Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

CHURCH GIVES PROPERTY, LAND FOR REPLANT

Baptist and Reflector

Pastor Eliab Saenz signs paperwork giving property from South Gate Baptist Church, Nashville, to Iglesia Bautista Renacer.

NASHVILLE — South Gate Baptist Church in Nashville has given its building and 11 acres, valued at $750,000, to Iglesia Bautista Renacer.

The signing of paperwork on Jan. 7 marked the celebration and culmination of months of study and prayer by members of South Gate, according to Rusty Sumrall, director of missions for Nashville Baptist Association

Sumrall said that South Gate began looking into revitalization in the spring of 2017. After studying five different options for the future, the congregation entered into a time of prayer, he recalled. [Read more…]

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EC CONSIDERS DC CONVENTION, MISSION BOARD MERGER

Baptist Press

Stephen Rummage, chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, presided over the EC’s Feb. 19-20 meeting in Nashville. Photo by Morris Abernathy (for Baptist Press).

NASHVILLE — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has given the District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC) 90 days to “secure” the “the removal of any churches from its fellowship that have demonstrated a faith or practice affirming, approving or endorsing homosexual behavior,” according to a recommendation adopted by the EC Feb. 20.

If such churches remain in friendly cooperation with the DCBC after that period, the DCBC will lose its authorization “to receive and disburse Cooperative Program and other SBC contributions,” the EC stated during its Feb. 19-20 meetings in Nashville. [Read more…]

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EDITORS AFFIRM STATE EXECS

Baptist and Reflector

GALVESTON, Texas — During the annual meeting of the Association of State Baptist Publications held Feb. 12-15 in Galveston, Texas, Baptist editors affirmed the work of Baptist state convention executive directors.

Editors unanimously adopted “A Resolution of Appreciation for State Executive Directors.”

The resolution was presented by Gerald Harris, editor of The Christian Index in Georgia, who noted he enjoys a good relationship with his state executive director, J. Robert White. [Read more…]

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FOR ‘CHUBBY CHALLENGE’ PARTICIPANTS, LESS IS MORE

Davis encouraging Tennessee Baptists to put high priority on health and fitness

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector

FRANKLIN — When Tennessee Baptist Mission Board president and executive director Randy C. Davis first launched a fitness initiative — called “The Chubby Challenge” — in January of 2015, he encouraged the participants to lose 10 percent of their body weight.

Ryan Culpepper, the pastor of the Mary’s Chapel Baptist Church, proved to be up to the “Challenge.” In fact, Culpepper not only met the 10-percent goal, but surpassed it — nearly five times over.

“Getting healthy has greatly helped me as a husband, father, pastor, preacher, and friend,” said Culpepper. “(Before the Challenge), I was on the pathway to an early grave.” [Read more…]

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MERRITT TO HEADLINE EVANGELISM RALLY

By Nathan Handley
Union University

James Merritt.
Photo credit: Cross Pointe Church

JACKSON — James Merritt, lead pastor at Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Ga., will be the keynote speaker at the third annual West Tennessee Evangelism Rally on March 4 at Union University. [Read more…]

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TN BAPTISTS REFLECT ON BILLY GRAHAM

Baptist & Reflector 

“Dr. Billy Graham was indeed America’s pastor and a great global ambassador for Christ. His gospel-centered message was always clear as he made one simple appeal, ‘Come to Jesus.’ As a Southern Baptist, he epitomized everything good about our Great Commission focus.”

Randy C. Davis, TBMB president and executive director [Read more…]

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BILLY GRAHAM DIES AT AGE 99

Tennessee Baptists Remember Graham’s Last Crusade in Nashville

Editor’s Note: A post with quotes from Tennessee Baptists about the impact of Billy Graham and his ministry is also available.

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, B&R

The marketing poster from the Billy Graham Crusade held in Nashville.

FRANKLIN — Southern Baptists’ (and the world’s) most widely recognized evangelist died Feb. 21 in Montreat, N.C., at the age of 99.

Known as “America’s pastor,” Billy Graham reached millions of people with the gospel over his decades-long ministry. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association says Graham’s audience has reached nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories. [Read more…]

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GROUP MAKES POSITIVE STRIDES TOWARD FITNESS

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector

James and Joyce Forbes, walk the track with the Striders Club. The track is located at the gym in the family life center at Tusculum Hills Baptist Church.
— Photos by Corinne Rochotte

NASHVILLE — For many people, “going for a walk” is a leisurely activity.

For the members of the Striders Club, it’s serious business.

Each lap around the track at the Tusculum Hills Baptist Church family life center is purposeful for the roughly 100 individuals who make up the club. The members of the group keep detailed logs of their “mileage” and those who reach certain totals — milestones, you could say — are rewarded with various prizes, such as hats, T-shirts, jackets, and gift cards.

Granted, the club members have plenty of fun and fellowship while participating in the program. But the ultimate objective is exercise and fitness.

Created 10 years ago by Tusculum Hills Baptist Church minister of senior adults and recreation Bill Highsmith, the club is open to anyone above the age of the 16, but is predominantly comprised of senior adults. [Read more…]

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EXERCISE ROUTINE BECOMES MINISTRY TOOL

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Pastor Justin Randolph of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville, leads a devotion prior to a workout at The Fit Factory in Sevierville. Randolph and his wife, Stephanie, joined the fitness center more than a year ago and it has opened doors of ministry for them both.

SEVIERVILLE — When Justin Randolph signed up more than a year ago for a month’s membership at a fitness club, he thought he was doing it in order to spend time with his wife and get some exercise.

Little did he know that the membership would not only accomplish that goal, but it also would lead to an opportunity for Christian ministry and witness.

Randolph, pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville, actually bought the membership as a Christmas gift for his wife Stephanie. “We were looking for something to do as a couple while wanting to get in shape and lose a few pounds,” he recalled. [Read more…]

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ECONOMY HELPS BOOST CHURCH OFFERINGS

By Bob Smietana
Lifeway News Office

NASHVILLE — Church collection plates were a little bit fuller last fall, according to Nashville-based LifeWay Research.

About 40 percent of Protestant pastors say their churches received more offerings in 2017 than in 2016.

Three-quarters say their church met or exceeded budget.

And only about a third say the economy gave their church trouble.

Those are among the findings of a new report from LifeWay Research, based on a survey of 1,000 Protestant senior pastors. LifeWay Research has tracked the impact of the economy on churches since 2009, said Scott McConnell, executive director, and this is the first time the majority of pastors said the economy isn’t troubling their church. [Read more…]

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