Editor’s note: Longtime Tennessee Baptist pastor, director of missions and TBMB staff member John Parrott died April 26 after a lengthy battle with COVID-19. John Parrott was a friend and mentor to countless people within the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Joe Sorah shared his thoughts about his friend and co-laborer in a recent devotion for TBMB staff.

By Joe Sorah
Harvest Field 5 Team Leader, TBMB

A few months ago, Danny   Sinquefield of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff shared a video interview with Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney with Harvest Field Team Leaders. 

Coach Swinney outlined his coaching philosophy and what he asks of his players and assistant coaches. He said he wants them to follow the words of George Washington Carver when he said, “When you do all the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.”

When I think of John Parrott, I think of that quote. John was a common man but did all the common things in uncommon ways. He did everything with excellence and he commanded the attention of all of us who knew him. 

John Parrott was a spiritual giant to me, a Barnabas yes, but also like an Apostle Paul. John mentored me in how to transition from serving as a pastor to serving as a denominational servant.  [Read more…]

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

Three staff members of the communications team (which includes the Baptist and Reflector) of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board recently learned that we had been recognized by the Baptist Communicators Association in the 2022 BCA Awards Competition (see story HERE).

BCA is a professional development association for Baptist communicators and has a membership of about 250 communicators nationwide.

To be recognized in an awards competition with your peers is both exciting and humbling. There are members in BCA organizations who could write for any news outlet in the country or compete in any other area as well. BCA is not just for writers and editors. There are communications personnel in all areas including photography, audio-visuals, graphic design and more. The competition is stout in every category. Entering the competition gives us an opportunity to see how we compare to others in our profession. [Read more…]

By Carolyn Tomlin
Contributing Writer, B&R

Mother’s Day is a time when we honor all mothers — those biological women who have given birth and those who have raised and loved other women’s children. 

On the economic scale, Mother’s Day is a big event. According to a National Retail Federation survey, consumers are expected to spend a record amount with 84 percent of American adults planning to celebrate this year. Gifts for moms include clothing, chocolates, dining out, spa treatments, and more. 

These gifts are nice, but they’re only temporary. There are many ways to honor mothers, and one way is to remember the wisdom she gave us. To remember the wisdom—and pass it on to the next generation is far more important. For me personally, my mother always said “Be able to take care of yourself and any minor children you might have.” This meant getting an education or developing a skill so you could be successful and independent if needed. And, most important…depend on God.” [Read more…]

By Todd E. Brady
Vice president for university ministries, Union University, Jackson

Recently, I had the privilege of baptizing Trent. His mom and dad were standing up by the baptistry filming, and his big sister was sitting in the congregation. Barely able to see over the baptistry ledge, Trent saw a church that rejoiced with him, loved him, prayed for him and that day, celebrated with him.

Trent’s journey to belief in Christ started with a cracker and some juice that he couldn’t have. Several weeks ago, Trent watched his parents and big sister celebrate the Lord’s Supper at church, but he couldn’t take the elements.

Each month, our church celebrates the memorial supper, proclaiming together “the Lord’s death until he comes” I Corinthians 11:26. This is a time when we remember Christ’s sacrifice for us. He gave His body for us. He shed His blood for us.  [Read more…]