Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
July 7, 2022
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org When the Supreme Court passed its landmark decision in 1973 legalizing abortion nationwide, it was just a blip on my radar. After all, I was 15 years old and was more concerned about sports, getting my driver’s license and then a job to buy my first car. […]
July 1, 2022
By Todd E. Brady Vice president For university ministries, Union University, Jackson If M.E. Dodd were living and were to come to the Southern Baptist Convention in Anaheim, I think Willie McLaurin would hug Dodd’s neck and take him to a long, long lunch so he could pick his brain. As the oldest institution […]
June 29, 2022
By Clay Hallmark President, Tennessee Baptist Convention The WMU decided to go out to the nursing home and visit some of their former WMU members. One particular lady was 95 years old. When one of the WMU ladies entered her room, she inquired as to how she was doing. “Oh,” said the lady, “I am […]
June 23, 2022
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org “Jesus: The Center of It All” served as the theme of the 2022 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. It was and continues to be a great theme. After all, if Jesus is not the center of it all, then why do we do what we […]
June 23, 2022
By Randy C. Davis President and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board I crossed an item off my bucket list. I’ve always heard about the General Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park, and last week I laid eyes on it. It is spectacular; way more spectacular in person than in any picture I’ve ever seen. […]
June 19, 2022
By Ray Van Neste Dean and professor of Biblical studies, Union University, Jackson This spring my pastoral ministry class at Union University was (as always) a joy to teach because of my students, diligent young men who sense God’s call to ministry. Following the syllabus, they read several books from previous eras. These older books […]
June 17, 2022
By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing Writer, B&R As a child, I observed my father returning home each afternoon from a day of hard physical labor. Regardless of how tired he was, he never complained. That’s because he loved his family and for him, work had value. Today, we call this a strong “work ethic.” Thinking back […]
June 10, 2022
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org Southern Baptists have had nearly two weeks to read and digest the report of the Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) that was authorized by messengers to the 2021 annual meeting in Nashville. My reactions were heartbreak, appall, grief and sadness at what has happened over the past […]
June 10, 2022
Editor’s note: Due to the sensitive information shared in this column, the name of the writer is being withheld at the discretion of the editor. The Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) report was released two weeks ago. There’s been a lot of reaction to its findings and opinions are widely varied. To some […]
June 9, 2022
By Randy C. Davis President and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board A pastor recently asked me to give him one reason why he should stay connected to the Southern Baptist Convention. Without hesitation, I told him there are 3,600 reasons found in each one of our International Mission Board missionaries serving globally. Add to their […]
June 7, 2022
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org The nations have come to English Mountain in Newport. More than 300 children, teenagers and adults are at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center for the All Nations Camp, sponsored by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. It is the largest attended camp since 2019, said William Burton, new […]
June 6, 2022
By Paul Chitwood President, International Mission Board Jesus prioritizes children and their care. We see this in verses like Matthew 19:14, where Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven,” and Matthew 18:6, where Jesus says, “Whoever causes one of these […]