The following is a letter from Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. This letter was published in the June 13 print edition of the Baptist and Reflector:
It is my joy and honor to welcome you, SBC messengers and guests, to the Volunteer State.
Tennessee is home to Little Debbie, Dolly Parton, the Grand Ole Opry, Rock City (you’ve got to see it), Graceland, rich delta farmland and the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
Tennessee is also one of the fastest growing homes to internationals in North America. As a matter of fact, one national publication titled Nashville “Little Kurdistan” because of the high number of Kurds who now call Tennessee home. More than 145 global people groups are represented in our state’s population, many from among the world’s most unreached with the gospel.
We do not view our state as the “buckle of the Bible Belt.” Rather, anyway you slice it, we see our great state as a mission field. We believe if we win our friends and neighbors to faith in Jesus Christ, we also win the nations. Like we say: Reach Tennessee, reach the nations, change the world.
And we believe your witness for Christ in action and attitude while here for this annual gathering of our Baptist family will help us plant gospel seeds that will produce “fruit that remains.”
Thank you so much for coming to the vibrant city of Nashville and the wonderful state of Tennessee. We hope you have a memorable time as we all have the joy of once again coming together!
It is a joy to be with you on this journey.
Randy C. Davis
Tennessee Baptist Mission Board president and executive director
