Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

IMB’S DAVID PLATT TO RETURN TO PASTORATE

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector

David Platt

GALVESTON, Texas — As the search begins for a new International Mission Board president, outgoing president David Platt said he believes the IMB is “financially healthy, physically strong, and practically ready.”

Two days after announcing he was stepping down as IMB president, Platt spoke to a group of editors on Feb. 14 at the annual Association of State Baptist Publications meeting in Galveston. Platt told the ASBP conference attendees that he made the decision to leave the IMB office “because I believe that is what God is leading me to do.” [Read more…]

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CHURCHES WEEP, MINISTER AFTER FLA. SCHOOL SHOOTING

by Nicole Kalil
Florida Baptist Convention

A cross-denominational prayer vigil was hosted by Parkridge Church after the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., in which 17 were killed and 14 injured. — Photo by Keila Diaz

PARKLAND, Fla. — Florida Baptists are reeling along with all of Florida and the nation after a gunman opened fire at a Parkland high school yesterday (Feb. 14), leaving 17 dead and 14 injured. [Read more…]

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GAINES REFLECTS ON IMB SEARCH, SBC PRESIDENCY

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, B&R

SBC president Steve Gaines talks to editors at the annual Association of State Baptist Publications meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Photo by David Dawson.

GALVESTON, Texas — The next president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board needs to be someone who is in love and in tune with Jesus and “has a love for the world,” said Steve Gaines, president of the Southern Baptist Convention. [Read more…]

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TRUSTEES: NAMB INTRODUCES ‘SEND PUERTO RICO’

By Mike Ebert
Baptist Press

Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board (NAMB), addressed members of NAMB’s Board of Trustees at their Feb. 6 meeting in Alpharetta, Ga. — Photo (by Hayley Catt) from Baptist Press.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The North American Mission Board is adding Puerto Rico to its list of special areas that will receive increased attention and resources for church planting, Send Relief ministries and partnership opportunities with Southern Baptist churches that want to minister on the island. NAMB president Kevin Ezell shared the plans with NAMB trustees Tuesday (Feb. 6). [Read more…]

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PLATT TO STEP DOWN AS IMB PRESIDENT

By Julie McGowan
IMB public relations

RICHMOND — International Mission Board President David Platt has asked the mission agency’s trustees to begin searching for his successor. Platt announced his decision to IMB field personnel and staff on Monday, Feb. 12, in person and via email to those not in Richmond. [Read more…]

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NEW NAME, NEW VISION, RENEWED PURPOSE

By Janice Backer
Contributing Writer

The word “replant” according to Webster’s dictionary means: to plant again or anew.  For Magna View Baptist Church — now Grace Point Baptist — it means a fresh start.

Although the building and property will remain in the same location east of Jefferson City (1170 East Highway 11E), the congregation has voted to replant the church — with a new name, a new vision and a rededication of its purpose to share the gospel of Christ and make disciples. [Read more…]

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ISRAEL TRIP STRENGTHENS BONDS WITH STATE DOMs

By Nathan Handley

Tennessee Baptist directors of missions gather at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem during a recent trip to Israel sponsored by Union University and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

JACKSON  —  Union University and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board partnered to send 25 directors of missions to Israel for the first time in January.

Union University President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver led the trip alongside Nathan Finn, dean of Union’s School of Theology and Missions, and Ernest Easley, professor of evangelism at Union. Easley said he decided he wanted to send these directors of missions to Israel after realizing at their annual meeting in April that almost none of them had visited the country before. He said he was blessed to be able to work with Union to provide that opportunity. Willie McLaurin represented the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board on the trip. [Read more…]

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‘ROLLING’ RIGHT ALONG

The dates that helped shape Rolling Hills Community Church

Fall of 2002: God leads Jeff Simmons and a few others to plant what is now “Rolling Hills Community Church.” It begins with a core team of 15 people gathering in the Alara Farms apartment clubhouse on Thursday nights (photo on right). During this time, the church develops its philosophies and begins its dedication to missions by sending a team of 18 people to Moldova. [Read more…]

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BUILT ON FAITHFULNESS, MIRACLES

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector

Thriving now, Rolling Hills Community Church started as small church plant

Before moving to its new building, Rolling Hills Community Church met at the Marriott in Cool Springs — and pastor Jeff Simmons baptized new believers in the indoor swimming pool.

FRANKLIN — Jeff Simmons wasn’t so sure he wanted to start a church. He wasn’t convinced that people would come, and he wasn’t certain the church would ever get off the ground.

Then God brought something to his heart that completely changed his perspective.

“God reminded me that he hasn’t called us to be successful,” said Simmons. “He has called us to be faithful.” [Read more…]

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