Deborah Powers, a resident of Poga, distributed supplies to people in her community from a trailer set up on her property from Grace Baptist Church, Elizabethton.

POGA — In an age driven by communication and technology, a small northeast Tennessee community near Beech Mountain, N.C., faces neglect and isolation.

Poga (pronounced Po-Gie) endured severe devastation in Carter County when Hurricane Helene struck on Sept. 27, according to pastor Travis Tyler of Grace Baptist Church, Elizabethton. Located in one of the county’s poorest areas, Poga struggles to recover from the disaster, he said.

Hurricane Helene destroyed cell phone towers, cutting off all communication for Poga residents. Three months later, most homes in the community lack cell service, internet and television.

Residents must travel to the former site of the community fire department just to make phone calls. The flooding destroyed the fire department and all its equipment. [Read more…]

FRANKLIN — The Fellowship of Tennessee Baptist Evangelists (FTBE) has announced expanded services for Tennessee churches in 2025, offering support beyond traditional revival meetings to include special emphasis Sundays, conferences, and pulpit supply assistance.

This widening scope of ministry reflects the collaborative vision of the organization’s dedicated members.

Comprised of 13 mostly full-time vocational evangelists, the fellowship meets annually in hopes of supporting each other.

“We really don’t operate as a group; it’s more of a fellowship. In other words, the guys have their own goals and their own projects,” said Phil Glisson, president of the FTBE.

“The fellowship keeps us in contact of one another, to encourage one another and pray for each other and know who each other are,” Glisson added.

Glisson

Through each of the members’ goals and projects, the organization, which works in partnership with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB), aims to support local churches and pastors across the state. Their services can be accessed through the TBMB’s online directory, which provides comprehensive information about available evangelists and their specialties.  [Read more…]

This is one of the first houses being constructed as part of the Arise and Build Initiative. The TBMB has partnered with the Appalachian Service Project to rebuild at least 40 homes damaged by Hurricane Helene.

GREENEVILLE — Members of the Arise and Build Task Force reported “significant progress” Friday during a meeting to evaluate relief efforts for those affected by the historic flood caused by Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee.

The flood, which tore through a large geographic area on Sept. 27, 2024, destroyed homes, churches, and businesses, leaving countless people displaced. Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) and other organizations responded immediately to provide aid. Once the initial response tapered off, the Arise and Build Task Force was formed to develop a long-term strategy to help rebuild East Tennessee.

To date, TBDR has completed more than 550 cleanup jobs and restored 62 homes. Additionally, TBDR has secured commitments from 26 Tennessee Baptist churches to rebuild houses.

The Nolachucky Baptist Association, in collaboration with God’s Warehouse, has rebuilt 17 private bridges across rivers or streams, reconnecting driveways to state or county roads. They also have another 40 bridges scheduled for installation. [Read more…]

Bledsoe

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jimmy Bledsoe of the International Mission Board will deliver the W.D. Powell Missions Lecture, entitled “Missions: The Good Warfare,” at Union University Jan. 30.

Bledsoe, along with his wife Diana, has served with the IMB in East Africa for 13 years. He remains a member of the Kenya Theological Education Team as a theological education specialist. He is currently serving on a special assignment as seminary liaison at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College [Read more…]