Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

BAPTISTS RALLY AROUND HISPANIC FAMILIES

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

David Williams, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church, Morristown, speaks during a prayer rally for Hispanic families affected by a recent raid at a Bean Station slaughterhouse.
— Photos by William Burton for the Baptist and Reflector

BEAN STATION — Tennessee Baptists are ministering to families affected by the raid on a Bean Station slaughterhouse on April 5.

Federal agents raided Southeastern Provisions, a cattle slaughterhouse in Grainger County, as part of a probe on allegations that the company was paying undocumented immigrants cash to avoid paying $2.5 million in payroll taxes over the past three years, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Of the more than 95 employees who were detained until their immigration status was verified, approximately 54 have been held for possible deportation due to their undocumented status, according to news reports. Those who have been released still face court dates and possible deportation, sources said. [Read more…]

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TRAGEDY LEADS PASTOR’S WIFE TO SHARE STORY

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Kim Harmon

GREENBRIER — By her own admission, Kim Harmon led a “fairy tale” life.

She was reared in a pastor’s home and later married and became a pastor’s wife.

And even though she had chosen a career in law enforcement which can have its “ups and downs,” Harmon had not experienced a true crisis in her life.

At least not until she received a phone call on Jan. 10, 2010 that would change not only her life, but the life of her family as well. [Read more…]

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WHY AREN’T CHURCHES HAVING REVIVALS?

Tennessee Baptist vocational evangelists offer their opinions on revivals and evangelism

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Tennessee Baptist evangelists, who were part of a meeting in Jackson recently to discuss the future of vocational evangelism, included, from left, Jerry Drace, Jackson; Ron Herrod, Sevierville; Keith Cook, Springfield; Phil Glisson, Memphis; and Richard Hamlet, Memphis.

JACKSON — In a day when the word “revival” is making a comeback, usually in the secular sense, fewer and fewer Southern Baptist churches are having multi-day revivals. And, even one-day “harvest revivals” aren’t as in demand as they once were. As a result, the number of vocational evangelists across the Southern Baptist Convention has dropped significantly over the past four decades.

The question is why?

Approximately 15 Southern Baptist vocational evangelists met in early March to discuss their profession and calling from God. Among them were five evangelists from Tennessee with a combined 173 years of experience in vocational evangelism — Phil Glisson, Memphis; Jerry Drace, Jackson; Keith Cook, Springfield; Ron Herrod, Sevierville; and Richard Hamlet, Memphis. [Read more…]

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GIVING A PART OF PASTOR’S, CHURCH’S DNA

Editor’s Note: View the Cooperative Program video featuring David Green at the end of this article.

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

David Green

GREENEVILLE — First Baptist Church, Greeneville, has been giving through the Cooperative Program since the Southern Baptist funding channel was established in 1926.

First Baptist currently gives 13 percent of its undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program, said David Green, who has served as pastor of the East Tennessee congregation for 18 years.

“Giving is part of the DNA of our Baptist family here,” Green explained. “If there’s a need, we’re going to give to it. If there’s an opportunity to expand our missions reach, we’re going to give through that opportunity,” he continued. [Read more…]

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WMU EVENT LASTS BEYOND CONFERENCE

Attendees encouraged to stay engaged all year

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector

GATLINBURG — From Vickie Anderson’s perspective, the most important piece of WMU’s annual Missions Get-Together and Connection conference doesn’t occur during the weekend of the event.

Rather, it is the days, weeks and months after the conference that are the most significant, and the most satisfying, to Anderson, the executive director of Tennessee WMU.

“For me, the most exciting part is to see how individuals and churches respond to the way the Lord nudged them during the conference,” Anderson said. “To see churches getting involved with a ministry or getting deeper in Bible study or mentoring and ministering to someone — those are the stories that excite us.” [Read more…]

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REBUILDING DOMINICA: ONE ROOF AT A TIME

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Dominicans and Tennessee Baptists work together in the village of La Plaine to put a roof on a home damaged by Hurricane Maria last September.

LA PLAINE, Dominica — It’s been more than six months since Hurricane Maria hit shore in La Plaine, Dominica, leaving behind a trail of devastation and destruction.

Yet, not much has changed for the better for the majority of Dominicans.

Most of the homes in the country still do not have electricity. Those that do are dependent upon gas-powered generators. Many homes have no roofs or are only protected by tarpaulins (tarps). [Read more…]

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EC’S PAGE RESIGNS OVER ‘PERSONAL FAILING’

By Art Toalston
Baptist Press

Frank S. Page has resigned as president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, effective today (March 27) over what is described as “a morally inappropriate relationship in the recent past.” [Read more…]

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