News Archives - Baptist & Reflector

TENNESSEE BAPTIST SELECTED FOR SBC TASK FORCE

July 23, 2021

By George Schroeder
Baptist Press

SARALAND, Ala. — SBC president Ed Litton has appointed a seven-member task force to oversee a third-party review into the handling of sexual abuse claims by the SBC Executive Committee.

Calling formation of the task force his “first priority,” Litton said the seven members of the task force “represent pastors, as well as professionals in law, counseling, and abuse advocacy.” According to a news release today (July 9), the task force will be chaired by Bruce Frank, lead pastor of Biltmore Baptist Church of Arden, N.C. The vice chairman is Marshall Blalock, pastor of First Baptist Church of Charleston, S.C.

“I believe the members of this team are men and women who genuinely pursue God and seek the truth and desire for survivor voices to be heard,” Litton said in a statement. “I am grateful for their willingness to serve our Convention in this important role.”

Additionally, Litton announced two advisors to the task force with “expertise in handling sexual abuse dynamics”: Rachael Denhollander, an attorney and survivors’ advocate; and Chris Moles, a pastor, counselor and author. Denhollander and Moles previously served the SBC as members of a sexual abuse advisory group formed in 2018 by former SBC president J.D. Greear. [Read more…]

IMB CELEBRATES WORK OF DEAF PATHWAY GLOBAL

July 23, 2021

By Ann Lovell
Baptist Press

IMB President Paul Chitwood celebrates the work of Deaf Pathway Global with Mark and Vesta Sauter, who lead IMB’s work among the Deaf. — IMB photo

BRENTWOOD — In 2020, Deaf people numbered nearly 70 million people around the world. Of those, 1,444 Deaf people die every day without Christ, according to IMB’s 2020 Annual Statistical Report. Most Deaf people around the world have none of the Bible in their heart sign language.

Those numbers should concern any Great Commission Christian, IMB President Paul Chitwood told those at a June 15 gathering held in conjunction with the SBC Annual Meeting in Nashville. Chitwood and Mike Glenn, senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in Tennessee, celebrated the Bible translation work of Deaf Pathway Global, a non-profit venture of Brentwood Baptist Deaf Church that offers sign language translations of Bible stories by Deaf translators.

“Knowing that many Deaf around the world die lost every day, we know there is not a moment to spare,” Chitwood said. “We must press forward as quickly as we can, and to be able to do so in a project like this is unprecedented.” [Read more…]

FIVE WAYS I WITNESSED GOD AT WORK AT CAMP

July 22, 2021

By Aaron Wilson
Writer for Lifeway Christian Resources

Aaron Wilson and his son gather at “the spot” at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center with other CentriKid attendees before breaking into smaller groups for activities and Bible study. — Photo by Aaron Wilson

Last week I spent five days serving as a chaperone with my church at Lifeway’s CentriKid camp (held at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden). It was my 10-year-old twins’ first experience at camp and one of my first times back since I proposed to my wife at a Lifeway camp around 16 years ago.

Leading up to this year’s camp, I was praying for God to move in the lives of our kids. But I must admit, I was also hesitant about the trip. Spending 100+ straight hours with a bunch of loud, smelly, energetic boys is a bit much for my introvert-driven personality, and upon stepping foot in our cabin, I found myself initially counting down the hours until it was time to depart.

But by the end of the week, it was a different story. By that point, my nose had become so acclimatized to cabin life that I hardly noticed the mingled smells of sunscreen, bug repellant, and dirty laundry. What I did notice, however, was the way God had been moving in the lives of everyone on campus. It left me incredibly appreciative for the kingdom work Lifeway accomplishes through its camps ministry. [Read more…]

UNION NAMES JEFF PALMER AS 2021 DODD AWARD RECIPIENT

July 22, 2021

By Suzanne Rhodes
Union University news office

Jeff Palmer, founder and former CEO of Baptist Global Response, has been named Union University’s 2021 M.E. Dodd Award recipient.

JACKSON — Union University has named Jeff Palmer, founder and former CEO of Baptist Global Response, as the 2021 M.E. Dodd Award recipient, the highest denominational service award given by the university.

Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver presented Palmer with the award June 15 at First Baptist Church in Nashville during Union’s alumni and friends dinner as part of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.

“Through his work as an international missionary, as the director of a global relief organization and now as a transitional pastor for a local church, Jeff’s ministry has been faithful and compassionate and has touched literally millions around the world,” said Todd Brady, vice president for university ministries at Union.

“Union University and Southern Baptists are grateful for God’s work through Jeff Palmer,” he said.

Attaining a bachelor’s degree in biology at Union and a master’s degree in agriculture at Murray State University, Palmer has used his education to serve as an International Mission Board missionary in Southeast Asia for over 20 years. In 2006, Palmer and his wife, Regina, were asked to head the formation of Baptist Global Response, a Southern Baptist international relief and development organization. [Read more…]

NASHVILLE NATIVE SERVES REFUGEES, NEAR AND FAR, IN VARIETY OF WAYS

July 20, 2021

Editor’s note: The name of the Nashville resident who works with Middle Eastern refugees overseas has been changed for her protection.

IMB news office

The sign in front of Tusculum Hills Baptist Church welcomes attendees.

NASHVILLE — Meeting a refugee at a community center in Nashville helped set the trajectory where Evie Tucker finds herself today, working among Middle Eastern refugees in a community center overseas.

Nashville, Tucker’s hometown, is home to the largest population of refugees from one Middle Eastern people group. Many of the refugees live in one section of town that has become a refugee resettlement location.

Tusculum Hills Baptist Church is located in this part of town, and before moving overseas, Tucker taught at an English as a second language center located in the church.

Tucker, a missionary with the International Mission Board, said there are 91 different people groups in Middle Tennessee and there are between 30 to 40 unreached people groups represented in a one-mile radius of the church. She recalls hearing how Tusculum Hills began praying for the Lord’s direction and how they could be involved in reaching their neighbors.

The Lord answered by directing them to open their facilities for ESL classes. Tucker’s home church, Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville and Nashville First Baptist Church partner with Tusculum Hills to minister to refugees.

At the ESL center, Tucker met a woman who shared her story of fleeing her country, living in a refugee camp for five years, losing her husband in the camp and her difficult journey to the U.S. [Read more…]

YEC CAMP TEACHES TEENS THE BAPTIST BASICS

July 16, 2021

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Students sing a praise song during a worship service at YEC Camp at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center.

FRANKLIN — Prior to 2020, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board provided events such as Super Summer and Impact for Baptist youth.

Following a year’s absence due to COVID-19, camps for teenagers have returned but with a new name and purpose — YEC Camp. Nearly 400 Baptist youth from across the state gathered at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport and Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden in late June and early July.

“YEC (Youth Evangelism Conference) has been such an impactful event for Tennessee Baptists and has a huge following,” said Jay Barbier, youth specialist for the TBMB. “I wanted to take the evangelism element of YEC and add it to the camp experience.”

Barbier said the goal of YEC Camp is to share Jesus with those who come and help equip them to return to their communities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with their friends.

His desire is to have the annual YEC in the spring and camp in the summer with regional YEC rallies in the fall. The rallies are still in the planning stage, he noted.

The camps are done in partnership with the churches who bring their youth to the events, Barbier said. “We want to benefit our local churches in Tennessee. We provide the programming but we want our churches to take ownership,” he added. [Read more…]

MOST PASTORS FEEL SUPPORTED BY OTHER LOCAL MINISTERS

July 15, 2021

By Aaron Earls
Lifeway News Office

NASHVILLE — The vast majority of pastors say they feel support from other ministers in their communities, but that encouragement is less prevalent in some places.

According to a study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research, 82 percent of U.S. Protestant pastors say they feel supported by other local pastors in their area, with 44 percent strongly agreeing. Few (14 percent) disagree, while 4 percent aren’t sure.

“Nobody can identify with a pastor like another pastor. That’s why relationships between pastors are so vital,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “It’s one thing to be aware and know the names of other pastors who are sharing the same gospel message in your community. It’s another to invest in supporting and encouraging each other.”

