Church moves forward despite losing historic building

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector

PARROTTSVILLE — When pastor Michael Vickers talks about the fire that ravaged Forest Hills Baptist Church, Parrottsville, he immediately points out one important fact: The fire destroyed the church building; it did not destroy the church.

The fire occurred around 1 a.m. on Jan. 18, and decimated the building that had been standing for more than 100 years. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Vickers said the Forest Hill members, while certainly saddened about the loss of the facility, are excited about the future.

“We are going to get to rebuild,” said Vickers, “and our plan is to rebuild the church right where the (previous) building was, give or take a little bit. Our church sits on top of a little knob that overlooks the mountains, and it’s just beautiful.” [Read more…]

By Shawn Hendricks
Contributing writer, B&R

SPRING HILL — After Pastor Jay Strother announced to the congregation at The Church at Station Hill his  challenge for them to read the entire Bible through in one year, Helen Tyler wanted to be the first to “sign up.” 

The 99-year-“young” woman, also known as “Miss Helen,” told Pastor Strother at the Spring Hill, campus of Brentwood Baptist Church it would be her 61st time to study through the Bible in a year. He also learned she’d be turning 100 in March.

Strother recalled her telling him, “I’ve been through the Bible 60 times and I might as well make it 61.” After announcing “The Whole Church in the Whole Word” challenge, Strother later followed up with Miss Helen for an “extended conversation” on the phone about her love for God’s Word.  [Read more…]

By Shawn Hendricks
Contributing Writer, B&R

THOMPSON’S STATION — Do you have an emergency? Are you in the middle of a crisis? Or, do you simply need some encouragement? Go to the Prayer Clinic at Thompson Station Church, where volunteers are standing by every Sunday morning to meet your spiritual concerns – and send you off with a prescription of prayer and Scripture.

One way to describe the Prayer Clinic, said Leighann McCoy, prayer and family minister at the church in Thompson’s Station, is to compare it to a walk-in health clinic. The Prayer Clinic, she explained, is a specific room located near the church’s sanctuary where people can gather anytime Sunday morning between 8:45 a.m. to noon to share their burdens and concerns. They also receive prayer and Scripture verses that relate specifically to their needs. [Read more…]

By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

APISON — With prayer, planning, promotion and persistence, the congregation at Apison Baptist Church has transformed a simple food pantry into a thriving ministry. 

And they’ve done it in the span of about six months.

When Apison Baptist officially took over leadership of the food pantry last August, the ministry was feeding roughly 300 families each month. 

Now, that number has essentially tripled, with an estimated 900 families — or perhaps more — being fed in December.  

[Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

McMINNVILLE — After graduating from high school, Jim Ramsey  attended college for one semester, then joined the Navy Reserves. He planned to return to college later, but life happened as it often does and he didn’t return to college UNTIL decades after his high school graduation.

At the age of 67, when most men are retired and no longer thinking about college degrees, Ramsey learned about Tennessee Reconnect, an initiative of the state of Tennessee to help more adults return to higher education to learn new skills, advance in the workplace or fulfill a lifelong dream of earning a college degree. 

Ramsey, director of missions for Central Baptist Association, based in McMinnville, also learned that he could apply for a Tennessee Reconnect Grant that would pay for an associate’s degree at one of Tennessee’s community colleges or offset the cost of an associate’s degree (excluding books) at a participating four-year public or private university. [Read more…]

Editor’s Note: This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

Compiled by B&R staff

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced during a press conference Jan. 23 plans for a new fetal heartbeat bill.

The announcement apparently means that Senate Bill 1236, which would have protected life from conception, will not be considered by the Senate this year.

The new approach announced by Lee will include abortion restrictions including requiring an ultrasound to be shown to a woman seeking an abortion and a ban on abortions based on race, sex or a Down syndrome diagnosis or diagnosis of a fetal abnormality, news agencies reported. [Read more…]

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

FRANKLIN —  Jean Canida, a member of First Baptist Church, Mount Juliet, has been named the recipient of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s first “Light Award.”

Mark LeMay, facilities/risk management manager for the TBMB, said the Light Award is based on Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven.”

“We want to recognize our volunteers who are making a difference for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board across the state,” LeMay observed.

Canida received the award during the TBMB’s monthly staff meeting on Jan. 9.

“As with the annual Eagle award given at the Summit to an outstanding lay leader, the monthly Light Award is a way to recognize incredible volunteers that have an impact on missions in ministry in Tennessee and around the world,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB. [Read more…]

Ministry in Fayetteville has changed lives of many since opening its doors only one year ago

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

FAYETTEVILLE  — In one year, the Crossroads Pregnancy Clinic has made a huge impact in Fayetteville and surrounding towns in Lincoln County.

Crossroads opened its doors to ministry on Jan. 15 of last year and served more than 150 women and men from various walks of life. What’s more, decisions were made to support life and those who walked through the doors heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. [Read more…]