Linden Valley Archives - Baptist & Reflector

FIVE WAYS I WITNESSED GOD AT WORK AT CAMP

July 22, 2021

By Aaron Wilson
Writer for Lifeway Christian Resources

Aaron Wilson and his son gather at “the spot” at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center with other CentriKid attendees before breaking into smaller groups for activities and Bible study. — Photo by Aaron Wilson

Last week I spent five days serving as a chaperone with my church at Lifeway’s CentriKid camp (held at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden). It was my 10-year-old twins’ first experience at camp and one of my first times back since I proposed to my wife at a Lifeway camp around 16 years ago.

Leading up to this year’s camp, I was praying for God to move in the lives of our kids. But I must admit, I was also hesitant about the trip. Spending 100+ straight hours with a bunch of loud, smelly, energetic boys is a bit much for my introvert-driven personality, and upon stepping foot in our cabin, I found myself initially counting down the hours until it was time to depart.

But by the end of the week, it was a different story. By that point, my nose had become so acclimatized to cabin life that I hardly noticed the mingled smells of sunscreen, bug repellant, and dirty laundry. What I did notice, however, was the way God had been moving in the lives of everyone on campus. It left me incredibly appreciative for the kingdom work Lifeway accomplishes through its camps ministry. [Read more…]

VOLUNTEERS STEP UP AFTER COVID-19 TO HELP CAMPS

July 15, 2021

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

Baptist volunteer Greg Merrell stands beneath a cross he built for the lobby at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport.

NEWPORT — One year after COVID-19 basically shut down Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport and Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden, the ministry is going once again.

In recent weeks, the two conference centers have been abuzz with the sounds of children and youth enjoying the amenities offered at each conference center, the sharing of the gospel during worship and Bible studies, music and more.

But there is a major difference at the conference centers as compared to years past. The conference centers normally are staffed by seasonal workers who earn extra income while serving at the camps during the summer months.

This year, however, it has not been easy to secure workers, said Kevin Perrigan, manager at Carson Springs.

Like many businesses, the conference centers are not immune from a seemingly lack of people seeking employment. Perrigan said Carson Springs tried to recruit staff but had only one applicant. [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…]

TBMB CONFERENCE CENTERS PLAN ‘SOFT REOPENING’

May 21, 2020

Baptist and Reflector

FRANKLIN — As COVID-19 began to spread in March, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board officially closed its two conference centers — Carson Springs in Newport and Linden Valley in Linden — on March18.

Mark Proctor, associate administrator of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, called the action a “hard close” because “everything was taken off the books at that point.”

Beginning June 23, the hard close ends and a “soft reopening” begins as the conference center reopens “to host select smaller groups, individuals and events that can be managed while meeting state and federal gathering guidelines.,” Proctor said. [Read more…]

GOVERNOR VISITS LINDEN

September 12, 2019

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee addressed the Governor’s Rural Opportunity Summit at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden. Officials from Tennessee’s 15 “distressed counties” met with Gov. Lee and his cabinet at the Tennessee Baptist facility.

Cole Campbell, manager of Linden Valley and his wife, Kazeray, had the opportunity to welcome Gov. Lee to Linden Valley.

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…]

NEW SPECIALISTS JOIN TBMB STAFF

October 9, 2018

Baptist and Reflector

Cole Campbell

FRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board has announced the addition of three new specialists to its staff.

Cole Campbell has been promoted to manager of the Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center. Campbell began working part-time at the conference center in 2008 and began serving full time with the facility in 2014.

In his new role, Campbell will manage all facilities, activities, employees and functions of Linden Valley. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Campbell lives in Linden with his wife Kazeray. [Read more…]

LINDEN VALLEY CITED FOR EXCELLENCE

December 11, 2015

Baptist and Reflector

LINDEN — Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center has been awarded the 2015 Star of Excellence for Outstanding Non-Profit Organization.

The award was presented to Tim Bearden, conference centers senior manager for the Tennessee Baptist Convention, on Dec. 3 during an awards banquet sponsored by the Perry County Chamber of Commerce. The conference center was recognized for the “outstanding service and contributions your organization and its volunteers provide to benefit Perry County.” [Read more…]

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

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