Randy C. Davis, executive director/treasurer of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, recognized new and outgoing officers during the final session of the 2015 Pastors Conference held Nov. 9 at First Baptist Church, Millington. From left are Jim Collier, Kirby Woods Baptist Church, Memphis, 2017 president-elect; Todd Stinnett, Black Oak Heights Baptist Church, Knoxville, 2016 president; Michael Crandall, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Dyersburg, secretary-treasurer; Steve Gaines, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova outgoing president; and Davis. — Photo by Corinne Williams

MILLINGTON — Focusing on the theme from Isaiah 64:1 of “Rend the Heavens and Come Down,” speakers at the 2015 Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference at First Baptist Church in Millington addressed a number of topics related to revival.
Grant Gaines, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Jackson, emphasized the need for sound doctrine in churches as the basis for revival and for the well-being of believers.

Preaching from I Timothy 1: 3-4, Gaines said if churches are to be healthy, sound teaching must be established and false teaching must be stopped.
A revival of sound teaching, Gaines said, requires the care of church leaders, the rebuke of false teachers, an understanding of false teaching, and order in God’s house.

“If we are going to experience revival, it’s not going to be because we have discovered some new revelation,” Gaines said. “If we are going to experience revival, it’s going to be because we have rediscovered some very ancient revelation.”
Ted Traylor, senior pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fla., reminded pastors that when they preach the gospel and during times when they struggle, God is their helper. [Read more…]