Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

SWBTS TRUSTEES UPHOLD FIRING

Baptist Press

Southwestern Seminary trustees prayed for their presidential search committee during an Oct. 17 general session of the board.
-Photo by Adam Covington/SWBTS

FORT WORTH, Texas — In a meeting characterized by unity despite differences of opinion, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s trustees voted to uphold the trustee executive committee’s decision in May to terminate former president Paige Patterson.

The board also heard a report from its presidential search committee and affirmed an administration decision to discipline a faculty member — though the faculty member was not named during the board’s public session. [Read more…]

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CHRISTMAS BACKPACK COLLECTION INFORMATION

Editor’s Note: Tennessee Baptists are participating in “Christmas Backpacks for Children and Teens” (see story “Blessings in Backpacks” in the Sept. 26 issue of the B&R).

Backpack Collection Timeline and Locations:

Englewood Baptist – East Campus | Nov. 5-8, 2018, 9am-4pm
1646 Highway 70 East, Jackson
Contact: Randy Pool: 731-431-7101

TBMB Missions Mobilization Center | Nov. 5-8, 2018, 9am-4pm
6434 John Hagar Road, Mt. Juliet
Contact: Elizabeth Holmes: 615-371-7926

God’s Warehouse | Nov. 5-8, 2018, 9am-4pm
3441 W. Andrew Johnson Hwy, Morristown
Contact: Don Owen: 865-384-8691

If you plan to bring your backpacks to the Summit, contact Joe Sorah (423-895-1481) or Randy Pool (731-431-7101). For more information about Christmas Backpacks, please see www.tnbaptist.org/backpacks or contact Joe Sorah.

From Joe Sorah, compassion ministry specialist, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board:

“Thank you for all those who are donating Christmas Backpacks this year. We have many churches that are requesting our assistance and your participation is greatly needed. As the collection dates are nearing, we want to remind you of where to take your backpacks and ask that you call your collection center in advance to schedule a delivery time.”

“Please know that we appreciate all you are doing to help with Christmas Backpacks. Join with us in praying that many children and family members will respond to the gospel this Christmas.”

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RELAX, REFOCUS & REFRESH

Sabbaticals can help combat burnout, depression for pastors, ministry workers

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

The conference center at Linden Valley provides a great place for pastors and staff members to break away from the noise and spend time with the Lord.
— Photo by Kazeray Campbell.

FRANKLIN — For Pete Tackett, the importance of taking a day off is as clear as the stubble on his face.

Tackett, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Johnson City, admits that he often finds himself caught up in the treadmill-style work patterns that so many pastors and staff members encounter. But he said one of the keys to escaping the cycle is to set boundaries — and stick to them.

“My definition of a true Sabbath is a day when I get to decide whether I have to shave or not,” said Tackett. “That might seem like a funny thing to say, but in the church world, when you are always on the clock, it’s necessary to have a day where you say, ‘I’m going to be free to decide what I want to do.’ ” [Read more…]

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MERCYME ENTERTAINS MORE THAN 1,600 AT UNION SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET

From Union University

MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard sings during the band’s performance at Union University’s 21st annual Scholarship Banquet on Oct. 18. Photo contributed by Union University.

JACKSON, Tenn. — A concert by Christian recording artist MercyMe was the highlight of the 21st annual Union University Scholarship Banquet on Oct. 18, with more than 1,600 people in attendance at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. [Read more…]

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BETH MOORE: PARENTING GOAL FOCUSED ON JESUS

By Tom Strode
Baptist Press

Beth Moore shares about parenting during an interview with Russell Moore Oct. 12 at the ERLC national conference in Grapevine, Texas. Photo by Karen McCutcheon, BP

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Beth Moore’s primary parenting goal was for her daughters to know Jesus is everything, the popular Bible teacher told the audience at the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s 2018 national conference. [Read more…]

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JAM CHALLENGES KIDS TO MAKE CHRIST KNOWN

Baptist and Reflector

Children and leaders gather for a time of exciting worship and learning during Middle Tennessee JAM 2018.

MOUNT JULIET — Middle Tennessee JAM (Journey Adventures in Missions) 2018, a missions event for boys and girls in grades 1-6, including Girls in Action, Royal Ambassadors and Children in Action, took place Sept. 29 at Victory Baptist Church in Mount Juliet.

JAM allows children from across the state to come together to learn more about what it means to know God and make him known, said Juliana Wilson, communications/childhood missions specialist for Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union. The Middle Tennessee event was the first of three JAM events which will take place in each grand division of the state, she added.

The group of 275 children, leaders and volunteers attending JAM learned fun new ways they could make Christ known to their families, communities, country and world.
[Read more…]

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CARSON-NEWMAN SERVICE BLITZ PROVIDES AID

Carson-Newman news office

Bill Hadam, a freshman communications major from Knoxville, joins other Carson-Newman University students in participating in Operation Inasmuch on Sept. 29 throughout a four-county region.

JEFFERSON CITY — In an outpouring of love for the community, 570 student volunteers from Carson-Newman University fanned across four counties during the university’s annual Operation Inasmuch day of service. [Read more…]

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FROM CALIFORNIA TO TENNESSEE VIA TEXAS

Non-typical Southern Baptist pastor leads church to impact community

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

Pastor Donnie De La Cruz leads a Bible study between skateboarding sessions at Dumplin Baptist Church in New Market.

NEW MARKET — Donnie De La Cruz would be the first person to tell you that he’s not your typical, everyday Baptist preacher in East Tennessee. And, most people who know him would agree wholeheartedly.

But, those who know him well would also say he’s totally sold out on telling lost people about the love of Jesus Christ and leading Dumplin Baptist Church in New Market to reach its community for Christ.

What makes De La Cruz different from most of his colleagues in Jefferson County Baptist Association? [Read more…]

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TENNESSEE DR VOLUNTEERS HEADED TO FLORIDA

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Photo: NAMB

FRANKLIN — With teams deployed, and still needed, in North Carolina, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers will be doing “double duty” in the days ahead.

DR teams will head to Crawfordville, Fla., on Saturday, Oct. 12, to set up incident command, chain saw teams and feeding, shower and laundry units. Volunteers will be headquartered at Lake Ellen Baptist Church in Crawfordville, said Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. [Read more…]

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SS TEACHERS SHARE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS

Joyce Rice and Mary Jo Swaim still teaching first graders after 35 years

By Lonnie Wilkey

lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Mary Jo Swaim, left, and Joyce Rice have been teaching the first grade Sunday School class at First Baptist Church, Covington, for 35 years. With them are members of their current class.

COVINGTON — Joyce Rice and Mary Jo Swaim have been friends for more than 35 years. More importantly, however, they have teamed up to share the love of Jesus Christ with first graders at First Baptist Church, Covington, over that same period of time.  [Read more…]

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