Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches gave $2,801,903 through the Cooperative Program in April.
Year-to-date gifts total $17,476,193. After six months of the 2017-18 budget year, CP giving is up $330,759 or 1.9 percent over the same time frame last year.Cooperative Program gifts also are $226,193 or 1.31 percent over budget needs after six months. [Read more…]
Baptist and Reflector
MOUNT JULIET — The 2018 Bible Drill season culminated at the Missions Mobilization Center in Mount Juliet on May 5 with the Youth and High School State Bible Drills.
For the 17 State Drillers, their journey to this event began many months before, said Donna Blaydes, childhood specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
The state drillers joined approximately 1,300 other 4th through 12th grade students, who participated in Children, Youth and High School Bible Drill at the church level throughout Tennessee Baptist churches. “These drillers were actively involved in learning God’s Word. As they memorized Scripture verses, the reference of key passages, steps to salvation, and Scripture defending what they believe, their love for the Bible increased and the Word became a part of them,” Blaydes said. [Read more…]
By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press
PHILADELPHIA — The Bible tops coffee, social media and sweets as a daily necessity for only 16 percent of the population, according to new research commissioned by the American Bible Society (ABS). [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
Timothy George
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
Jerry Drace
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
Carroll Griffin
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
Worship attendees arrive at Roaring Fork Baptist Church on May 6 for the dedication of the new sanctuary. Roaring Fork lost multiple buildings, including its sanctuary, during the Gatlinburg fires in 2016.
— Photos by Lonnie Wilkey
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
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…]
