Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

HOTEL ROOMS FOR ANNUAL MEETING FILL QUICKLY, MORE TO BE ADDED

By Scott Barkley
Baptist Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Efforts are currently underway to provide additional hotel space for Southern Baptist Convention attendees next summer after demand outpaced that of last year.

More than 16,000 room nights, a new first-day record, have been reserved since reservations came open at 9 a.m. Eastern on Oct. 2. That figure a year ago for New Orleans was at approximately 15,700.

“We are working to secure more rooms to meet those needs,” said Jonathan Howe, interim Executive Committee president and CEO. “Quite simply, the messengers’ demand for rooms exceeds the hotels’ ability to provide large blocks at discounted rates.”

More rooms will be added as they become available. Attendees are encouraged to continuously check back at sbcannualmeeting.net/hotels for availability or add their name to a wait list. On the wait list, attendees will be added to rooms automatically by Executive Committee staff as those rooms become available. B&R

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GENDER TRANSITION BANS UPHELD FOR MINORS IN TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY

By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press

CINCINNATI — Tennessee and Kentucky can prohibit certain gender-transition treatments for minors, a federal court said Sept. 28 in rejecting appeals from parents and others.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit said gender dysphoria is so new a diagnosis that the safety and impact of medical treatments including puberty blockers, hormone treatments and surgeries has not been proven. The court consolidated challenges to the laws in Tennessee and Kentucky in issuing its ruling.

Without the laws, “Tennessee and Kentucky will suffer harm from their inability to enforce the will of their legislatures, to further the public-health considerations undergirding the laws, and to avoid health risks to their children,” the court said in a 2-1 decision. “As for the public interest, Tennessee and Kentucky’s interests in applying these laws to their residents and in being permitted to protect their children from health risks weigh heavily in favor of the States at this juncture.” [Read more…]

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CHURCHES JOIN FORCES TO REACH BLUE OVAL CITY

By David Dawson
Communications specialist, TBMB

Mike Young, senior pastor of Zion Baptist Church, Brownsville, shares the gospel with attendees at the “Blue Oval City Workers Appreciation Block Party.”

STANTON — Although First Baptist Church, Pulaski, is located roughly three hours from Stanton, the members of FBC aren’t allowing the 150-mile separation to keep them from doing what they feel called to do.

Having gone “all in” on their mission to make an impact for Christ at Blue Oval City — the massive Ford auto plant being built in Stanton — the members of FBC are seizing their opportunities.

The church sent volunteers  to serve at Blue Oval City outreach events on two occasions during a three-week stretch in late August and early September, and they are planning to make many more trips in the months ahead. [Read more…]

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ASSOCIATION USES MISSIONS FAIR TO PROMOTE MINISTRIES

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist & Reflector

Pastor Terry England of Gap Creek Baptist Church, Harrogate, right, visits with Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff members Lewis McMullen, left, and Randy Pressnell, right, during a recent missions fair sponsored by Cumberland Gap Baptist Association. It is believed to be the first such event sponsored by the association. See page 4 for coverage.

HARROGATE — Bob Finch served for six years as a director of missions in Kentucky before accepting the same position with Cumberland Gap Baptist Association, headquartered in Harrogate, two years ago.

“The Lord put me there to get me ready for here,” affirmed Finch who is from Rochester, N.Y. and is retired from the Air Force. He has ties to Tennessee through his wife, Sharon, who grew up in nearby LaFollette.

After serving in the association for a while, the association’s Executive Board realized that there were “all kinds of mission opportunities” available for members of the association’s 45 churches that they were not aware of. [Read more…]

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ETBA CHURCHES PROVIDE MINISTRY TO MIGRANT WORKERS IN COCKE CO.

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist & Reflector

Iglesia Bautista Rios de Agua Viva (Rivers of Living Water Baptist Church), coordinates a worship service every Monday night for the migrant ministry of East Tennessee Baptist Association. Director of missions Mike Hensley visited with church members during the Sept. 18 meal and worship service. From left are Patricia Ramirez, Pastor Julio Hernandez, Yaid Hernandez, Hensley, Estrella Velazquez, Cesar Siu, Jesus Velazquez, Karina Siu, Yeni Gomez, Antonio Gomez and Osiel Gomez (small boy).

NEWPORT — For approximately 30 years, churches in East Tennessee Baptist Association have been ministering to migrant workers in Cocke County in one form or another.

