Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector
TOLEDO, Ohio — One day in 2012 Dan Stevenson called the metro Toledo school system office. He got through to an official who listened to his proposal. As a result, a Baptist congregation here which needed a facility was given a school building.
Toledo is located in an area of Ohio which might become a part of an expanded Tennessee/Greater Cincinnati & Dayton, Ohio, Partnership. [Read more…]
By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector
CINCINNATI & DAYTON, Ohio — When some Ohio Baptists offered to do something to reciprocate for all that the Tennessee Baptist missions team had done for them recently, suggesting that they could come to Tennessee on a missions trip, a Tennessee Baptist said, “Go north and return the favor. Go find another place and do what we did here.”
That is some of the sentiment heard by Ohio Baptist leaders as a very busy summer of work by Tennessee missions teams concludes and the Tennessee/Greater Cincinnati & Dayton, Ohio, Baptist Partnership passes its half-way mark. [Read more…]
By Chris Turner
Director of Communications, TBC
ALCOA — Marcario Vasquez didn’t expect to meet Jesus at an informal dinner in a trailer park. In fact, he wasn’t even looking for Jesus. Turns out, he didn’t need to. Jesus was looking for him.
“I’ve never had much interest in religious things or reading the Bible or anything like that,” Vasquez said. “But it was obvious the things Esdras was saying were speaking to my heart.” [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
KNOXVILLE — Mention the names Dean Taylor and Jay Sanders, along with a few others, and watch the face of Shannon Washam light up.
Taylor and Sanders are just two of several young men and women who have accepted Christ and have been mentored by Washam, director of Western Heights Baptist Center, a ministry of Knox County Association of Baptists, which also receives funding through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
NASHVILLE — For 17 years pastor Breonus Mitchell has preached to his congregation at Greater Grace Temple Community Church in East Nashville that they need to rely on faith in God to get them through the pain and suffering of life.
Now, the Tennessee Baptist pastor is having to put into practice what he has preached for so long. [Read more…]
By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector
KINGSPORT — When Gerry Frazier saw a report on Susie Edwards of the Baptist and Reflector staff last year and her struggle with cancer, she made a note.
Soon Edwards was receiving cards and gifts from Anne’s Sisters of Indian Springs Baptist Church here explaining the group’s cancer support ministry. [Read more…]
Baptist and Reflector
BRENTWOOD — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches are being cautioned of a scam that has targeted churches.
At least one known TBC church has been victimized.
In June the church received in the mail the “2014 Annual Minute Form for Tennessee Corporations.” Instructions called for the church to complete the form and return it with $125, which the church did. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
North Carolina congregation returns to Tennessee to say thank you, share gospel
Editor’s Note: Christians are not immune from tragedy and suffering. This issue of the Baptist and Reflector contains several articles and columns of how churches and individuals handle tribulations while at the same time bringing honor and glory to Jesus Christ. We encourage you to pass this issue along to others after you are through it. We have even included the plan of salvation on page 4.
DANDRIDGE — It’s safe to assume that Oct. 2, 2013 will forever be etched in the memories of members of Front Street Baptist Church in Statesville, N.C. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
OLIVER SPRINGS — Living by faith has been a way of life for the members of Beech Park Baptist Church here since 2004.
That was the year the church stepped out in faith and bought an old strip mall for future expansion — with less than $1,000 in the bank.
The mall was located about three-and-a-half miles from where Beech Park had been located since 1904, recalled Pastor Robbie Leach. [Read more…]
By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector
LINDEN — “This building is a work of love … by a bunch of people,” said Tim Bearden last Saturday as the new Worship Center of Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center was dedicated. The service drew about 350 people.
“In my life I’ve never done anything like this,” reported Bearden, who oversaw the construction of the building. He is senior manager, Tennessee Baptist Convention conference centers. [Read more…]