is a lot more than being anti-abortion,” observed Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

“We were able to supply our first ultrasound machine to Birth Choice in Trenton because Tennessee Baptists from all across the state gave so generously through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions.”

Davis said the TBMB’s goal is to “see an ultrasound machine placed in every crisis pregnancy center supported by local Baptist churches across our state.” [Read more…]

SEVEN-MONTH JOURNEY

May 6, 2021

After surviving COVID-19 and a double lung transplant, LaFollette pastor Zach Lloyd is eager to return home

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

After being away from his children for months, Zach Lloyd was able to spend time with his wife, Sara, and children, Lily and Titus, on April 23-24.

NASHVILLE — When a local television station in Nashville aired footage of pastor Zach Lloyd recently leaving Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital, probably few people realized they were witnessing another one of God’s infinite miracles.

But that really is the only explanation for how Lloyd, pastor of East LaFollette Baptist Church in LaFollette, was able to leave after 175 nights in hospitals and a double lung transplant.

While Lloyd is quick to praise the care he received during his illness, he is even quicker to point out that “God moved in ways that defy medical explanation.

“There were many nights that the hospital personnel did not know if I would make it through the night. Our stance is that God provided and will continue to provide and that He will move in a mighty way.” [Read more…]

MCCOY: TBCH PROUD OF ITS PAST, EXCITED FOR FUTURE

May 5, 2021

By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — Greg McCoy, president and treasurer of Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes, has dealt with some difficult days during the past 15 months, and he knows there are likely more hardships still to come.

But McCoy has not let circumstances and situations — even those as daunting as a pandemic — deflate his enthusiasm or affect his outlook about the day-to-day ministry of Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes.

McCoy, in fact, said he has been encouraged by what he has seen in the past year, and said he is energized by the possibilities that lie ahead.

“I’m excited about the challenges facing us in 2021,” said McCoy. “We are praying over some God-sized plans (for this year). … TBCH has been welcoming children in hard places with the love of Christ for 130 years, and we are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us.” [Read more…]

Western District volunteers show God’s love during ‘World’s Largest Fish Fry’

After surviving COVID-19 and a double lung transplant, LaFollette pastor Zach Lloyd is eager to return home

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