Mike Hensley, former pastor of Swannsylvania Baptist Church, Dandridge, was one of several individuals and pastors in the association who played an instrumental role in developing the ministry. Hensley is still active in it today as director of missions for the association.

Though the ownership of the farm has transitioned from local owners to a national corporation (Pacific Tomato Company) and other churches and associations have been involved at various times, the churches in ETBA have remained committed to the ministry, Hensley affirmed.  [Read more…]

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TBMB DIRECTORS PROPOSE $35 MILLION CP BUDGET

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist & Reflector

FRANKLIN — Directors of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board are proposing a Cooperative Program budget of $35 million for 2023-24.

If approved by messengers during the annual meeting at The Summit in Chattanooga in November, it will be the fourth consecutive year the budget has stayed at $35 million.

The budget allocation will remain the same: 52.5 percent for Tennessee Baptist Convention ministries and 47.5 percent for the Southern Baptist Convention. [Read more…]

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TENNSCENE: SEP. 27

LEADERS

Hopewell Baptist Church, Springfield, called Brad Hall as pastor in August. He preached his first sermon at Hopewell on Sept. 3.

Phillip Senn recently resigned as pastor of Enon Baptist Church, Halls. He is available for pulpit supply or interim pastorates. He can be reached at pcsenn@gmail.com or 731-446-9538.

DEATHS

Paul Stewart Moody, retired pastor of Erin Baptist Church, Erin, died Aug. 1, 2023. He was given the title pastor emeritus at Erin Baptist after serving the church for 30 years. He was 85. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Moody, two children and four grandchildren.

Jack James Price of Ooltewah, retired pastor of Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, Cleveland, died Aug. 16. He was 88. Following retirement, he served as interim pastor of several churches in the area. Price, who was preceded in death by his wife, is survived by his two children and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Robert “Bobby” L. Kitts, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Morristown, and former longtime pastor of Agape Baptist Church,White Pine, died Aug. 9 at the age of 70. He led several churches throughout Hamblen, Jefferson, Greene and Grainger counties. Kitts was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy. He is survived by two children and eight grandchildren.

Edward G. Hamil, retired pastor of Hatchie Baptist Church, Hornsby, and many other churches throughout the country died Aug. 20 at the age of 82. Hamil is survived by his wife Aelena, six children and 31 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

