Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
Tennessee ranked third among state conventions with the number of messengers (373) attending the 160th annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, held June 13-14 in Phoenix.
By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
Bill Thompson and Sue Simpkins visit with attendees of Bonnaroo. They passed out Frisbees and Bibles to anyone who wanted them.
MANCHESTER — Ignoring the heat and the insects, Bill Thompson maneuvered his way through the tall grass, weaving through the maze of parked cars and pop-up tents that were jammed together in the massive open field at Great Stage Park.
The path wasn’t especially easy to navigate for the 85-year-old Thompson. But he relentlessly pressed on, determined to complete his two-pronged mission: Sharing the Good News of Jesus to the massive collection of attendees at Bonnaroo and honoring the legacy of his late wife, Gerri.
Thanks to a supply of frisbees — yes, frisbees — Thompson was able to accomplish both objectives.
Seeking a simple way to connect with Bonnaroo’s crowd, largely comprised of 20-somethings, Thompson purchased several boxes of frisbees this year and had them custom-made for the occasion. Inscribed on the frisbees was this simple message: God and Gerri love you. [Read more…]
By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
Jesus Tent volunteers provide snacks to people attending the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
MANCHESTER — The line outside the tent is lengthy, but it moves along steadily and orderly. Even at 10:30 in the morning, long before any musical acts have taken the stage, the Jesus Tent is buzzing with activity at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
Bringing to mind the image of the occupants boarding Noah’s Ark, the processional of young adults, often arriving in pairs, gradually makes its way closer and closer to the tent.
Once inside, the group continues to progress, moving up incrementally beside the long and narrow “pick-up” tables, where a variety of free items — from apples to sunscreen to shampoo — are available for the taking. In the meantime, the back of the line gains numerous newcomers, content to patiently wait their turn. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
Jimmy Terry
CLARKSVILLE — Jimmy Terry, founding pastor of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and Tabernacle Christian School in Clarksville, died June 21 after a battle with cancer. He was 79.
Terry was well respected in the Clarksville community and the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
The African-American leader served on the Vision 2021 planning team that was approved by messengers at the 2010 annual meeting. The team’s work led to the eventual adoption of the Five Objectives in 2014, a series of long-range goals for the convention focusing on baptisms and discipleship; church planting; church revitalization; and giving through the Cooperative Program and the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions. In 1998, he became the first black pastor to serve as president of the Tennessee Pastors Conference. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
Betty Clot gets a hug from Kathy Henson, a resident of The Discipleship House in Mount Pleasant.
MOUNT PLEASANT — After serving in the ministry for 35 years, including 26 as a pastor, Walt Clot (pronounced Clo) and his wife Betty moved from Virginia to be near their children who were living in Middle Tennessee.
Instead of having hours upon hours of carefree time the Clots soon embarked in a ministry that would have them working nonstop and provide only three weeks of a vacation longer than five days in a 12-year span. [Read more…]
By Connie Davis Bushey
Baptist and Reflector
Brian McNeal is baptized by a leader of Revolution Church, Crossville, on Sunday, April 23. He was one of about 50 people baptized that day.
CROSSVILLE — Hundreds of people stayed after the third Sunday morning service of Revolution Church here recently. About a hundred more joined them who had attended the Saturday night service or an earlier Sunday service. They also came despite the stormy weather which had washed out some roads.
Everyone enjoyed lunch provided by the church. Then people moved outside the building located in the outlet mall to stand around three animal drinking troughs filled with water.
Lead pastor/church planter Josh Cardwell spoke for just a few moments, inviting folks to become Christians and be baptized right then in the troughs, and people lined up to talk to a pastor or elder of the church. [Read more…]
By Michael Smith
Contributing Writer, B&R
A record number 278 students recently attended All Nations Camp held at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport. The camp attracted participants from 18 ethnic churches across the state.
NEWPORT — God’s favor was evident before and during the annual All Nations Camp at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center on May 29-June 2, and the spiritual impact from the week will be seen for years to come.
The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board sponsored camp, in its 24th year, saw a record turnout of 278 registered students. There were 158 recorded spiritual decisions, with 104 students professing their faith in Christ — the most in the camp’s history.
Students, ages 7 to 17 years old, spent the week enjoying games, nature activities, energetic worship, and insightful group Bible studies. [Read more…]
Baptist Press
PHOENIX — The 160th annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention drew 5,018 registered messengers to Phoenix June 13-14. The unofficial total is 31.6 percent fewer than last year’s 7,321 messengers in St. Louis but 164 more than 2011 when the convention last met in Phoenix.
Including registered guests, exhibitors, and others, the total number of guests at the annual meeting rose to about 8,000 people. [Read more…]
Compiled by B&R Staff
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The North American Mission Board reported 732 new congregations in 2016. In addition, 232 churches began cooperating with the Southern Baptist Convention in 2016, bringing the total number of new congregations to 964.
In the Tennessee Baptist Convention, there were 46 new churches started last year. Twenty established churches affiliated with the convention last year while three formerly inactive churches re-engaged with the convention, totaling 69 new Tennessee congregations last year. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
Steve Gaines, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, gives the president’s address during the first day of the SBC annual meeting June 13 at the Phoenix Convention Center. “The pattern of ministry that spawned missions and evangelism in Acts can yield refreshment and empowerment for believers today,” he said, preaching from Acts 13:1-12. “If you’ll do things God’s way you’ll get God’s power.” Photo by Adam Covington
PHOENIX (BP) — Every Christian is a minister, Steve Gaines, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, said in his message to the SBC annual meeting in Phoenix.
Gaines told messengers at the 160th session of the SBC June 13 that he was not just giving a convention address. “I’m going to preach the Gospel,” said the pastor of the Memphis-area Bellevue Baptist Church.
Taking his message from Acts 13:1-12, Gaines emphasized that “every person in this room that knows the Lord Jesus Christ is a minister — a servant of the Gospel.” [Read more…]
