evangelism Archives - Page 3 of 23

THE ABCs OF GEN Z

October 10, 2019

TBMB leads seminars on how to reach this easily-distracted demographic

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

SHELBYVILLE — “Does anyone know what a slo-fie is?” asked Donna Blaydes as she glanced around the classroom filled with adults.

After a few moments of mostly blank stares and silence, Blaydes explained that the term, which is only about three weeks old, refers to slow-motion “selfies” that can be recorded with the latest version of iPhones.

The response to Blaydes’ question perfectly illustrated the point that she was making: Technology is moving so rapidly that it can be challenging for parents and grandparents to keep up. [Read more…]

EVANGELISTIC ENERGY

October 9, 2019

Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis and immediate past president of the SBC, concluded the Sept. 30 training time during the Who’s Your One Tour? stop at Christ Place Church in Flowery Branch, Ga. Gaines shared a message about how Bellevue has used a multi-faceted approach to share the gospel in their community.
— NAMB photo

NAMB tour helps believers learn to share gospel

By Brandon Elrod
Baptist Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Mark Hoover, pastor of First Baptist Church in Hayti, Mo., is looking for a new “one.”

After witnessing long distance to his brother, Dusty, who lives in their home state of Mississippi, Hoover saw him come to Christ. Inspired by what God had done in his life, Dusty drove several hours to Hayti where Hoover baptized him on Baptism Sunday (Sept. 8).

All across the United States, the evangelism team at the North American Mission Board (NAMB) has heard similar stories during the Who’s Your One? tour of how the movement has led to life change.

Those stories can serve as a hopeful sign for Southern Baptist churches that are working to reverse a decades-long decline. [Read more…]

VICTORY FORMATION

September 25, 2019

C-N football program sees 10 players make professions

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Carson-Newman volunteer kickers and punters coach Alan Duncan and team chaplain Marty Blakely baptized 10 players from the Carson-Newman football team in Mossy Creek following football camp.

JEFFERSON CITY — Big decisions are often made at football camp. Who is going to be the starting tailback? What scheme is the new defensive coordinator going to install? Is the kick returner going to be used at wide receiver?

Important choices, for sure. Choices that can ultimately determine a team’s success.

And yet, those types of decisions aren’t nearly as significant as the decisions that were made at Carson-Newman’s football camp this summer. These were life-changing — and eternity-altering — decisions. [Read more…]

SPORTS OFFER OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE GOSPEL WITH KIDS

August 27, 2019

By Ashley Perham
Baptist & Reflector intern

Jon Visser provides instruction to children attending a sports camp hosted earlier this summer by Shiloh Baptist Church, Nashville, at Donelson Christian Academy. — Photo by Tara Workman

NASHVILLE — As a boy, Jon Visser had dreamed of playing professional baseball.

He got his opportunity in the early 2000s in the Texas-Louisiana League, now called the Central League. But while he was traveling through Texas, God gave him a different dream.

“While I was traveling around on the busses, I was thinking, ‘How can I serve God with my talents and how can I best do it?’ and that’s where Elevation Sports kind of (started),” said Visser, a member of First Baptist Church, Fairview. [Read more…]

UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO COOPERATIVE PROGRAM ENABLES TENNESSEE BAPTISTS TO REACH MONUMENTAL PLATEAU

August 26, 2019

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Celebrating a milestone moment
Tennessee Baptists recently reached a major plateau, surpassing the $500-million mark in all-time giving to the SBC for Cooperative Program allocated useage. In the photo to the right, Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, presents a check to Augie Boto of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
– Photo by Royce DeGrie

FRANKLIN — The oversized check was just a prop. The significance of the moment, however, was very real.

During a recent ceremony at the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Church Support Center in Franklin, TBMB president and executive director Randy C. Davis presented a Goliath-sized check to Augie Boto of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

The amount was for $500,000,000, which represents the recent plateau that was reached by Tennessee Baptists in the category of Cooperative Program Allocation gifts to the SBC. Davis said the milestone speaks volumes about Tennessee Baptists’ commitment to sharing the gospel. [Read more…]

BOWDEN TALKS FAITH, FOOTBALL AT STUDENT EVENT

August 22, 2019

By Timothy Cockes
Baptist Press intern

Former college football coach Tommy Bowden, center, stands with Clay Hallmark, left, pastor of First Baptist Church, and Bryant Hollingsworth, head football coach at Lexington High School.

LEXINGTON — Tommy Bowden, former college football coach at Clemson University, recently spoke to hundreds of Tennessee high school football students about the importance of making good decisions in life.

Bowden said he wanted to emphasize for the more than 700 players, representing more than five counties and 12 schools, the importance of having the right priorities in life by putting God first. The event was held at First Baptist Church, Lexington, on July 18. [Read more…]

FROM CROSSFIRE TO THE CROSS: REDEMPTION IN MEMPHIS

August 6, 2019

By Ashley Perham
Baptist & Reflector intern

Ronnie Johnson, pastor of Miracle of Redemption Church, Memphis, shares his story during a recent interview with the Baptist and Reflector.

MEMPHIS — Ronnie Johnson, pastor of Miracle of Redemption Church, Memphis, has been shot four times and stabbed seven times. In his leg, he carries the scars of a 12-gauge shotgun wound the size of a softball.

“Of course I shot other folks too,” said Johnson.

Johnson was part of the gang Gangster Disciples until June 1, 1995, when he got “sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

During his time in the gang, Johnson saw two friends die in his arms. In and out of prison, he eventually started selling drugs and became his own best customer. He was addicted to heroin, cocaine and alcohol. [Read more…]

RICH, YET POOR

July 12, 2019

By Jerry Drace
Evangelist and senior pastor, Friendship Baptist Church, Friendship

This article is written from two perspectives: one from the experience of having been a vocational evangelist for 38 years and the other from the experience of currently serving as a pastor for the past eight years.

The latest statistics from the Annual Church Profile (ACP) of the Southern Baptist Convention have just been released and were published in the June 12 issue of the B&R. Guess what? The time for rhetoric is over. We have had enough motivational sermons, church growth conferences and restructuring. [Read more…]

NOT ALL STORIES HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS, BUT GOSPEL PREVAILS

July 1, 2019

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Participating in a recent Backyard Kids Club, sponsored by Hermitage Hills Baptist Church, Hermitage, were, from left, pastor Poly Rouse, Vicki Hulsey and Rick Short.

HERMITAGE — In the perfect world, every story has a happy ending.

Unfortunately, due to sin introduced in the Garden of Eden, there is no such thing as a perfect world. As a result, some stories end tragically.

A case in point is the story of Clayton Gangji. Clayton would have been 16 years old on June 6. Yet, two years ago, Clayton was killed by gunfire at the age of 14 after being involved in a robbery involving stolen cars.

But as always, God can use evil for His good. [Read more…]

JESUS TENT: HOW IT STARTED

June 26, 2019

Baptist and Reflector

Bonnaroo concert-goers line up outside Jesus Tent.
-Photo by Dan Ferrell

MANCHESTER — In the summer of 2001, when the Bonnaroo Music Festival experienced its first significant attendance boom, the city of Manchester was ill-prepared for the influx of visitors.

The result was gridlock in the streets of Manchester, and traffic tie-ups spilled over onto the highways.

Brenton Cox, the lead pastor at First Baptist, Manchester, felt moved to reach out to the stranded drivers, many of whom were trapped on the roads for hours. [Read more…]

TBMB leads seminars on how to reach this easily-distracted demographic

NAMB tour helps believers learn to share gospel

C-N football program sees 10 players make professions

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