Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

FORMER SBC PRESIDENTS UNITE TO SAVE ERLC FROM ‘SLEDGEHAMMER’

Baptist Press

Baptist Messengers show their ballots during a vote at the 2021 SBC annual meeting in Nashville. File photo by Eric Brown. 

An open letter released today (May 22) urges messengers planning to attend the upcoming Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Dallas to vote to keep the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission as an entity of the SBC should the anticipated motion to abolish it be proposed.

Ten former SBC presidents signed the letter that also notes concerns related to ERLC and acknowledges that “every entity — including the ERLC — should be open to critique and committed to improvement. … We do not write to defend the status quo.”

Still, “there is a difference between refinement and eradication. A sledgehammer is not the tool for adjusting a mirror,” the former presidents state in the letter.

Read the full letter below. [Read more…]

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TENNESCENE: MAY 14

DEATHS

Young

Carl Hendrix Young died on March 28, 2025, at the age of 85. With his ministry, he led many souls to the Jesus Christ. To those who knew him, he was a wonderful husband, man, friend, pastor, counselor, and mentor. Young was born on April 6, 1939, in Kentucky and was the youngest of five children. Young married Mary Edna Galbway on Oct. 6, 1956. He was called to preach in 1963, and went on to serve as chaplain for LaFollette Rescue Squad and Bristol Compressors in Bristol, Va., and Sparta, N.C. After many years of service, he and his wife moved to LaFollette, Tenn. He is survived by his wife Mary Edna Young, son Carl Joel Young and wife Bonnie; grandson Aaron Russell and wife Tracy, granddaughters Tabitha Russell and Susie Stokes; great grandkids Kayla Fox and Eli Vowels; God daughter Elizabeth Lawson; and host of adopted grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter Dianna Lynn Russell.

Harvey

James Earl Harvey of Nashville died on April 24, 2025, at the age of 91. Harvey was raised in Hobart, Okla. Alongside Val, his marriage and ministry partner — whom he met in first grade, dated in high school and married in college — he pastored seven churches in four states (Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Tennessee). They traveled for international conference leading and mission trips. Harvey worked at LifeWay as a curriculum writer and editor, church growth consultant, and adult conference leader. After retirement, he led a team to plant West Franklin Baptist Church and co-taught a senior adult class at Forest Hills Baptist Church, where he and Val were members. He also served as chaplain at Deer Lake retirement community. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Val Medlin Harvey; son, Mark (Judy) Harvey; daughter, Martha Burkey; grandchildren, James (Jen) Harvey, and Jordan Burkey; great-grandson, Aiden Harvey.

 

  • Waterville Baptist Church marked a significant milestone on April 6, celebrating its 75th anniversary with a day dedicated to honoring God's faithfulness. Founded on April 23, 1950, in South Cleveland's Waterville community, the church welcomed back numerous former members and staff for the special occasion. Two former pastors, Roger Hobbs (1975-1997) and Alan Lovelace (2000-2016), attended the celebration, with Hobbs receiving special recognition for his 22 years of service. Current pastor Rodney Bice, who assumed leadership in October 2023, presided over the event which featured worship led by Brandon Edwards, a powerful choir performance, and a timely sermon from Pastor Lovelace about God's faithfulness during storms — punctuated dramatically by actual thunder that shook the building. Following the service, attendees enjoyed a community luncheon and fellowship that one member described as "a little taste of heaven." As the church looks to the future, its vision remains focused on reaching the community with the gospel, making disciples, and continuing its 75-year legacy of community service and impact.
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SBC LEADERS CELEBRATE “100 YEARS OF COOPERATION”

By David Dawson
Managing editor, Baptist and Reflector

Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, signs the Declaration of Cooperation resolution.

MEMPHIS — Gathering just a few hundred yards from where it all began, a host of SBC leaders recognized and celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program on Tuesday afternoon.

The event, held at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, included praise music, an extended time of prayer and a message from Jeff Iorg, president and CEO of the SBC executive committee. The special service was highlighted by the signing of the Declaration of Cooperation resolution. (See below for full resolution).

Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said it was a powerful day — not only for those who attended, but for all Southern Baptists.

“This exceeded expectations in every way,” said Davis. “I wish every Southern Baptist could have been here. They would have been very thankful for, and proud of, what the Cooperative Program has done in the past, and they would have heard a clear challenge about the future.”

[Read more…]

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MOHLER QUESTIONS ERLC’S ‘UTILITY,’ DRAWS PUSHBACK

By David Roach
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE (BP) – An SBC entity president has expressed “grave doubts” about the usefulness of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) in Southern Baptist life. The ERLC and its advocates followed those comments with a flurry of defense for the Convention’s public policy Commission.

Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said he “has grave doubts about the utility of the ERLC. And it’s not just about the current moment.” He made his comments on an April 30 episode of the Baptist 21 podcast, adding, “It would be wrong for me to lead any such effort” to abolish or defund the ERLC.

