Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

TBC CP GIFTS ABOVE BUDGET

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…]

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BIBLE DRILLERS COMPETE AT STATE LEVEL

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…]

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RISING FROM THE ASHES: ROARING FORK DEDICATES NEW BUILDING

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…]

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CP DEFINES SOUTHERN BAPTISTS: STINNETT

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…]

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BREAKING THE SILENCE

Christians Speak out on Domestic Violence

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — Comments made nearly two decades ago by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson on domestic violence have resurfaced in recent weeks.

At issue is a 2000 audio clip circulating online in which Patterson said the proper response of a wife to domestic abuse “depends on the level of abuse to some degree.” Patterson issued an apology on May 10, clarifying his view on domestic violence and saying that “I utterly reject any form of abuse.”

In the wake of that news, several Southern Baptist Convention entity presidents have voiced strong stances against domestic violence. Additionally, an open letter from Southern Baptist women objecting that Patterson has been “allowed to continue in leadership” despite his statements on sexuality and domestic abuse garnered more than 1,800 signatures in its first 24 hours online. Other Southern Baptist women defended Patterson’s character without affirming all his specific comments. [Read more…]

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TBMB RESPONDS TO DR NEEDS IN HAWAII

Compiled by B&R staff

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has destroyed 36 structures, including 26 houses, since it began releasing lava through vents May 3. Photo from USGS.gov

FRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board has contributed $10,000 to the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention (HPBC) for disaster relief efforts following eruptions on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Since May 3, the Kilauea volcano has been releasing lava through vents in the ground, destroying 36 structures, including 26 homes, the Associated Press reported. Some 60,000 gallons of flammable liquids had to be removed from a geothermal power plant near the vents, according to CBS News.

Congregations on the island have banded together to pray, secure housing for some of the area’s 2,000 evacuees and, beginning the week of May 13, operate a mobile shower unit, according to Chris Martin, executive director of the HPBC.

“The main focus of our people so far,” Martin told Baptist Press, has been ministry “to the needs that are immediate. But our history and our practice has been a long-term presence with those that have been affected by disasters.”

“Stepping in to meet needs,” Martin added, will “open great doors” for gospel witness.

The TBMB wants to be a partner with the Hawaii convention in opening those doors, said Randy C. Davis, executive director-treasurer of the TBMB.

“It is the custom of the TBMB to share the generosity of Tennessee Baptists when disasters happen in places across the U.S. and around the globe from our Disaster Relief general fund,” David said.

He noted there are DR donations made that do not have a specific need attached with them. “After personally speaking with Dr. Chris Martin and watching the growing need in Hawaii, I knew that Tennessean Baptists would want to help,” Davis continued.

“Initially, we are offering a financial gift to be utilized by their convention’s Disaster Relief volunteers,” Davis said. “The dramatic and developing situation in Hawaii calls for our constant monitoring and constant prayers.”

Martin expressed appreciation for the TBMB gift. “We are continuing to respond to the eruptions on the Big Island and flooding on Kauai. This gift will be a true blessing to our DR teams,” he noted.

“We are very thankful for the networking of TBMB and the HPBC churches and entities,” Martin added.

Gifts designated for “Hawaii Volcano Disaster” can be sent to Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, P. O. Box 682789, Franklin, TN 37068 or online at www.tndisasterrelief.org. NOTE: This article contains reporting from Baptist Press and B&R editor Lonnie Wilkey.

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