Kathy Fields, center, with her husband Brad Fields, holds the Eagle Award that was presented posthumously to her parents, Don and Ann Davis. Standing with her are: Dillion Taylor, Kate Fields, Lucile Conley, Fannie Golden (Ann’s sister) and Don Golden.
MURFREESBORO — Summit 2024 opened with celebration, ceremony and send-offs.
Gathering at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro for a time of worship and praise on Sunday night, an overflow crowd cheered for, and prayed over, a group of roughly 50 missionaries who were commissioned by the International Mission Board.
The Sunday night service marked the kick-off of this year’s Summit — the annual gathering of Tennessee Baptists — and served as the opening bell for the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s 150th anniversary celebration.
The service, which included a message from IMB president and Tennessee native Paul Chitwood , concluded with recognition of Don and Ann Davis, who were honored posthumously with this year’s Eagle Award.
Don and Ann Davis were dedicated to sharing the gospel across the globe, having served on more than 90 mission trips, while also working with Disaster Relief teams and the Rescue Mission during their years of ministry. They also donated property to the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board that is now home to the Missions Mobilization Center.
Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, presents Kathy Fields with this year’s Eagle Award in honor of her parents, Don and Ann Davis.
Don and Ann’s daughter, Kathy Fields, accepted the award — presented to her by TBMB president and executive director Randy C. Davis — on their behalf. Davis praised the couple’s remarkable devotion to the Great Commission, saying they were both shining examples of life-long evangelistic dedication.
The Eagle Award has been given annually to an outstanding Baptist layman in Tennessee since 2016. Retired Carson-Newman University football coach Ken Sparks (now deceased) was the first recipient.
Summit 2024, which continues on Monday with the pastors’ conference, runs through Tuesday night at the Embassy Suites Conference Center. B&R — NOTE: More coverage of Sunday’s service can be found later this week at baptistandreflector.org.
