Local faith and healthcare leaders gathered Tuesday for a momentous occasion at CrossRoads Pregnancy Clinic in Fayetteville, celebrating the dedication of a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine. The ceremony marked the first of three such dedications planned this week, all made possible through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Compassion Ministry and Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions.

Dr. David Watts, a member of Forest Hills Baptist Church, had the honor of cutting the ribbon on the new equipment—a machine he helped bring to the clinic through his generous contribution to the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions. The dedication represents a significant expansion of medical services available to local women and families.

The Fayetteville dedication kicks off a week of similar celebrations, with centers in Hartsville and McKenzie slated for their own ceremonies. Full coverage of all three events, including photos, will be featured in the Feb. 5 edition of the Baptist & Reflector.

Joe Wright, pastor at Two Rivers Fellowship, Waverly, stands with Lee Aldridge, husband of the late Jean Aldridge, and Penny Chastain, former member at TRF and now at Maple Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Dickson, where her husband Parks is the pastor.

WAVERLY — Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Franklin Graham’s Samaritans Purse, recently honored the leadership and contributions of Tennessee Baptist Jean Aldridge.

Aldridge, who passed away in early October, was a charter member of Three Rivers Fellowship in Waverly. For 13 years, she led members to fill shoeboxes for children in need as part of OCC.

Aldridge was first introduced to Operation Christmas Child at FBC, Waverly, where she was deeply involved in teaching missions to children.

After helping start Three Rivers Fellowship, Aldridge continued to support missions endeavors such as Mission Dignity, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions and more. [Read more…]

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB) announced today a series of staff changes as part of a restructuring plan aimed at better addressing ministry needs affirmed through the Acts 2:17 Initiative.

The restructuring involves phasing out some legacy positions, leading to layoffs allowing the reallocation of resources toward roles needed to support the initiative’s mission.

“These are important days of transition for Tennessee Baptists and the TBMB as we begin to implement the Acts 2:17 Initiative,” said Randy C. Davis, TBMB president and executive director. “However, such change brings difficult decisions. We’ve had to say goodbye to coworkers, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ who have served Tennessee Baptists and the TBMB faithfully. It’s been a privilege to serve the Lord alongside them, and we owe them a great debt of gratitude.”

To align organizational structure for future ministry demands, the positions of Baptism-Discipleship Team Leader, Emerging Generations Specialist, Training and Volunteer Coordinator, Childhood Specialist, Youth Ministry Specialist, Childhood / Women’s Ministry Specialist, Graphic Designer, and other positions have been eliminated. Several positions were held open during the last two years and some positions were eliminated that were budgeted but never occupied. [Read more…]

By David Dawson

ddawson@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — The Baptist and Reflector’s website had a record-breaking year in 2024, setting new high-water marks in “reader engagement” and other categories. 

Listed below is a recap of some of the website’s most popular stories over the past 12 months: 

Title: Confessions of a Concerned Baptist
Writer: Randy C. Davis
Date Posted: May 1, 2024

Randy C. Davis

Summary: Roughly one month before the SBC annual meeting, Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, wrote a column in which he explained why he was not in favor of the “Law Amendment.”  Davis wrote, “I believe the Law Amendment draws a line that points us in a direction away from our denomination’s historical polity.” Davis went on to write that he did not feel the amendment was imperative and that it could be unintentionally damaging. The following month, at the annual meeting, the amendment failed to gain the necessary two-thirds majority. [Read more…]

FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist experienced a most historic 2024 marked by unique milestones and events that ranged from the celebratory to the tragic. 

Hurricane Helene: Hurricane Helene devastated East Tennessee in September, triggering the largest disaster relief response in state Baptist history. 

The storm, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph sustained winds, weakened to a tropical storm before dumping up to 30 inches of rain across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina on Sept. 27.  [Read more…]

FRANKLIN — Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, announced on Friday, Jan. 3, that teams are needed as soon as possible to complete remodeling jobs in East Tennessee.

Jones noted that the homes need remodeling after being gutted in the flood recovery process. 

Jones said that team leaders and individuals who are available to work  should contact Kaye Thomas at 615-969-0410. The housing location is Grace Baptist Church in Elizabethton. [Read more…]