Conference Centers Archives - Baptist & Reflector

CAMP CARSON (CARSON SPRINGS) IS A BETHEL

March 2, 2021

By Todd Brady
Vice President for University Ministries, Union University

Back in the day, each summer I went to Camp Carson Youth Music Week. I’ve never been a musician, and I’ve attended other camps which had more of the coolness factor than Youth Music Week. But for my youth group and for friends in other churches, it was the highlight of the summer for us. We wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

For us, it was simply the best week of the year. God did a great work in my life up there on that mountain.

It was there that I met people like Paul Clark and his brother, Ricky who at that time were pouring their lives into young people. As a teenager, I learned from Paul and Ricky that it’s not primarily about how I sing, but who I sing to. All year long, my friends and I looked forward to Bob Brian taking us to Camp Carson. On the way home, we started counting down the days until we’d go back up the mountain again next year. I didn’t know what he was doing at the time, but I’m now thankful for Julian Suggs’s work and heart to lead “One generation (to) commend (God’s) works to another, and (to) declare (God’s) mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4 [Read more…]

CONFERENCE CENTERS ASSIST CHURCHES DURING PANDEMIC

January 6, 2021

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Mike Testa, right, a leadership consultant from Ohio, recently led a “Staff Recharge Weekend” for Shiloh Baptist Church in Mount Juliet, at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden. Shiloh participants included, from left, Alex Darnall and Chuck and Tara Workman.

LINDEN — Even during a worldwide pandemic, the two conference centers owned and operated by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board are open and meeting the needs of churches during the fall and winter months.

“Even though COVID-19 is still among us, we’re still open and serving our guests,” said Mark Proctor, associate administrator of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden and Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport “are sacred places owned by Tennessee Baptists as places of rejuvenation, restoration and refuge,” Proctor said. [Read more…]

MOUNTAINS & MAJESTY

September 22, 2020

Worship and friendship are the bedrock of pastors’ hiking trip on Appalachian Trail

Adam Cutshaw, pastor of Encounter Life Church, Manchester, looks out over the mountains during a recent hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail. Cutshaw was one of 11 pastors who journeyed together on a three-day trip, which represented the first in a series of outdoor adventures organized as part of a new ministry hosted by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board conference centers. Kevin Perrigan, camp manager at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center and an avid hiker, served as the leader for the recent trip. He said there are plans for four “outings” each year. Those interested in attending any of the upcoming trips can contact Perrigan at kperrigan@tnbaptist.org.

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — With the overwhelming stress of the past few months beginning to take a toll, pastor David Simmerman decided he would heed the advice of a friend. [Read more…]

WELCOME CENTER DEDICATED AT LINDEN VALLEY

August 4, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

William Maxwell, left, and Tim Bearden cut the ribbon officially dedicating the Janet Bearden Welcome Center at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center. Looking on is Cole Campbell, far right, current conference center manager at Linden Valley and grandchildren of the Beardens.

LINDEN — Tennessee Baptists from across the state braved the heat and humidity on Saturday, July 25, to help dedicate the Janet Bearden Welcome Center at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center.

The welcome center will house the conference center offices and serve as the focal point as people drive onto the property. “It will be the crown jewel of Linden Valley,” observed Mark Proctor, associate administrator and supervisor of the conference centers.

Current conference center manager Cole Campbell said the welcome center “has been a long needed addition to Linden Valley. We are thankful that the hard work and dedication of loyal Tennessee Baptist volunteers has produced a facility that is poised to welcome guests as they enter camp. [Read more…]

PASTORS DEALING WITH FATIGUE, STRESS

June 29, 2020

Tennessee Baptist Conference Centers offer outlet for renewal

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — Since COVID-19 struck in March, most Baptist pastors have had nothing to do since they haven’t been able to preach in person or make hospital visits, right? Wrong!

Instead, the last three to four months have created more work and stress than before, say Tennessee Baptist leaders across the state.

“Everything a pastor does has been turned upside down the last few months,” observed Russ Wilkins, director of missions for Shiloh Baptist Association, based in Adamsville. [Read more…]

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

May 15, 2020

By Mark Proctor
Associate administrator, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

God sings, says the Hebrew prophet Zephaniah, when His children come home. Your Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Conference Center staffs at Carson Springs and Linden Valley have heard those joyful songs thousands of times. But this year those songs will go largely unheard on the English Mountain and the Buffalo River. As a result of the pandemic, most summer events have been cancelled and the silence is deafening. Will you pray with us that the music of restoration and salvation would once again visit us?

