Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
By Debbie Richard
I would like to tell you a story about an 8-year-old girl.
Her parents did not go to church. The family loved the outdoors, so most weekends were spent camping.
Since both parents worked, the girl and her younger brother had to have a sitter. It so happened their sitter was the wife of a Baptist preacher. Every afternoon when their father picked them up, the preacher would meet him at the door and invite the family to church. [Read more…]
By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org
LAWRENCEBURG — While serving as director of the “IAM4Kids” mentoring program, Steve Seaton is continuously seeing life-changing transformations take place through the faith-based ministry.
But on an even deeper level, Seaton’s appreciation for mentoring developed long before he joined the “IAM4Kids” staff. It actually happened when he was on the other side of the table. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Eric Nichols, pastor of the Thompson Station Church, Columbia Campus, welcomes directors of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board to Thompson Station Church in Thompson’s Station. Looking on are Randy C. Davis, left, president and executive director of the TBMB, and Mike Kemper, right, board chair and interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Dyer.
Updated May 3, 2019
THOMPSON’S STATION — Directors of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board approved four recommendations and heard plans for a Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Task Force during their meeting April 30 at Thompson Station Church in Thompson’s Station.
Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB, announced plans for the task force during his report to the board of directors.
Though the issue of sexual abuse of children in Southern Baptist churches became widely known after articles were released by The Houston Chronicle in February, Davis said the TBMB has been assisting churches in taking steps to prevent sexual abuse for 20 years and will continue to do so. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Calvary Baptist Church pastor Grant Gaines, seen here speaking at Union University, says Easter is a great time to invite friends and neighbors to church. — Photo by Anne Richoux, Union University
JACKSON — Easter is the perfect time to invite people to church to hear about Jesus and the resurrection story, said Grant Gaines, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Jackson.
Gaines, who led a breakout session during a recent evangelism conference at Union University, was featured recently on a Radio B&R podcast (Listen to episode 26 here).
“Easter is a natural time to focus on inviting people to church,” Gaines said. The concept fits hand in glove with the church’s evangelistic strategy. “We believe that inviting people to come to church is still a great way to do evangelism,” Gaines noted.
He explained that “a church invite” is not necessarily direct personal evangelism “because you’re not necessarily explaining the gospel to your neighbor, or coworker or your family member that you’re inviting. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — Ten years ago Ashley Virto was a Catholic teenager in Ripley, Miss., who knew about Jesus Christ, but didn’t know Jesus Christ.
Thanks to a bus ministry and a Vacation Bible School, Ashley Virto (now 24) is a Christian serving Jesus Christ in her local church (Judson Baptist in Nashville) and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and is now helping to train Spanish VBS leaders.
For the past three years Virto has taught various aspects of VBS, from recreation to arts and crafts, during training for VBS leaders who speak Spanish. [Read more…]
By Vicki Hulsey
Childhood Ministry Specialist, TBMB
A VBS “snapshot” of Hillview Baptist Church attendees of Vacation Bible School.
I recently heard Landry Holmes, author of It’s Worth It, talk about the “snapshots” he has in his mind regarding Vacation Bible School.
I began to think about the pictures people have in their minds of their childhood and VBS memories. As I talk with ministry leaders across Tennessee, I often hear the stories of faith that originated in Vacation Bible School. And, many times those experiences included going to VBS and then returning home to unchurched parents.
While listening to Landry Holmes, snapshots immediately came to my mind of memories of my VBS experiences that will always be a part of my heritage that still impact my life as a leader. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — Ever since the first Vacation Bible School was held in New York City in 1898, the program has reached thousands upon thousands of children with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Despite its record of success, some churches view VBS as an outdated tool of evangelism and are “abandoning one of the best conduits for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with future generations,” observed Vicki Hulsey, childhood specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. [Read more…]
Institute the Two-Adult Rule: There must always be at least two adults in the room, in the car, in the van, or anywhere that minors are gathered. These two can NOT be husband and wife.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In the latest Radio B&R podcast, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board administrative director William Maxwell and childhood ministry specialist Vicki Hulsey addressed the crucial steps that churches need to take in order to ensure the safety and protection of children. The podcast can be found here.
Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — Churches must do all they can to protect minors and others from sexual abuse, said two experts from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, who noted some practical steps churches can take immediately that will deter prospective predators.
The comments were made during a recent Radio B&R podcast titled, “Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse” (available here). During the podcast, TBMB administrative director William Maxwell and childhood ministry specialist Vicki Hulsey, discuss a TBMB document titled, “12 Things Churches Can Do to Protect Children.” [Read more…]
By Randy C. Davis
TBMB President & Executive Director
It is a heavy blow when God determines to bring to light that which is hidden in the shadows. Sometimes the Body of Christ must bear the weight of His judgment when He does.
Such a blow was delivered yesterday morning in an article that appeared in the Houston Chronicle. The headline was, “Abuse of Faith.” The extremely thorough story reported 20 years of sexual abuse in Southern Baptist churches that affected at least 700 victims. Far and away the majority of the victims were children or youth; and far and away the perpetrators were ministers. Just in the past decade, at least 250 people who worked for or volunteered in a Southern Baptist church have been charged with sex crimes. [Read more…]
