Editor’s note: The following is a synopsis of the major actions at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Murfreesboro. See more detailed articles on the budget, the Acts 2:17 Initiative, the 150th anniversary celebration, messages and other elements of Summit at the B&R website and in the print edition.
Messengers at this year’s Summit approved the budget, the Acts 2:17 Report and a variety of other items during the business sessions of the event, held Nov. 11-12 in Murfreesboro. — Photo by Samantha Bligh
MURFREESBORO — Tennessee Baptists re-elected Jay Hardwick without opposition for a second term as president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, passed an amended $35 million budget which calls for a new distribution of funds between the TBC and the Southern Baptist Convention, adopted the Acts 2:17 Initiative report as the foundational blueprint for convention ministry for the foreseeable future and celebrated the 150th anniversary of the convention Nov. 10-12 at Embassy Suites and Conference Center in Murfreesboro.
The annual meeting, held as part of The Summit, drew 1,015 registered messengers from 501 churches and 162 guests. Last year’s annual meeting in Chattanooga drew 991 registered messengers from 500 churches and 251 guests.
This year’s annual meeting began on Monday night instead of the traditional Tuesday morning session and ended with the Tuesday night session due to a scheduling conflict with Embassy Inn and Suites and its conference center where Summit was held.
Officers elected
Hardwick was nominated by Cliff Marion, pastor of First Baptist Church, Covington, who described Hardwick as a family man, a faithful preacher and a true friend.
The new officers of the Tennessee Baptist Convention are, from left: Justin Hiens, vice president; Jay Hardwick, president; and Mike Hensley, second vice president..
When he announced that he planned to nominate Hardwick, Marion noted that during his first term Hardwick demonstrated a heart for unity and collaboration. His leadership is characterized by a genuine desire to bring people together, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual support among Tennessee Baptists.
He also noted Hardwick’s first term “has been marked by faithfulness, vision and a deep love for God’s people. His ability to unify and inspire is exactly what our convention needs as we move forward.
Joining him as officers are Justin Hiens, pastor of Second Baptist Church, Union City, vice president, and Mike Hensley, director of missions for East Tennessee Baptist Association, second vice president. Both men were unopposed for office.
Hiens was nominated by Ben Cowell, pastor of Brownsville Baptist Church, Brownsville. He noted that Hiens “understands that disciple-making churches cooperating together is the best way to overcome lostness.”
In nominating Hensley, Dan Spencer, pastor of First Baptist Church, Sevierville, observed that Hensley’s “life and ministry are defined by his unwavering commitment to the work of the Lord.” Due to an action taken by messengers later in the meeting, Hensley will be the last person to serve as second vice president.
Constitution and bylaws amended
Messengers adopted two recommendations from the Constitution and Bylaws Committees on second reading. The first recommendation is that the convention includes three regional vice presidents instead of a second vice president along with the president and vice president.
Pastor Kent Shingleton and his wife, Shawnah, register for Summit with the help of TBMB staff member Carrie Kidd.
Committee chair Chris Garner, pastor of Holly Grove Baptist Church, Bells, noted the idea for three regional vice presidents originally came from some former TBC presidents who thought the change “would widen the leadership pipeline and give Tennessee Baptists an increased access to leaders who live right in their own grand region of the state.”
The second recommendation reflected style and consistency changes in the TBC Constitution.
The recommendations became effective upon adjournment of the 2024 annual meeting.
Partnership in Germany
Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, celebrates the TBC’s partnership with Germany by giving a pair of Tennessee ball caps (among other gifts) to Heinrich Derksen, president of Bonn Bible Seminary, and his wife, Rita.
Tennessee Baptist Convention messengers approved a new international partnership with Bonn Bible Seminary in Germany for four years, beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and continuing through Dec. 31, 2028 with 2025 as a planning year.
Scott Andrews, associate pastor of worship at First Baptist Church, Sevierville, and chair of TBMB’s Missions and Ministries Committee, shared that the seminary was founded in 1993 with a goal “to be a dynamic training center for both volunteers and full-time employees in churches and missions.”
He noted that of the approximately 83 million people who live in Germany, only 1.7 percent are gospel-believing Christians, with 80 percent who believe there is no hell.
Andrews said volunteers will be involved in adopting seminary students, seminary building projects, hosting exchange students and more.
The recommendation passed with no opposition.
Heinrich Derksen, president of Bonn Bible Seminary, greeted TBC messengers and expressed his appreciation for Tennessee Baptists being willing to partner with the seminary. “This partnership marks a new day for Baptists in Germany,” he said.
