By Roy Hayhurst
Baptist Press
DALLAS — Churches and pastors looking for budget-minded health care coverage as well as protection for their employees and their families have another option to consider coming this summer. [Read more…]
By Roy Hayhurst
Baptist Press
DALLAS — Churches and pastors looking for budget-minded health care coverage as well as protection for their employees and their families have another option to consider coming this summer. [Read more…]
By Art Toalston
Baptist Press
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Timothy George, founding dean of the interdenominational Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, has announced he will step down as dean by the end of the 2018-2019 academic year. [Read more…]
By David Roach
Baptist Press
DALLAS — Tennessee evangelist and pastor Jerry Drace will be nominated for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Union University professor Ernest Easley announced today (May 16). [Read more…]
Union news office
JACKSON — To honor longtime employee Carroll Griffin, Union University has established the Carroll W. Griffin GO Trip Endowment that will help fund its mission efforts around the globe. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
GATLINBURG — Eighteen months after their church buildings were destroyed by the Gatlinburg fires in November of 2016, Roaring Fork Baptist Church “has risen from the ashes.”
The church dedicated its new sanctuary and youth building/fellowship hall on Sunday, May 6.
“The hand of God has been on this congregation,” affirmed Roaring Fork pastor Kim McCroskey. “When the fires came through, God came through right behind them to pull us up and carry us to victory.”
After the church lost its facilities in the fire, McCroskey said, “The fire was tragic but it did not break our spirit.”
That was evident on May 6 as church members, numerous volunteers from Builders for Christ, and others packed the new auditorium to celebrate. [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: View the Cooperative Program video featuring Todd Stinnett at tnbaptist.org/CP or see below.
By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org
KNOXVILLE — Todd Stinnett is a strong believer in synergy, especially when it comes to churches working together to reach the world for Christ.
Indeed, Stinnett, the pastor of Black Oak Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville, said churches need to understand the importance of the concept of “the whole being greater than the sum of its parts” in regard to the Cooperative Program.
“I love being a Tennessee Baptist — a Southern Baptist — because we can come together and put all of our resources together,” said Stinnett. “We can do a whole lot more together than we can separately.” [Read more…]
Ray Van Neste, professor of biblical studies at Union University, Jackson, has been appointed as dean of the university’s School of Theology and Missions. Van Neste has served on the Union faculty since 2001 and also is director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies. He will begin his role as dean on June 1.
Jason Curtis was called in March as pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, Winchester and was ordained on April 8. He formerly was a member of First Baptist Church, Cowan. This is his first pastorate.
David Wall retired as pastor of Harmony Baptist Church, Tullahoma, on March 25. He was named pastor emeritus. Wall founded Unity Baptist Mission in 2005 and the congregation merged with Spring Creek Baptist Church in 2015, taking the name Harmony Baptist Church. He previously served Center Grove Baptist Church, Tullahoma, for 24 years. Wall and his wife Pat were presented gifts of appreciation on April 8. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — Comments made nearly two decades ago by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson on domestic violence have resurfaced in recent weeks.
At issue is a 2000 audio clip circulating online in which Patterson said the proper response of a wife to domestic abuse “depends on the level of abuse to some degree.” Patterson issued an apology on May 10, clarifying his view on domestic violence and saying that “I utterly reject any form of abuse.”
In the wake of that news, several Southern Baptist Convention entity presidents have voiced strong stances against domestic violence. Additionally, an open letter from Southern Baptist women objecting that Patterson has been “allowed to continue in leadership” despite his statements on sexuality and domestic abuse garnered more than 1,800 signatures in its first 24 hours online. Other Southern Baptist women defended Patterson’s character without affirming all his specific comments. [Read more…]
Compiled by B&R staff
FRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board has contributed $10,000 to the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention (HPBC) for disaster relief efforts following eruptions on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Since May 3, the Kilauea volcano has been releasing lava through vents in the ground, destroying 36 structures, including 26 homes, the Associated Press reported. Some 60,000 gallons of flammable liquids had to be removed from a geothermal power plant near the vents, according to CBS News.
Congregations on the island have banded together to pray, secure housing for some of the area’s 2,000 evacuees and, beginning the week of May 13, operate a mobile shower unit, according to Chris Martin, executive director of the HPBC.
“The main focus of our people so far,” Martin told Baptist Press, has been ministry “to the needs that are immediate. But our history and our practice has been a long-term presence with those that have been affected by disasters.”
“Stepping in to meet needs,” Martin added, will “open great doors” for gospel witness.
The TBMB wants to be a partner with the Hawaii convention in opening those doors, said Randy C. Davis, executive director-treasurer of the TBMB.
“It is the custom of the TBMB to share the generosity of Tennessee Baptists when disasters happen in places across the U.S. and around the globe from our Disaster Relief general fund,” David said.
He noted there are DR donations made that do not have a specific need attached with them. “After personally speaking with Dr. Chris Martin and watching the growing need in Hawaii, I knew that Tennessean Baptists would want to help,” Davis continued.
“Initially, we are offering a financial gift to be utilized by their convention’s Disaster Relief volunteers,” Davis said. “The dramatic and developing situation in Hawaii calls for our constant monitoring and constant prayers.”
Martin expressed appreciation for the TBMB gift. “We are continuing to respond to the eruptions on the Big Island and flooding on Kauai. This gift will be a true blessing to our DR teams,” he noted.
“We are very thankful for the networking of TBMB and the HPBC churches and entities,” Martin added.
Gifts designated for “Hawaii Volcano Disaster” can be sent to Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, P. O. Box 682789, Franklin, TN 37068 or online at www.tndisasterrelief.org. NOTE: This article contains reporting from Baptist Press and B&R editor Lonnie Wilkey.
Baptist Press
CORDOVA — Responding to questions about his committee appointments and controversy involving a Southern Baptist seminary leader, SBC President Steve Gaines released a statement today (May 11) to Baptist Press.
Gaines, pastor of Memphis-area Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., specifically addresses the controversy involving past statements by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson on women, divorce and domestic violence. Gaines’ statement also touched on racial diversity and ways Southern Baptists can pray for the SBC leading up to its annual meeting in Dallas, June 12-13. [Read more…]
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