The third Sunday of May each year, this year May 17, is set aside for a Day of Prayer for Tennessee Baptist Conference Centers. This year we need those prayers more than ever before. Like our churches, the pandemic has brought unprecedented times to our doorstep at the Conference Centers. A moment of personal prayer, a designated time in Sunday school, and an intentional segment in Sunday’s worship would gather us together at the throne for this tremendous need. Would you join us? We are encouraging three specific points of prayer. [Read more…]

STORIES THAT SHAPED 2019

January 7, 2020

Baptists experience monumental year: I Stand for Life initiative, record GOTM gifts among top news stories

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — Top news stories in the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 2019 included the “I Stand for Life” initiative in support of SB (Senate Bill) 1236, the election of Charles Fowler as president of Carson-Newman University and record giving for the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions.

The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board initiated the I Stand for Life initiative on July 23 to garner thousands of signatures from Tennessee Baptists in an effort to let Tennessee lawmakers know that Tennessee Baptists would like to see legislation passed that protects the lives of unborn children.

The petition campaign was initiated by Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB who had a desire to make sure Tennessee Baptists were informed about the issue and that their voices were heard. [Read more…]

A LOVE FOR CAMPING MINISTRY

December 28, 2018

TBMB retiree Tim Bearden excitedly prepares for the ‘next chapter’ of his life

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Tim and Carol Bearden stand outside the new worship center at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden. Bearden is retiring Dec. 31 after 14 years as senior manager of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s two conference centers and 23 years on the TBMB staff.
— Photo by Kazeray Campbell

LINDEN — Longtime Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff member Tim Bearden has had a love for Christian camps since his early childhood in Georgia, growing up in a preacher’s home.

“There never was a time in my life that I did not know the love of God because of loving parents,” recalled Bearden, who is retiring Dec. 31 after nearly 40 years in denominational ministry.

Bearden has held several roles since joining the TBMB staff in 1995. Most recently he has served as senior manager of the two Tennessee Baptist Conference Centers — Linden Valley in Linden and Carson Springs in Newport. [Read more…]

CARSON SPRINGS EVENT SETS TONE FOR CHRISTMAS SEASON

December 5, 2018

By Carla Harper
Contributing Writer, B&R

Emily Terrell of First Baptist Church, Dandridge, recently encouraged participants at the annual Christmas in November Women’s Luncheon, sponsored by Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport.

NEWPORT — “All is Calm. All is Bright” was the theme for the annual Christmas in November Women’s Luncheon held Nov. 10 at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport.

Kevin Perrigan, manager of Carson Springs, and his wife, Debra, have sponsored the event since they first came to Carson Springs 11 years ago.

“We continue this tradition each year because it continues to have an impact. We continue to see results. Women come back and bring friends with them each year. Women tell us they have a good time; and more importantly, they have told us that it helps them get their mind set on Christ before the holidays get them too busy to get distracted from what Christmas is really about,” Perrigan said. [Read more…]

RELAX, REFOCUS & REFRESH

October 23, 2018

Sabbaticals can help combat burnout, depression for pastors, ministry workers

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

The conference center at Linden Valley provides a great place for pastors and staff members to break away from the noise and spend time with the Lord.
— Photo by Kazeray Campbell.

FRANKLIN — For Pete Tackett, the importance of taking a day off is as clear as the stubble on his face.

Tackett, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Johnson City, admits that he often finds himself caught up in the treadmill-style work patterns that so many pastors and staff members encounter. But he said one of the keys to escaping the cycle is to set boundaries — and stick to them.

“My definition of a true Sabbath is a day when I get to decide whether I have to shave or not,” said Tackett. “That might seem like a funny thing to say, but in the church world, when you are always on the clock, it’s necessary to have a day where you say, ‘I’m going to be free to decide what I want to do.’ ” [Read more…]

Worship and friendship are the bedrock of pastors’ hiking trip on Appalachian Trail

Tennessee Baptist Conference Centers offer outlet for renewal

Baptists experience monumental year: I Stand for Life initiative, record GOTM gifts among top news stories

TBMB retiree Tim Bearden excitedly prepares for the ‘next chapter’ of his life

Sabbaticals can help combat burnout, depression for pastors, ministry workers

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