By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — Every year churches across Tennessee collect an annual offering for the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes.

Other than Bryant Millsaps, president of Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes, probably no one is hoping for a better Mother’s Day Offering than former TBCH president Gerald Stow.

Stow, who served as president of TBCH from 1984-99. has continued to serve with the Tennessee Baptist Convention entity as an “ambassador” for the ministry. [Read more…]

Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — After two months of giving less than $3 million through the Cooperative Program, Tennessee Baptist Convention churches rebounded in April.

TBC churches contributed a total of $3,376,035 through the CP last month.

After six months of the current fiscal year, churches have given $17,225,891. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

FAYETTEVILLE — It’s not likely that pastor Darrell Haney or his family will ever forget the night of April 28.

After being lulled into believing the storms were over, an F-3 tornado struck the Howell Hill community of Lincoln County, leaving behind two deaths and a number of destroyed or severely damaged homes.

A huge oak tree landed on Haney’s home in the room next to the bathroom where he and his family (which included his son and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren) were taking refuge. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

SEYMOUR — Cold weather, including some snow flurries and sleet, failed to chill the atmosphere at Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy on April 15.

Several hundred people braved the weather to attend the dedication of the Polly Enix Tibbetts Building, the first new construction on the HCBA (also known as The King’s Academy) campus since the 1960s.

The debt-free, 18,000-square-foot facility is a multi-purpose building which provides recreational space as well as additional classroom space, said Walter Grubb, president and headmaster. “Adding 18,000 square feet of usable space would bless any school,” Grubb observed. [Read more…]

Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — The Baptist and Reflector is conducting a survey of both readers and non-readers.

“We need your help,” said Lonnie Wilkey, editor of the Baptist and Reflector. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

FAYETTEVILLE – Baptists in Lincoln County are assessing damage from a tornado that hit the area on April 28.

Two people were killed as a result of the storm, according to news reports. One church (Grace Falls Baptist Church, Fayetteville) was reportedly destroyed and the home of Pastor Darrell Haney received major damage. He also lost both of his vehicles. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

CLARKSVILLE — Before the fall semester started at Austin Peay State University here last year, the leadership team of Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) was more concerned about being servants on campus than winning awards.

But when all was said and done, they did both.

The Tennessee Baptist Convention-sponsored Baptist Collegiate Ministries was recently honored on campus as “Student Organization of the Year.” In addition, the BCM received the “Outstanding Community Service” award.

Being tapped as the top organization on campus is no small accomplishment, according to Stacy Murphree, BCM director at Austin Peay. “It typically does not go to a ministry organization,” she said. [Read more…]

Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — In conjunction with the production schedule of the Baptist and Reflector, there will not be an issue next week, following Easter Sunday.

This week’s issue contains Sunday School lessons for April 20 and April 27. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — The state of Tennessee has become a destination for women intent on having an abortion.

According to information provided by “Yes on 1,” Tennessee is the third leading state in the nation in providing abortions to women who live outside the state. In addition, one out of every four abortions in Tennessee are on out-of-state women.

Yes on 1 is a non-profit organization established to educate Tennessee voters about an upcoming amendment on the Tennessee ballot on Nov. 4, said Myra Simons, president of Yes on 1.

The effort is called Yes on 1 because there will be four constitutional amendments on the state ballot in November and the one dealing with abortion is the first one listed. [Read more…]

By Chris Turner
Director of Communications, TBC

CHATTANOOGA — Jimmy Turner practically glides across the large, chunky quarry rock scattered under an overpass to prevent erosion. Navigating the rock isn’t easy, but Turner navigated a lot harder in the Marine Corps. Of course in the Marine Corps Turner never approached an enemy camp with a bag of sausage biscuits in one hand and a jug of orange juice in the other.

Truth is, Turner has crossed these rocks so many times it’s a wonder he hasn’t already worn a path across them. And it isn’t an enemy camp he’s stalking, it’s a homeless camp where a few guys huddle in obscurity with no hope, fight for survival, and remain unknown to most of the world. [Read more…]