Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
December 1, 2025
By Diana ChandlerBaptist PressNASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptist entities and ministries offer numerous philanthropic opportunities this Giving Tuesday, from goats to helping Send Relief strengthen drought-impaired communities, to funds to archive Southern Baptist history. Send Relief tells of its sustaining work in Kenya, where the ministry donated three goats each – including one male and […]
December 1, 2025
By Scott BarkleyBaptist PressMARTIN, Tenn. (BP) – Jason Simpson remembers the “aha” moment for his son, Ty. It was three springs ago, in ’23. Jason had driven down from Martin, Tenn., where he is in his 20th season coaching UT Martin, to Tuscaloosa, Ala. Ty had signed to play for Alabama after a 5-Star high school […]
November 20, 2025
By Scott BarkleyBaptist PressNASHVILLE (BP) – Benevolence ministry never slows down, but it picks up during the holidays. For it to truly be successful, benevolence must also be ongoing. It may begin with a phone call, but it doesn’t stop there. “’Tell me more,’” said Taylor Field, a Send Relief consultant who ministered in New […]
November 19, 2025
By Kie BowmanSBC National Director of PrayerNote: The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board works to equip leaders, cultivate prayer warriors of all ages, and provide training, workshops, and retreats, with the goal to foster a statewide culture of prayer that fuels disciple-making and advances God’s Kingdom across Tennessee. Sign up to become an intercessor, or to […]
November 17, 2025
By Carol PipesLifeway Christian ResourcesBRENTWOOD — Lifeway Christian Resources announced this week that Kirk Kirkland will step into the role of director of Lifeway Worship on Dec. 1. “We are overjoyed to welcome Kirk to the team at Lifeway,” said Joe Walker, interim Lifeway president. “Kirk’s experience in music ministry, his understanding of Lifeway’s culture […]
November 11, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistJACKSON — Jeff Iorg delivered a challenge during Monday night’s session at the 2025 Tennessee Baptist Convention Summit about who Southern Baptists welcome into the fold. “One of the things that discourages me about some Southern Baptists and some Christians today is we are pre-qualifying who can come to Jesus and be […]
November 10, 2025
By Scott BarkleyBaptist PressLENOIR CITY (BP) – The idea came up during a men’s Bible study on Oct. 29 at First Baptist Church. The government was shut down. The news said that, come Saturday, a lot of people were going to lose SNAP benefits that put food on the table. Something needed to be done. […]
November 7, 2025
By Scott BarkleyBaptist PressWASHINGTON (BP) – Faith leaders, including those from the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, are urging the confirmation of Congressman Mark Walker as International Religious Freedom (IRF) ambassador-at-large. A letter to President Trump signed and delivered last week, commends his “steadfast commitment to religious liberty” and his nomination of Walker, a former Southern […]
November 4, 2025
By Diana ChandlerBaptist PressWASHINGTON (BP) — U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) Oct. 31 for tolerating religious freedom violations especially against Christians, and threatened sanctions and military force to discourage such persecution. Trump’s Oct. 31 Truth Social announcement naming Nigeria a CPC and his Nov. 1 announcement threatening military […]
October 31, 2025
By Aaron EarlsLifeway Christian ResourcesBRENTWOOD – The average Southern Baptist church is likely an older, small Southern church. If you want to find a growing congregation, however, you might need to look for a new, larger church – or even one in the Northeast. Recent Lifeway Research analysis of the 2024 Annual Church Profile reveals a […]
October 29, 2025
By Brandon ElrodNorth American Mission BoardATLANTA – Southern Baptists recognized Student Baptism Sunday Oct. 26 during a season in American religious life when church attendance among young people has been on the rise. “For a few years, I personally witnessed more and more young people coming to faith in Christ when I would preach around […]
October 27, 2025
By Aaron EarlsLifeway Christian ResourcesBRENTWOOD — Life in rural America has its charms and challenges. Those who pastor in small towns across the United States recognize the trials inherent to those areas but believe God is working in their congregations and communities. A Lifeway Research study of pastors in small towns and rural areas identified […]