ERLC trustee chairman Scott Foshie said in a statement this week, “For over 100 years, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has played a pivotal role in shaping culture and equipping pastors by bringing a distinctively Baptist voice to the public square,” Foshie said. “The board of trustees is steadfast in its commitment to advancing the future of the invaluable service the ERLC provides to its Convention of churches.” [Read more…]

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TBMB DIRECTORS APPROVE NEW COLLABORATIVE MINISTRY MODEL

By David Dawson
Managing editor, Baptist and Reflector

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board directors approved a new collaborative ministry model, examined financial reports, and voted to maintain a two-day schedule for this year’s Summit during their spring meeting at Judson Baptist Church on April 29.

The board also celebrated several ministry milestones while addressing the implementation of organizational changes following a recent 13% staff reduction that has created financial flexibility for the new operational approach.

Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB, explained how the staffing changes support the new ministry direction.

“This adjustment has allowed us margin in our budgeting to take better care of our current team and embrace a new paradigm,” Davis said. “We’re calling church practitioners and experts in the field to assist other churches in being better at what they do for the kingdom. This raises collaboration among churches, associations, and our entities like educational and benevolent ministries.” [Read more…]

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TENNESCENE: APRIL 30

DEATHS

Anderson

Morris Lynn Anderson, 73, died on April 18, 2025, in Maryville.

He was born on May 13, 1951, in Metropolis, Ill.

Anderson was a full-time evangelist and Founder and President of M.A.N.N.A. Ministries. Prior to becoming an evangelist, he was pastor of Dotson Memorial Baptist Church of Maryville, First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, and Central Baptist Church in Winchester, Ky. [Read more…]

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TENN. PASTOR BEGINS SENIOR ADULT REVIVALS CALLED ‘REDEPLOYED’

By David Dawson
Managing editor, Baptist and Reflector

Tennessee pastor Mike Dawson felt called to start a series of senior adult revivals. The services will include messages and music that aim to inspire senior adults.

COLUMBIA — In today’s church culture, senior adults can almost be classified as an unreached people group. 

Not in the traditional sense of the phrase, but rather in the sense that many churches tend to aim their music, message and ministries toward young adults and young families. 

While this strategy can often result in church growth, it can also have the negative side effect of excluding an entire demographic: senior adults.  [Read more…]

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UNION TRUSTEES ADOPT BIBLICAL ANTHROPOLOGY STATEMENT, APPROVE BUDGET

Union University news room

JACKSON — Union University trustees in their April 25 meeting on the Union campus approved a university statement on biblical anthropology, adopted a $98.9 million budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year and granted tenure and promotions to several professors.

The biblical anthropology statement was developed by a group of professors, who collected feedback from the university community. As one of the goals in Protinus (Union’s strategic plan) to advance Christ-centered higher education, the document addresses questions of what it means to be human and provides a biblical basis for those answers that will help faculty teaching in their respective fields.

“The goal of this summary is to bring clarity and to provide guidance for our university and others so that we may more faithfully pursue God’s path individually and corporately thereby pleasing God and knowing the fullness of life He intends for us,” the statement says. [Read more…]

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C-N UNVEILS 3 NEW DEGREE PROGRAMS

Carson-Newman news office

JEFFERSON CITY – Carson-Newman University announced the addition of three new programs starting this fall: Homeland Security and Emergency Management; Artificial Intelligence in Business; and Hospitality and Tourism Management. All three programs are available online or in-person.

Chris Eppling, dean of C-N’s College of Professional Studies, says the new options are strategic by design.

“These three programs each touch on pivotal issues and opportunities facing society and the business world,” said Eppling. “As image-bearers of God and Christian educators, we feel these programs can enhance the lives of our students, benefit our culture and society, and provide opportunities for the world to see C-N graduates serving and leading in their chosen professions.” [Read more…]

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SAND, SURF, AND THE SAVIOR

By Morgan Owen
Collegiate Ministry Specialist, TBMB

College students say God moved powerfully during BeachReach 2025

Students from the University of Tennessee-Martin gather for a group photo during BeachReach 2025 in Panama City, Fla. The group from UTM was among the 300-plus students from Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) who spent their spring breaks sharing the gospel.

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — More than 340 Tennessee Baptist Collegiate Ministry students and leaders used the draw of the Gulf coast’s sand and surf to share the gospel with thousands of spring breakers in Panama City Beach.

Over a three-week period last month, Tennessee BCM groups joined 47 other campus-based/church-based college ministries from across the U.S. to have a kingdom impact on their generation through BeachReach.

With a total of 1,847 participants in 2025, BeachReach had the largest attendance in its history.

Many students expressed that they will always remember being a part of such an outpouring of God’s work. [Read more…]

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