Large church pastors, those with weekly worship service attendance of more than 250, are the most likely to say they feel supported by other local pastors (89 percent).

In the Northeast, where there are traditionally fewer Protestant churches, pastors are less likely to agree they feel supported by other pastors (75 percent) than pastors in the Midwest (84 percent).

Restorationist movement pastors (68 percent) are less likely to feel local pastor support than Lutheran (88 percent), Pentecostal (87 percent), Baptist (83 percent), or Presbyterian/Reformed pastors (83 percent). A Lifeway Research study on denominations found Restorationist movement pastors are also the least likely to say they or their congregation considers it vital to be part of a denomination or denomination-like group, while Lutheran pastors are the most likely to see such denominational connections as important.

A 2015 Lifeway Research study on pastors leaving the ministry found about 1 percent leave the pastorate prior to retirement each year, but more than 1 in 3 (35 percent) agree they feel isolated as a pastor. [Read more…]

VOLUNTEERS STEP UP AFTER COVID-19 TO HELP CAMPS

July 15, 2021

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Baptist volunteer Greg Merrell stands beneath a cross he built for the lobby at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport.

NEWPORT — One year after COVID-19 basically shut down Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport and Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden, the ministry is going once again.

In recent weeks, the two conference centers have been abuzz with the sounds of children and youth enjoying the amenities offered at each conference center, the sharing of the gospel during worship and Bible studies, music and more.

But there is a major difference at the conference centers as compared to years past. The conference centers normally are staffed by seasonal workers who earn extra income while serving at the camps during the summer months.

This year, however, it has not been easy to secure workers, said Kevin Perrigan, manager at Carson Springs.

Like many businesses, the conference centers are not immune from a seemingly lack of people seeking employment. Perrigan said Carson Springs tried to recruit staff but had only one applicant. [Read more…]

TENNESCENE: JUL. 14

July 14, 2021

CHURCHES

Short Creek Baptist Church, Christiana, will hold Vacation Bible School July 15-18 for children ages 3 through eighth grade. Times vary. For information, call Annette Ball at 615-604-4678. The church did not conduct VBS last year due to COVID-19.

Springfield Baptist Church, Springfield, will host Woman of Focus, a women’s conference on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Keynote speakers are Nancy Stafford (Hollywood actress, pastor’s wife and author), and Kim Aldrich, Nashville author. Worship will be led by Grammy nominated girl band, High Road. The conference will include panelists from across the Southeast. The 2021 theme is “Lighting the Darkness.” For more information and costs, contact Sharon Wilharm at sharonwilharm@comcast.net or 615-766-2885.

Westwood Baptist Church, Cleveland, will host Special Church Security Training for local church security teams on Monday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. Guest speakers are Steve Crump, district attorney, Tennessee 10th Judicial District, who will address “What the Law Says About Protecting Others,” and Jeff Kalb, deacon and security team member at Westwood, who will address “What the Bible Says About Protecting Others.” Pre-registration is required. Visit westwoodlife.org and follow prompts on the Security Event page. For more information, contact Joe Gilbert at 423-584-3969 or jmgilbert98@gmail.com.

Liberty Baptist Church, Somerville, will hold revival services July 25-28 with evangelist Phil Glisson of Memphis.

LEADERS

Grace Baptist Church, Mason, recently called Tom Burris as pastor and Eli Taylor as worship leader.

Martha Chambers, vice president of finance and business and chief financial officer at Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, has retired. She joined the staff as comptroller in 2011 and was named CFO within six months of her arrival. Elaine Smith will assume the role of chief business and personnel officer. Previously Smith served as associate vice president for business and personnel services. Robert Key will serve as chief financial officer/treasurer. Key previously served as assistant vice president for financial and accounting services and controller. In addition, Kevin Triplett has been named vice president of university relations. He formerly served as executive pastor at Indian Springs Baptist Church, Kingsport, for two years.

Ruthville Baptist Church, Martin, recently called Scott Williams as pastor.

