Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
August 28, 2024
By Carolyn TomlinB&R contributing writerParochial and public schools have started across the state of Tennessee. From preschools up through college level, students will be finding new challenges and opportunities. A thought that runs through the mind of all parents and families is this: Will my student be in a safe environment? Will the teachers and […]
August 28, 2024
By Vickie AndersonExecutive director-treasurer • Tennessee WMUIn 1902, Mrs. Mildred Golden, Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union corresponding secretary from 1898-1902, cast a vision for Tennessee Baptists to pray for our Tennessee mission field and give to the first state missions offering. A total of $800 was given. For the next 10 years, without the convenience of […]
August 27, 2024
By Randy C. DavisPresident & executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission BoardDale Lusk didn’t like the decisions he had to make when he began ministering at a boys’ juvenile detention facility here in Tennessee. His dilemma? Which boys get Bibles, which get discipleship materials and which don’t get either. Fortunately, the decision became easy. All boys […]
August 27, 2024
By Ray Van NesteDean of theology and missions, vice president for university ministries, Union University When our children were young, it was fairly common for the youngest child to delight in saying the blessing before meals. When our youngest, Timothy, was 4 years old he often eagerly asked to say the blessing. His prayers developed, […]
August 23, 2024
By Adam Dooley Pastor • Englewood Baptist Church • JacksonReturning to school each fall always evokes a bit of murmuring from my children. Sleeping in, trips to the beach, and free time with friends is admittedly more fun than studying algebra and writing book reports. I get it. What most children and teenagers do not […]
August 22, 2024
By Jay HardwickPresident • Tennessee Baptist ConventionI don’t know about you, but every time I open a social media app, scan news headlines, or watch a news channel, I feel an ache in my heart, a pit in my stomach and a burden in my soul. Bad news. Tragic events. Vitriolic debate. Threats and predictions […]
August 16, 2024
By Randy C. Davis President and executive director, TBMB The men’s 100-meter race at the 2024 Paris Olympics generated global interest. It was the fastest field ever assembled with the winner not only winning gold but also claiming the titles as “World’s Fastest Man.” This year’s field was so stacked with speed that for the […]
August 15, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorBaptist churches typically always are eager to welcome any and all people who walk into their church on any given Sunday. Last year, Southern Baptist churches reported increased worship and small group attendance, with in-person worship attendance topping four million people for the first time in three years, according to […]
August 14, 2024
By Sandra PeoplesDisability ministry consultant • Southern Baptists of Texas ConventionWe walked up to the registration area for the children’s classes one Sunday at the church we were visiting in North Carolina while staying with family. The woman we met there asked questions to figure out where the boys should go and typed the answers […]
July 31, 2024
By Adam B. DooleyPastor, Englewood Baptist Church, JacksonDo you have someone you hope to meet again in heaven? Several friends and loved ones come to mind as I think about the place Jesus referred to as Paradise. Great-grandparents, grandparents, church members, and a childhood hero that I admired are just a few of the friendly […]
July 30, 2024
By Larry RobertsonPastor, Hilldale Baptist Church, ClarksvilleWe ask God to bless America. But in all seriousness, why would He? We’ve chosen happiness over holiness, pleasure over purity, politics over prayer, and earth over heaven. Why would God bless America? We’ve forsaken the Golden Rule and replaced it with the rule of gold. We’ve sought power […]
July 29, 2024
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, NashvilleLoneliness and isolation are endemic to the ministry. Ministry isolation and loneliness is partly self-imposed and is partly imposed by the ministry itself. Let’s examine the life of the Prophet Elijah (see I Kings 19:10). In his life and ministry we see the anatomy of loneliness and its […]