Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

TN SENATOR CHALLENGES UNION GRADUATES TO BE COMMUNITY SERVANTS

By Tim Ellsworth
Associate VP for Communications, Union University

Senator Bob Corker

Senator Bob Corker

JACKSON — Sen. Bob Corker in his Dec. 17 commencement address advised Union University graduates to master a skill, to create a bold vision in their undertakings and to give back to their communities.

“You don’t have to be a United States Senator or a mayor or in any other elected position to give back to others,” Corker said. “There’s nothing in life from a secular standpoint that makes you feel more whole  as a human being than to know that a portion of what you’re doing is enhancing someone else’s life.” [Read more…]

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WHAT TO DO WHEN CHRISTMAS IS NOT “MERRY”

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

depressed-man-christmas-windowBRENTWOOD — Let’s face reality. Circumstances sometimes leave people depressed during the Christmas season — a time of hope created by the birth of a baby boy in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago.

That baby boy would grow up to be Jesus Christ and He died on a cross 33 years later. His death and resurrection offers eternal life to all who confess their sins and profess belief in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. [Read more…]

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FORMER ATHEIST WITNESSES FOR CHRIST

Minister’s wife says she is proof of God’s sense of humor

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Jason and Tiffany Bowen of Trenton attended the Summit in Sevierville with their children, from left, Evangeline, Charlotte Jean, and Samuel. — Photo by Corinne Williams

Jason and Tiffany Bowen of Trenton attended the Summit in Sevierville with their children, from left, Evangeline, Charlotte Jean, and Samuel. — Photo by Corinne Williams

SEVIERVILLE — During the The Good Cup event for ministers’ wives held at The Summit in November, the question was posed to those wives who attended, “Did you think you would ever marry a minister?”

Pardon Tiffany Bowen for laughing. The question often reminds her of God’s wonderful sense of humor.

At the time she met her future husband Jason Bowen, now pastor of First Baptist Church, Trenton, Tiffany was a self-professed “atheist, feminist bartender.”

Tiffany was working her way through the University of Tennessee in Knoxville when she met Jason, then a self-described “lukewarm” Christian who was working at the same restaurant. He asked her out three times before she agreed to date him and it was only going to be for one hour, she recalled. [Read more…]

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TENNESSEE BAPTIST ASSISTANCE CONTINUES

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

TBC President Steve Freeman surveys the damage to property immediately behind Roaring Fork Baptist Church. Several homes near the church were destroyed, four of which belonged to church members. Freeman has called on Tennessee Baptists to give $20 for tragedy to help in the disaster relief effort. Contributions can be made at TNDisasterRelief.org/contributions.

TBC President Steve Freeman surveys the damage to property immediately behind Roaring Fork Baptist Church. Several homes near the church were destroyed, four of which belonged to church members. Freeman has called on Tennessee Baptists to give $20 for tragedy to help in the disaster relief effort. Contributions can be made at TNDisasterRelief.org/contributions. -Photos by Chris Turner

GATLINBURG — Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB) leaders are grateful for the quick response, both financially and with physical assistance, following the wildfires which struck the Smoky Mountains in late November.

What’s more, help will continue in the months to come, leaders agreed.

“I am thankful for the quick response of our disaster relief volunteers at the very start of this tragedy in Sevier County to meet the immediate needs of first responders and evacuees,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB. [Read more…]

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GATLINBURG FIRE SUSPECTS ELICIT SYMPATHY

By David Roach
Baptist Press

Banner Baptist Church in Gatlinburg, Tenn., lost its fellowship hall to fire and sustained damage to another small building.

Banner Baptist Church in Gatlinburg, Tenn., lost its fellowship hall to fire and sustained damage to another small building.

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (BP) — The arrests of two teenagers in connection with deadly wildfires in and around Gatlinburg, Tenn., have provoked expressions of sadness from three local Southern Baptist congregations that lost buildings in the blaze.

The three Gatlinburg churches — Roaring Fork Baptist Church, First Baptist Church and Banner Baptist Church — also report God’s continued work in their midst, including at least four first-time professions of faith in Christ over the past two weeks.

