Victor Hou delivers the W.D. Powell Missions Lecture at Union University in Jackson.

JACKSON — Lostness in the world is the greatest problem Christians face, Victor Hou told a Union University audience Feb. 1 as part of the annual W.D. Powell Missions Lecture.

“Despite wars, despite human trafficking, despite homelessness, crime, lots of other things, lostness is the only problem that will stay with us for eternity,” said Hou, who serves as associate vice president for global advance at the International Mission Board.

Named after a Union alumnus and a pioneer Southern Baptist missionary to Mexico in the late 1800s, the W.D. Powell Missions Lecture Series is cosponsored by Union’s School of Theology and Missions and the IMB to honor Union alumni who have served in international missions. [Read more…]

Leaders involved in the ministry of White Oak Baptist Church’s “Access Campus) are, from left, John Trewhella, associate pastor at White Oak; Timothy Li, pastor of the Chinese Christian Church of Chattanooga; Tony Wilson, pastor of White Oak Baptist Church, Chattanooga; and Dennis Culbreth director of missions, Hamilton County Baptist Association.

CHATTANOOGA — When the membership of Chamberlain Memorial Baptist Church in Chattanooga began to decline, the 30 or so remaining members contacted White Oak Baptist Church and pastor Tony Wilson eight years ago about a possible merger between the two congregations.

Wilson was well acquainted with Chamberlain Memorial, having served as their youth minister nearly 30 years earlier.

“I loved the people there and God worked in a sweet way,” Wilson recalled.

Wilson took the proposal to the leadership at White Oak and after much prayer and consideration, the two churches merged with Chamberlain Memorial giving its buildings and property to White Oak to use as a satellite campus, now known as the Access Campus of White Oak Baptist Church. [Read more…]

Leading Mountain View Baptist Church in Johnson City is a primarily bivocational staff. From left are Melanie Hicks, children’s director; Catie Fair (full-time office administrator); Kenny Adkins, associate pastor; Rich Murray, pastor; Kelly Davenport, worship leader; and Taylor Pruett, youth pastor. Not pictured is Rick Huber, associate pastor.

PIGEON FORGE  — Pastor Rich Murray of Mountain View Baptist Church in Johnson City is  bivocational and proud of it.

“If it worked for (the Apostle) Paul, why wouldn’t it work for me?” he asked.

Murray observed that Paul modeled what it meant to be bivocational. “There is nothing more biblical,” he affirmed. “I believe that to be anything else would be a demotion for me because I’m called to be a bivocational pastor. I have very little doubt about it.”

Not only is he bivocational at Mountain View, so is the entire ministerial staff. The only full-time staff person is Catie Fair, the office administrator. [Read more…]

Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary in Ontario, Calif., and author of Leading Major Change in Your Organization, speaks to attendees via Zoom at the recent Focus Days retreat held at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center. — Photo by Chris Turner

LINDEN — Change is inevitable in all areas of life and includes changes for individuals, businesses and even denominational organizations and churches, says seminary president Jeff Iorg.

Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary in Ontario, Calif., and author of Leading Major Change in Your Organization, speaks from experience.

“Even healthy organizations need major seasons of change,” he observed.

Iorg made his observations via a Zoom meeting during the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Focus Week Feb. 5-7 at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden. He led Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley (near San Francisco) to relocate to Ontario (near Los Angeles) and to change its name from Golden Gate to Gateway. [Read more…]