Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
September 18, 2024
By Jay Hardwick President • Tennessee Baptist ConventionWhile recording a podcast interview a couple of weeks ago, the host asked me, “When did this become personal for you? When did you know, ‘We have to do something about this need now?’ ” The question gripped my heart. The focus of the interview was on the […]
September 11, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorNearly every generation has at least one event that occurs that those who live through it will never forget. In my case, I actually have lived through several of those events, with the most recent, of course, being the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. But if I can just pick one […]
September 11, 2024
By Randy C. DavisPresident and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission BoardGeorge Peppard’s character Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith on the television show, The A-Team, exclaimed after each miraculous mission success: “I love it when a plan comes together.” His sentiment encapsulates the story of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program and what lies ahead for us […]
September 5, 2024
By Rodney NorvellCollegiate Ministry Specialist • University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleBaptist college and university work has been a mission of Southern Baptists for over 100 years. Whether you know it as the Baptist Young People’s Union, Baptist Student Union (BSU) or Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) the mission is still important and critical to the future of […]
August 30, 2024
Many Americans will enjoy an extra day off next week on Sept. 2. Even before Labor Day became a federal holiday, approximately 27 states passed legislation recognizing it as a holiday. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on Feb. […]
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 […]