Cooperative Program and other resolutions
Messengers approved a recommendation from TBMB directors to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program in 2025 by adopting a Centennial Resolution on CP.
The resolution cited the history of CP, including the fact that it was established in in Memphis on May 13-17, 1925. The resolution also noted that during its history, the Tennessee Baptist Convention has contributed almost $1.5 billion through CP.
The resolution also resolved that “the Convention appeals to Tennessee Baptist churches to give to state, national and international missions through the Cooperative Program … and are grateful for the churches that give faithfully and sacrificially through the Cooperative Program ….”
Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, recognizes TBC president Jay Hardwick (who will remain president for a second term) along with James Griffith and Dannie Bell, far right, and their families for the work they performed as TBC officers during the past year.
Messengers also affirmed the traditional “Resolution of Gratitude” and a special resolution of gratitude to Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief and Texans on Mission for their DR response following the devastation in East Tennessee caused by Hurricane Helene.
Fred Shackelford, pastor of Ellendale Baptist Church, Memphis, and chair of TBMB’s Administrative Committee that presented the CP resolution, also shared that TBMB directors approved resolutions on the 50th anniversary of Tennessee Baptist Adult Homes and the retirements of Bill Gruenewald, Tennessee Baptist Foundation, and Lonnie Wilkey, Baptist and Reflector.
Unprecedented tragedy and strategy
Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of TBMB, moderated a discussion with Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for TBMB, David Green, pastor of First Baptist Church, Greeneville, and Steve Freeman, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Springfield, regarding damages caused in northeast Tennessee by Hurricane Helene.
Davis thanked the pastors in that area “who have been ministering in a crisis situation in an unprecedented strategy.”
Green shared how 50 homes were destroyed just in Greene County and as he drove through areas where homes and churches were severely damaged or destroyed, he “wept uncontrollably.”
He noted he heard from many friends and pastors who offered assistance. Among those was Steve Freeman. Freeman and a team from Grace Baptist will go to Greene-ville on Nov. 22 to assist others in helping to get five families back into their homes in five days so they can be there on Thanksgiving Day.
“God has gifted our church with a way to respond,” Freeman said.
Jones shared how more than a thousand volunteers responded following Helene and that teams are continuing to serve.
In addition, the DR exhibit at Summit provided information about Operation Arise and Build and opportunities for churches and individuals to serve and give toward rebuilding efforts. Scan QR code on page 13 for more information.
Other annual meeting business and happenings at Summit included:
• Messengers adopted reports from the Committee on Committees and Committee on Boards with no discussion or amendments.
Chris Kendall, far left, pastor of Oak City Baptist Church, Seymour, serves as moderator for a panel discussion with Greg McCoy, president Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes; Mark Anderson, president of Tennessee Baptist Adult Homes; and Sam Warner, president of Tennessee Baptist Foundation.
• Only one item was introduced during the miscellaneous business time on the opening night. Carter Davis, a messenger from Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, Knoxville, requested that a study be conducted of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board with the purpose of reducing the number of directors to 45 members. The motion was referred to the directors of TBMB.
• Messengers approved recommendations from the Committee on Arrangements. Danny Sinquefield, Harvest Field 1 team leader for TBMB will preach the 2025 convention sermon with Dean Haun, pastor of First Baptist Church, Morristown, as 2025 preacher-elect. Haun will preach the convention sermon in 2026. Messnegers also moved that the 2028 TBC annual meeting be held Nov. 14-15 at Germantown Baptist Church, Germantown.
• Messengers heard reports from the benevolent and educational institutions through two panel discussions facilitated by Chris Kendall, pastor of Oak City Baptist Church, Seymour. Participating were Mark Anderson, TBAH; Greg McCoy, TBCH; Sam Warner. TBF; Charles Fowler, C-N; Dub Oliver, Union; and Jeremy Sandefur, HCBA.
• Retiring associational mission strategists James Parham of Alpha Baptist Association and Jerry Vittatoe of Midland Baptist Association were recognized. A special recognition was made to Peggy Taylor, widow of Phil Taylor, AMS, for CrossNet Baptist Association who died June 23. Taylor also serve as a part-time church revitalization specialist for TBMB.
• The convention also recognized new pastors and church staff who began serving in Tennessee during the past year.
• Two major convention awards were presented during Summit. Don and Ann Davis were presented the Eagle Award posthumously. They 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. Their daughter, Kathy Fields, accepted the award on their behalf.
Pastor Cody Turner of New Hope Baptist Church, Christiana, received the Luke 15 Award, recognizing a church that baptized one person in 2023.
• Special historic segments celebrating the 150th anniversary of the convention were held throughout the sessions. B&R
