News Archives - Baptist & Reflector

FOUNDER OF MID-AMERICA BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY DIES AT 94

February 14, 2019

Dr. B. Gray Allison established global institution through conservative ‘Bible, missions and evangelism’ leadership

From Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary communications department

Dr. B. Gray Allison

MEMPHIS — Dr. B. Gray Allison, the founder of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, died on Feb. 12. He was 94.

Known as “Dr. Gray” by friends and associates, he served as Mid-America’s president from its inception in 1972 until 1997. After that time he continued to serve as professor and chair of the evangelism department. [Read more…]

GREEAR ADDRESSES UNREPORTED VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

February 11, 2019

By J.D. Greear & Brad Hambrick
Baptist Press

J.D. Greear

DURHAM, N.C. — Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear has set forth counsel to victims of sexual abuse who have not yet sought help.

An article coauthored with biblical counselor Brad Hambrick has been posted at Greear’s website, jdgreear.com, and is printed in full below. [Read more…]

PAPER’S SEXUAL ABUSE REPORT LEAVES SBC’S GREEAR ‘BROKEN’

February 11, 2019

By Art Toalston
Baptist Press

EDITOR’S NOTE FROM BP: This story was updated Feb. 11 at 7:30 a.m. Central time.

HOUSTON — A Houston newspaper, in reporting on instances of sexual abuse by pastors and others at Southern Baptist churches, has left SBC President J.D. Greear “broken over what was revealed today.”

“The abuses described in this @HoustonChron article are pure evil,” Greear stated in a series of tweets after the Houston Chronicle reported today (Feb. 10) on instances of abuse by ministers, youth pastors, Sunday School teachers, deacons and church volunteers. [Read more…]

IMB’S CHITWOOD TAPS LAFFERTY

February 8, 2019

Baptist Press

Todd and Susan Lafferty visit the Taj Mahal in the Indian city of Agra in 2012. The Laffertys served as International Mission Board personnel in a nearby country, sharing the gospel among South Asia’s 1.5 billion people who have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

RICHMOND — International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood announced Jan. 30 that Todd Lafferty will be presented to the entity’s board of trustees as his recommendation for the IMB’s next executive vice president. IMB trustees, who meet Feb. 6-7 in Richmond, are responsible for electing the person who serves in that role.

Lafferty currently serves as pastor of mobilization for Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. He and his wife Susan previously served with the IMB for nearly 29 years. [Read more…]

BACKGROUND CHECKS: A NECESSITY, NOT AN OPTION, FOR CHURCHES

February 8, 2019

Baptist And Reflector

NASHVILLE — As accounts of sexual abuse in churches increase, congregations are more aware than ever that background checks for volunteers and staff are now a necessity and not an option to consider.

A 2018 survey, conducted by LifeWay Research in Nashville, revealed that 12 percent of Protestant pastors say someone on church staff has sexually harassed a congregation member at some point in the church’s life, while 16 percent say a staff member has experienced sexual harassment in a church setting. [Read more…]

TOGETHERNESS, UNITY MARK IMB PRESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION

February 7, 2019

By Ann Lovell
IMB communications office

Paul and Michelle Chitwood enjoy a moment with newly appointed IMB missionaries at the IMB installation and sending celebration Feb. 6 at Grove Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond. Chitwood was installed as the 13th president of the IMB during the Sending Celebration of 19 new missionaries. — IMB Photo by Roy Burroughs

RICHMOND, Va. — Unity, fellowship and promises of mutual support characterized the installation of International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood, a native of Jellico, Tenn., and the Sending Celebration of 19 newly appointed international missionaries at Grove Avenue Baptist Church, in Richmond, Wednesday, Feb. 6. Chitwood is the 13th president of the 173-year-old International Mission Board, the largest denominational missionary-sending body among American evangelicals. [Read more…]

AMAZING GROWTH: FROM 45 TO 400-PLUS

February 7, 2019

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

Pastor David Mackens stands outside the current sanctuary of Lone Oak Baptist Church in Cumberland Furnace. Under his leadership the church has grown from about 45 to more than 450. The church is in the process of building a new facility in the nearby Cunningham community of Montgomery County.

CUNNINGHAM — David Mackens is well aware there are not many openings for former Pentecostal pastors in Southern Baptist life.

But nearly 12 years ago, there was an opening at Lone Oak Baptist Church in Cumberland Furnace and Mackens was asked to preach one Sunday. Though he was, indeed, a former Pentecostal pastor, they asked him to come back and serve on an interim basis until the church found a pastor.

Mackens agreed, but made it clear the pastor would not be him. He was wrong. In December of 2007, the church called him as pastor and he accepted. [Read more…]

TENNESCENE: FEB. 6-19

February 6, 2019

LEADERS

Fellowship Baptist Church, Milan, has called Ron Harper as minister of music.

Larry Gilmore, a retired Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (then Executive Board) and past Tennessee Baptist Convention president, has been called as interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Milan.

Roger P. Freeman

Roger Freeman recently announced his retirement as pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Nashville. Freeman is a past president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. He will continue to serve as an “ambassador” to pastors in Tennessee for the North American Mission Board, based in Alpharetta, Ga.

First Baptist Church, Rutherford, has called Zachery McCain as pastor.

Oak Grove Baptist Church, Milan, has called Bill Rice as interim pastor.

West Side Baptist Church, has called Stephen Powell as interim pastor. [Read more…]

RETIREE FOLLOWS GOD’S CALL TO PASTOR HIS FIRST CHURCH

February 6, 2019

Four Mile Baptist, a congregation of 28, had five baptisms in 2018

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

David Oliver and his wife, Carol, recently attended the Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat for the second time. Oliver became pastor of his first church slightly more than a year ago at the age of 68.

PIGEON FORGE — At an age when most pastors are stepping away from the ministry or moving into interim or supply work, David Oliver did just the opposite.

At the age of 68, Oliver became pastor of Four Mile Baptist Church in Maryville.

And, what’s more, God blessed in a mighty way. His small congregation of 28 people saw five people baptized last year, along with four other additions. The church also started a special-needs class and began a nursing home ministry. [Read more…]

FRIENDSHIPS FORMED AT RETREAT STILL GOING STRONG 10 YEARS LATER

February 6, 2019

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Pastor Jim Haggard, Middlebrook Pike Baptist, Knoxville, and his wife, Patty, have experienced life-changing connections at the Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat.

PIGEON FORGE — When he was invited to the Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat for the first time, Jim Haggard wasn’t even sure if he wanted to go.

Ten years later, he now considers it to be one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

Haggard, the pastor of Middlebrook Baptist Church in Knoxville, was dealing with the death of both of his parents — who had passed away about two months apart — when he was invited to attend the retreat. [Read more…]

Dr. B. Gray Allison established global institution through conservative ‘Bible, missions and evangelism’ leadership

LEADERS

Four Mile Baptist, a congregation of 28, had five baptisms in 2018

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