Authorities announced the arrests Dec. 7, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported. The teens, whose names and genders have not been released, have been charged with aggravated arson in connection with a fire that started Nov. 23, killing at least 14 people and destroying more than 2,400 homes and businesses. [Read more…]

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CAPTURE THE NEXT GENERATION: ED GAMBLE

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Tennessee Baptists visit with leaders of a breakout session of Summit on Christian schools. From left are Walter Grubb, president, Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy, Seymour; Wesley Scott, Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools; Larry Reagan, pastor, Adams Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Dresden, and headmaster, Central Christian Academy, Martin; and Ed Gamble, SBACS.

Tennessee Baptists visit with leaders of a breakout session of Summit on Christian schools. From left are Walter Grubb, president, Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy, Seymour; Wesley Scott, Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools; Larry Reagan, pastor, Adams Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Dresden, and headmaster, Central Christian Academy, Martin; and Ed Gamble, SBACS.

SEVIERVILLE — “Ninety percent of America’s evangelical kids attend a school where it is illegal to teach the full truth, ” said Ed Gamble in a breakout session of Summit which includes the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

“Why is it so important that the church take ownership of the weekday?” he asked in the Nov. 14 session, “Christian Schools and Beyond: Capturing the Next Generation.” 

Christians should be “passing our faith from one generation to the next,” however “in America we’re not getting it done.” said Gamble, retired executive director, Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools. [Read more…]

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FATHER/SON PASTOR TEAM LEADS TRANSITION

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Gene Mims, right, pastor of Judson Baptist Church, Nashville, for the past 11 years is now serving as co-pastor with his son Jeff. The transition officially began in September.

Gene Mims, right, pastor of Judson Baptist Church, Nashville, for the past 11 years is now serving as co-pastor with his son Jeff. The transition officially began in September.

NASHVILLE — For the past 11 years Gene Mims has served as pastor of Judson Baptist Church here.

Mims is still pastor but he’s no longer alone in the task. In September, his son Jeff Mims officially became the church’s co-pastor.

Jeff Mims is no stranger to the Judson family, having served in a variety of roles on the church’s staff since 2007. [Read more…]

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‘IT’S GOING TO BE A LONG HAUL HERE’ IN GATLINBURG

By Connie D. Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

View from back of Roaring Fork Baptist Church in Gatlinburg. The church and vehicle were destroyed by wildfires which swept through Sevier County on Nov. 18.

View from back of Roaring Fork Baptist Church in Gatlinburg. The church and vehicle were destroyed by wildfires which swept through Sevier County on Nov. 28.

GATLINBURG — On day nine following the horrific wildfires, residents are finally being allowed to visit their homes in damaged areas, reported Wes Jones, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief specialist. They have to come back out every night.

Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner said that On Thursday, Dec. 8, residents who still have homes can return and the Downtown Parkway will reopen to the general public Friday at 7 a.m.

“As more people get back to their homes and see their needs” Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) will be able to help, said Jones. So most Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers will be needed in the days, weeks, and months to come, he predicted. [Read more…]

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GATLINBURG FIRES CREATE CHALLENGES

Tennessee Baptists find ways to minister in Sevier County

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Kim McCroskey, right, pastor of Roaring Forks Baptist Church, describes the destruction to Joe Sorah, left, of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff. In the background is Wes Turner, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief specialist.

Kim McCroskey, right, pastor of Roaring Forks Baptist Church, describes the destruction to Joe Sorah, left, of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff. In the background is Wes jones, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief specialist.

SEVIERVILLE — Though homes, businesses, and churches in Sevier County are in ruins, residents of the area know it could have been much worse.

“Had it not rained the night of the fire (Nov. 28), Sevier County would not be here,” said Robert Nichols, director of missions for Sevier County Association of Baptists.

And God did not stop there. Additional rain on Nov. 29-30 quenched the fires that devastated the Gatlinburg area.

As of Dec.1 there were seven confirmed deaths and an estimated 45 people injured. Additionally, numerous people are still unaccounted for. The Tennessee National Guard spent all day Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 searching for victims or survivors. [Read more…]

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