Bruce Chesser Archives - Baptist & Reflector

TENNESSEE BAPTISTS HAVE STEPPED IN, STEPPED UP DURING PANDEMIC

March 8, 2021

Davis, Chesser reflect on first-year anniversary of COVID, look to future

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — During a year marked by COVID-19, Tennessee Baptist pastors and churches stepped up and “took lemons and made lemonade,” observed Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

Davis and Tennessee Baptist Convention President Bruce Chesser reflected on the challenges and ministry accomplishments of 2020 during the one-year anniversary of COVID-19.

“It was a year ago this week that we canceled Youth Evangelism Conference 48 hours before it was to take place. It was this week that churches started seeing the need to shut down their worshiping together,” Davis recalled during a video presentation.

“The majority of our churches did that, and we all kind of hoped for the fact that we would be back worshiping again Easter. But then it stretched through Resurrection Sunday and that wonderful season and then it went on through the summer and you know the history of what it’s been like,” he continued. [Read more…]

WITH COVID, A CUP OF SOUP IS A HUGE GIFT

February 4, 2021

By Bruce Chesser
President, Tennessee Baptist Convention
Senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Hendersonville

On Nov. 20, 2020, I was conducting a wedding rehearsal in southern Kentucky. The plans for the wedding had changed significantly. It had gone from a large celebration of several hundred family and friends to a very small gathering of just family.

We wanted to be as responsible as possible and follow all of the proper protocols. But we still needed to rehearse what would happen the next day during the ceremony.

After the rehearsal had concluded I began to feel a little strange. On the drive home my wife mentioned that the skunk odor that had just invaded our truck was a very putrid smell. I said, “you smell a skunk right now?” She looked at me kind of sideways and said, “yes, it’s awful. Can’t you smell it?” My honest answer to the question was, “uh-oh. No, I cannot.”

That began our journey into the world of COVID-19 which would last 24 days. By the next morning I was running a fever of about 101 which would last for the next 12 days. Taste and smell were gone. I felt like I had the flu. [Read more…]

FBC, HENDERSONVILLE, BAPTIZES 51 IN OUTDOOR SERVICE

September 7, 2020

Baptist and Reflector

HENDERSONVILLE — Since COVID-19 became a worldwide pandemic in March, many churches have had to either forgo baptisms or “step outside the box” to get them done.

Such was the case at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville. “Like many, we have grown weary of all of the cancelations and postponements,” said senior pastor Bruce Chesser. “So, we have told our ministry team, ‘Stop focusing on what we cannot do and let’s figure out what we can do.’

“We have told them to think outside the box” he added. As a result, several ministry opportunities have resulted from this way of thinking, said Chesser, who also is serving as president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. [Read more…]

TBMB DIRECTORS HOLD FIRST VIRTUAL MEETING

April 22, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — The board of directors of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board made history April 21 — and they didn’t even have to leave home.

Thanks to technology, COVID-19 did not wipe out the scheduled April meeting of the TBMB as an overwhelming majority of the board member joined a Zoom broadcast.

“This is a historical moment,” acknowledged Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB.

Davis informed the board members that the meeting was primarily an informational meeting and that no action would be taken at this time. “We didn’t want to bring anything to the board to vote on at this time simply because we want to make sure that we have the capability electronically to do it in a manner that is in order.” [Read more…]

DISCIPLESHIP AND FELLOWSHIP GO HAND IN HAND

March 12, 2020

By Bruce Chesser
President, Tennessee Baptist Convention

I have been talking to you for several months about the importance of Sunday School and the difference that it can make in your church. It is vital.

Think about it. Sunday School is the only ministry of most of our churches that is for everyone of all ages. We offer it in prime time. And it is connected to the most important event of the week in the life of the church, the worship time.

Sunday School has historically been central in seeing our churches reach people for Christ for several reasons. One reason is because it is lay led (rather than led by the pastor or other ministers). [Read more…]

NEW PRESIDENT’S MOTTO: ‘DON’T MESS IT UP’

December 17, 2019

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Pastor Bruce Chesser was elected president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in November. He and his wife, Joy, have served at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, for the past 10 years. — Photo by James Wilson

HENDERSONVILLE — Bruce Chesser, who was elected as the new president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in November, is excited over the convention’s current direction.

His motto for the upcoming year? “Don’t mess it up,” Chesser said with a smile.

“Our state convention is in great shape under the leadership of Randy C. Davis,” observed Chesser, pastor of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, for the past 10 years. In addition, Chesser continued, the past presidents of the convention have done “a great job” in focusing attention on the need for evangelism and discipleship.

“Basically, I want to maintain a spirit of brotherhood in the convention that has gone on for a long time,” he said. “The convention is not broken. It is in good shape.” [Read more…]

TENNESSEE BAPTISTS ELECT BRUCE CHESSER AS PRESIDENT

November 19, 2019

Baptist and Reflector

Bruce Chesser

KNOXVILLE — Hendersonville pastor Bruce Chesser has been elected president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

Chesser was elected without opposition Nov. 19 during the afternoon session of the 145th annual meeting of the TBC.

He was nominated by Bruce Raley, executive pastor of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville. A former pastor in Arkansas, Alabama and Texas, Chesser has served as pastor of First Baptist, Hendersonville for the past 10 years.

Raley described Chesser as a pastor/shepherd and an “anointed preacher and teacher of the gospel. He has a passion to see people come to Jesus and to grow in Christ.” [Read more…]

Davis, Chesser reflect on first-year anniversary of COVID, look to future

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