Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

2020: A YEAR TO REMEMBER

Ministry created by tornadoes, pandemic dominate year’s top stories

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

FRANKLIN — The year 2020 began on a positive note with giving through the Cooperative Program at a high level for the first four months of the fiscal year and after a record-breaking year for gifts through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions in 2019.

Then came March — and life turned upside down, not only for the nation, but for Tennessee Baptist churches as well. [Read more…]

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WE DID IT TOGETHER! NOW LET’S AIM EVEN HIGHER

By Randy C. Davis
TBMB President & Executive Director

Posterity will probably remember 2020 as the “Year of COVID-19.” The negative global impact of the coronavirus pandemic has certainly left its mark on Tennessee, the United States and the rest of the world. 

However, I will remember 2020 as the year Tennessee Baptists set a record for generously giving through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions. We broke the previous giving record last week, and as of this writing, total giving for this year was $1,922,235 with five days remaining in the GOTM year (Sept.-Aug). Everything added to the total in these last few days only extends that historical threshold. 

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you, Tennessee Baptists, for your faithfulness and sacrificial giving.  [Read more…]

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NEW RECORD SET FOR GOTM

Baptist and Reflector

FRANKLIN — In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, Tennessee Baptists gave a record amount through the 2019-2020 Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions.

As of Aug. 31, a total of $1,948,324 has been given from 1,202 churches (subject to final review of deposits on Aug. 31 and month-end closing). The previous record was set just a year ago when Tennessee Baptists gave $1,920,733 through the 2018-19 GOTM.

“This is a miraculous testimony to the generosity of folks in our churches, even in the midst of a global pandemic,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. [Read more…]

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PRAYER AND GIVING ARE THE HEART OF GOTM

By Vickie Anderson
Executive director, Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union

Things are looking different this September. Virtual and in-person schools starting back. Some team sports are canceled, others are playing but with limited or no fans present and others playing with no limitations. 

Words like masks, social distancing and quarantine have been part of our regular vocabulary. Churches are at different stages of in person or virtual worship, small groups gathering, choirs singing, etc. 

While many things may look different this year, there is much that is still the same, including the over four million people in our state who are unchurched or spiritually lost.  

 In 1902, W.C. and Mildred Golden challenged Tennessee Baptists to pray for our Tennessee mission field and to give to the first state missions offering. The offering was named after them in 1943. Today, churches are still encouraged to learn about, pray for, give to and serve in missions and ministries in Tennessee.  [Read more…]

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2020 HAS BEEN A POP QUIZ FOR ALL AMERICANS

By Matt Tullos
Stewardship development specialist, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

Most of us can remember this scenario. Students walk into a classroom, bleary eyed from a late night of doing nothing productive. The teacher enters and the rustling of paper and books ceases. Then, the illprepared students hear those familiar, yet no less fateful instructions: “Please put your books under your desk, get out a sheet of looseleaf paper, and a pen.” 

We know what this all means, don’t we? It’s an unscheduled scholastic examination. Better known as a “Pop Quiz.” 

I have to admit this. There’s no harm in saying it. It’s been 30 years since I’ve had one and the educational statute of limitations has long since expired. I was a crammer. My nights before the exams were a blend of note cards, memory strategies, speed reading, and excessive amounts of coffee. I rarely thought of pop quizzes until I slipped my books under my desk.  [Read more…]

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TBMB FACEBOOK LIVE EVENT TO PREMIERE GOTM VIDEOS

Baptist and Reflector

To help promote the launch of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s 2020-21 Tennessee  Mission Emphasis, the TBMB will host a Facebook Live Premiere event on Thursday night at 7 p.m. Central (8 p.m. Eastern).

The event will include a viewing of all the 2020-2021 Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions promotional videos, and will be
available through the TBMB’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tnbaptist.
[Read more…]

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TBC CHURCHES STILL GIVING DESPITE COVID

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

FRANKLIN — In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, Tennessee Baptist Convention churches are practicing good stewardship as they continue to give generously through the Cooperative Program, the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions and other mission offerings.

That’s the observation of Matt Tullos, special assistant to the executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and stewardship specialist.

“This is a difficult, difficult time, but I think God is using it in some powerful ways to help us get our focus back on what is really important,” Tullos said during a podcast on Radio B&R (see Episode 46). [Read more…]

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STORIES THAT SHAPED 2019

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

SEE ALSO – RADIO B&R EP. 37: TBMB JANUARY UPDATE WITH RANDY C. DAVIS

 

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…]

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SEPTEMBER: PERFECT TIME TO PRAY, PARTICIPATE

By Vickie Anderson
Tennessee WMU Executive Director

According to www.nationaldaycalendar.com, the month of September has a variety of things to observe or celebrate: baby safety, better breakfast, blueberry popsicles, chicken, classical music, courtesy, fall hats, honey, mushrooms, rice, piano, self-care, self-improvement, square dancing, whole grains, and more.

For Tennessee Baptists, September brings the opportunity to observe and participate in the Week of Prayer for State Missions and the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions. And while the offering is taken year-round, and the ministries happen throughout the year, in September, we spotlight how together we support missions and ministries in Tennessee. [Read more…]

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GOLDEN MOMENT

Tennessee Baptists establish new record for giving through Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions

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

FRANKLIN —  Tennessee Baptists gave a record $1,920,733 through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions in 2018-19.

The amount is $77,222 over the old record of $1,843,511 which was set during 2016-17.

Tennessee Baptists have come to understand and value that “any way you slice it, Tennessee is a missions field,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

“We are excited and thrilled that Tennessee Baptists have given sacrificially to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in our state where more than 50 percent of the residents are unchurched,” Davis continued.

Vickie Anderson, executive director of Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union, which helps to promote the annual GOTM offering, agreed. “The churches who give through GOTM see that our state is a missions field,” she said. [Read more…]

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