Ben Cowell, senior pastor at Brownsville Baptist Church, prayers over the tables prior to a recent luncheon that fed more 1,000 construction workers at BlueOval City in Stanton. Brownsville Baptist was one of more than a dozen Tennessee Baptist churches that sent volunteers to the event, which was sponsored by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief. —Photo by Jim Veneman

BROWNSVILLE — Rather than simply praying for the pastors in the Stanton area, Ben Cowell felt called to become one. 

In the spring of 2022, Cowell read a story in the Baptist and Reflector about the potential impact that BlueOval City — the massive Ford Motor plant being built in West Tennessee — could have on the city of Stanton and the surrounding communities. The article not only piqued Cowell’s interest, but also tugged at his heart.

Cowell said he soon found himself thinking about the enormous challenges — and enormous opportunities — for the pastors in that area. He wondered who would help them. And he began asking this question: “Why not me?”  [Read more…]

Carson-Newman University recently broke ground on a new student residence complex. From left are: Ondes Webster, C-N; Megan Chafin, BarberMcMurry Architects; Robert Key, C-N; Kristi Paczkowski, C-N trustee; Charles A. Fowler, C-N president; Patsy Wallace, C-N trustee; Hong Tjoa, chair of trustees; Chair; Derek Driskill, SGA president; Marshal White, C-N trustee; Jim Schmidt, University Housing Solutions; Gloria Walker, C-N; and David Haynes, Bank of Tennessee.

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University broke ground April 20 on its largest construction project in the university’s history. 

Members of the campus community were joined by local representatives and friends of Carson-Newman who gathered for a special ceremony marking the event. West Campus Commons, a new residence life complex, is slated to welcome students in Fall 2024. 

 “What a tremendous day for Carson-Newman,” said C-N President Charles A. Fowler. “We are grateful to our campus family, community leaders and friends for joining us today in celebration of a new chapter in residence life for our students. 

“I especially would like to thank the board of trustees whose decisions regarding our strategic plan and 20-year master plan paved the way to consider this new residence life facility. We look forward to seeing this exciting project take form over the coming months and benefiting Carson-Newman students for years.” [Read more…]

Celebrating the merger of of Michigan Avenue Baptist Church and Parkway Baptist Church in Cleveland are the combined deacons along with the pastors, from left, back row, Terry Lewis, Joe White, Keith Lawson, Mickey Gaston, Kenneth Saffles; front row, Brendon Witte, interim pastor of Michigan Avenue, Geoff Ownbey, Jason Parker, Roy Williams, Rex Reagan and Joe White, former pastor of Parkway who will serve as pastor of merged congregations at Michigan Avenue Baptist. Not pictured is deacon Billy Belcher.

CLEVELAND — Members of Parkway Baptist Church and Michigan Avenue Baptist Church voted April 23 to merge the two churches. 

With the vote, Parkway Baptist was dissolved and the two congregations met at Michigan Avenue Baptist for their first service as one church. 

Organized in 1934, Michigan Avenue Baptist Church (MABC) has served the community for nearly 90 years. 

As a church, they have given over $470,000 through the Cooperative Program, about $250,000 in associational gifts, and more than $1,000,000 in total mission gifts, according to their Annual Church Profile.  [Read more…]

The late Eric McLemore, who was the senior pastor at Northside Baptist Church in Milan, stands with his wife, Leah, and their three daughters: Virginia, age 9, Layla, 7, and Lottie, 4.

FRANKLIN — As a registered nurse, Leah McLemore fluently speaks the complex jargon of the medical world. She knows and understands the elaborate-sounding words and intricate diagnoses that are frequently used in hospitals and doctors’ offices. 

But when discussing the recent death of her husband, McLemore uses terms that anyone can understand: He died from stress. 

Yes, there were other factors involved, she said, but the foremost cause of his death was a bleeding ulcer that was exacerbated by the pressures and constant weight of being in the ministry.  [Read more…]

Proctor

Two hundred years ago, while envisioning the campus design for the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson wrote to a colleague describing how the buildings should be arranged: 

“… Would strongly recommend … instead of one immense building, to have a small one for every professorship, arranged at proper distances around a square, this village form is preferable to a single great building for many reasons, particularly on account of fire, health, economy, peace and quiet. …”  

Villages. 

Jefferson knew that growth, whether intellectual or spiritual, occurs more readily in communities — communities where people could interact in a safe and peaceful way both inside and outside the buildings.   [Read more…]

Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, left, introduces pastor Pat Hood of LifePoint Church, Smyrna, during the recent meeting of directors. Hood shared his testimony and information about the Amy Hood Adoption Endowment named after his late wife. — Photo by Lonnie Wilkey

FRANKLIN — Directors of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board adopted a record goal of $2.7 million for the 2023-24 Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions and approved seven other recommendations including a revision to the GOTM Process and Guidelines that would eliminate the following guideline: “GOTM funds are NOT provided for the salary of TBMB staff or Tennessee WMU staff.”

Tennessee Baptist leaders Clay Hallmark and Randy C. Davis each brought reports and challenges during the meeting held April 25 in Franklin. 

Hallmark, pastor of First Baptist Church, Lexington, observed that churches can be known for many things, ranging from possessions and personalities to programs and preaching. While those things have their place, churches need to be known as “houses of prayer,” he maintained.

“In a world that has been turned upside down and is crazy, we need to lead our churches to be houses of prayer. Prayer changes people.” [Read more…]