John Bowers recently joined the staff of Weakley County Baptist Association to serve in the association’s biblical counseling ministry. He is a certified counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.

Jerry Cornett recently resigned as pastor of Stoney Creek Baptist Church, Elizabethton.

Tennessean Bob Agee, right, a former Union University vice president and a past president of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla., was presented a framed square of the carpet that was laid in his office while he was president between 1982-98 by current OBU president Heath Thomas. The carpet was selected by his late wife, Nelle. The presentation was made at OBU’s booth at the recent Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville. Agee is a member of The Church at Sugar Creek in Humboldt.
Retired Tennessee Baptist pastor Ken Clayton has authored 7/7:The Key to Understanding the Gospel of John. The book is written to provide a deeper understanding of the gospel of John. The book explores seven themes found in the gospel — The first seven days, seven signs, seven "I am who I am" sayings, seven people Jesus encountered, the last seven days and seven resurrection events. Clayton and his wife, Joy, are former Southern Baptist missionaries to Spain. His Tennessee pastorates include Central Baptist Church, Crossville, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory, and Pine Eden Baptist Church, Crossville. He and his wife now live in Mount Juliet where they are members of Shiloh Baptist Church. The book can be purchased at amazon.com. Clayton will also hold a book signing on Saturday, July 24, from 9 a.m.-Noon at Pavilion 2 at Charlie Daniels Park in Mount Juliet. Breakfast will be available.
Calvary Baptist Church, Shelbyville, hosted their annual For God and Country Program on June 26. They had a meal and a patriotic program for the community. The church also awarded Quilts of Valor to area soldiers. Shown, from left, are Donnie Porter, David Ward and Tony Thibodeaux.
Stacy Murphree, right, Baptist Collegiate Ministry specialist at Austin Peay State University, took a break during the recent annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention with BCM students Amber Walliser, right, of Lookout Valley Baptist Church, Chattanooga, and Faith Pinson of Brainerd Baptist Church, Chattanooga. Both are leaders in the BCM at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. They were among about 20 BCM students and 15 BCM leaders from Tennessee and Alabama who worked the registration tables for the SBC annual meeting. Murphree praised the hard work of all the BCM students, who at times, were registering over 1,000 messengers per hour. “I was proud of their efficiency and pace. Messengers were pleased with the short amount of time they stood in line,” she said.
Liberty Baptist Church, Wartburg, sent six members of the youth group to YEC Summer Camp. (See related story, page 7). Liberty pastor Paul Frick noted that one of the biggest benefits of the camp was that the youth were able to see the church’s Cooperative Program dollars at work. “Our church is a huge supporter of the Cooperative Program,” he said. “We give a report to the church and are able to share with the congregation about the great resources we have with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.”

CARSON-NEWMAN ANNOUNCES AKIN FOR NEW POSITION OF VICE PRESIDENT FOR CHURCH RELATIONS AND CAMPUS MINISTRIES

July 14, 2021

Carson-Newman news office

Jonathan Akin has been named Carson-Newman’s new vice president for Church Relations and Campus Ministries.

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University president Charles A. Fowler announced the hiring of Dr. Jonathan Akin as the institution’s new vice president for Church Relations and Campus Ministries.

Akin currently serves as the director of Leadership Development for the North American Mission Board. He also leads NAMB’s Timothy+Barnabas Institute, which has become one of the most effective equipping and mentoring ministries for young pastors.

In addition, Akin serves as the interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Naples, Fla. He will continue in this role until the church secures a pastor.

“Since I arrived in Jefferson City, I have been searching for a vice president for Church Relations and Campus Ministries,” said Fowler. “This position is such a critical role at Carson-Newman.”

Fowler explained that he had taken his time in filling the role to ensure the right person was found for the created position. “My desire for the person filling this role was for them to have a PhD and have enough scholarly work to be viewed as a colleague among our faculty,” said Fowler. “I wanted them to have served as a senior pastor so that area pastors would view them as a pastor and friend. I also wanted someone nationally recognized so their association would open doors with churches and attract students.” [Read more…]

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