  • The Noah’s Ark Widows’ Ministry of Ethridge First Baptist Church held their 13th celebration on Sept. 2 at the church. The group began with only six members, but to date has 124 members. The group sponsors several ministries: In April they traveled to the Appalachian Trail to minister to the hikers, and they are currently preparing to host a Baby Tent at the Middle Tennessee District Fair in addition to other local ministries. Members agree that their grief pain is lessened by ministering to others. They meet on the first Saturday of each month from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall of Ethridge FBC. All widows are invited to attend. Members who attended the celebration recently were (not in order) co-leaders Debbie Griffin and Diane Hildenbrandt, Sally Riley, Jackie Hyde, Kay Stoneburner, Marlys Smith, Kay Parker, Fay Dodson, Janet Haun, Reba Hollis, Linda Huntley, Virginia Fenn, Jane Jennings, Sara Gobble, Margie Kobeck, Becky Bales, Sherry Jones, Jody Konig, Wanda Pruitt, Bobbie Huntley, Maria Massey, Gail Renfro, Betty Liles and Pat Myhan.
    The Noah’s Ark Widows’ Ministry of Ethridge First Baptist Church held their 13th celebration on Sept. 2 at the church. The group began with only six members, but to date has 124 members. The group sponsors several ministries: In April they traveled to the Appalachian Trail to minister to the hikers, and they are currently preparing to host a Baby Tent at the Middle Tennessee District Fair in addition to other local ministries. Members agree that their grief pain is lessened by ministering to others. They meet on the first Saturday of each month from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall of Ethridge FBC. All widows are invited to attend. Members who attended the celebration recently were (not in order) co-leaders Debbie Griffin and Diane Hildenbrandt, Sally Riley, Jackie Hyde, Kay Stoneburner, Marlys Smith, Kay Parker, Fay Dodson, Janet Haun, Reba Hollis, Linda Huntley, Virginia Fenn, Jane Jennings, Sara Gobble, Margie Kobeck, Becky Bales, Sherry Jones, Jody Konig, Wanda Pruitt, Bobbie Huntley, Maria Massey, Gail Renfro, Betty Liles and Pat Myhan.
  • Women on Mission at Beulah Baptist Church, Kingsport, hosted their annual salad supper on Sept. 5 with guest speaker, Beth Moore, compassion ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. She presented information on how Tennessee churches are meeting needs through compassion ministry. There were 18 in attendance. From left are, back row, Shirley Lane, Shelia Shaw, Gloria Hobbs, Sandra Gardner, Charlene Jessee, Vivian Bradshaw, Angela Presnell, Sarah Presnell, Becky Sexton; front row, Jackie Crosby, Marsha Davis, Lynn Rodgers, Beth Moore, Poppy Sexton, Phyllis Campbell and Stella Sexton. — Photo by Sue Robertson
    Women on Mission at Beulah Baptist Church, Kingsport, hosted their annual salad supper on Sept. 5 with guest speaker, Beth Moore, compassion ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. She presented information on how Tennessee churches are meeting needs through compassion ministry. There were 18 in attendance. From left are, back row, Shirley Lane, Shelia Shaw, Gloria Hobbs, Sandra Gardner, Charlene Jessee, Vivian Bradshaw, Angela Presnell, Sarah Presnell, Becky Sexton; front row, Jackie Crosby, Marsha Davis, Lynn Rodgers, Beth Moore, Poppy Sexton, Phyllis Campbell and Stella Sexton.
  • Calvary Baptist Church, Waynesboro, ordained three new deacons on Aug. 27. From left are Sawyer Ray, AMS, Indian Creek Baptist Association; deacons Jarrod Davis, Elbert York, Gary Mitchell and pastor Jacob Kitchens.
    Calvary Baptist Church, Waynesboro, ordained three new deacons on Aug. 27. From left are Sawyer Ray, AMS, Indian Creek Baptist Association; deacons Jarrod Davis, Elbert York, Gary Mitchell and pastor Jacob Kitchens.
  • Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers joined forces with the Cumberland Gap DR team to provide lunch during the recent missions fair sponsored by Cumberland Gap Baptist Association at Pump Springs Baptist Church in Harrogate. See story on page 6. Volunteers, from left, are Larry Ray, Lloyd Phillips, Johnny Conkin, Donna Wilson, Joe Martin (Cumberland Gap Association DR director) and Robert Wilkerson.
    Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers joined forces with the Cumberland Gap DR team to provide lunch during the recent missions fair sponsored by Cumberland Gap Baptist Association at Pump Springs Baptist Church in Harrogate. See story on page 6. Volunteers, from left, are Larry Ray, Lloyd Phillips, Johnny Conkin, Donna Wilson, Joe Martin (Cumberland Gap Association DR director) and Robert Wilkerson.

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ASIAN AMERICAN CHURCH LEADERS CALL FOR SBC EC TO CONSIDER ‘ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS’ TO LAYOFFS

By The Baptist Paper

NASHVILLE —  A group of Asian American church leaders are expressing their “profound concern, dismay and disappointment” following staff cuts by the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee that included two associate vice president positions responsible for overseeing ethnic relations.

On Sept. 13, the EC announced it was cutting five full-time staff positions and two contractor positions in an effort to help cover rising costs related to the SBC Annual Meeting and to decrease the amount being pulled from the EC investments. Those cuts bring the EC staff down to 21 full-time positions. (Read more about the EC’s recent meeting here.) [Read more…]

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CHURCH QUADRUPLES GOTM IN FOUR WEEKS

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist & Reflector

Rita Wadlington, left, former WMU director at South Harriman Baptist Church, and Gina Ford, new WMU Director, stand with pastor James Griffith.

HARRIMAN — When James Griffith became pastor of South Harriman Baptist Church nearly two years ago, he knew he was coming to a church that believed in and supported missions. 

One thing he observed, however, was the church’s support of the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions was not near the level of support for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering or the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. 

The church has traditionally had a goal of $4,000 for GOTM and has met it, Griffith said. 

Working with current WMU director Rita Wadlington and incoming director Gina Ford, they decided to set this year’s goal at $15,000, the pastor noted.  [Read more…]

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WHAT SOUTHERN BAPTIST STATE CONVENTIONS ARE DOING TO PREVENT ABUSE

By ERLC staff

ERLC staff

Over the past several years, Southern Baptists state conventions and associations have been taking significant steps to prevent abuse within their churches and provide support for survivors. While the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has faced criticism for its handling of sexual abuse cases in the past, many state conventions are now prioritizing abuse prevention and survivor care.

Here is a sampling of the efforts made by various state groups to address this issue and protect the vulnerable within our congregations. [Read more…]

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