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IT’S ALMOST GATHERING TIME

October 31, 2019

Tennessee Baptists will meet in Knoxville for Summit in mid-November

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

FRANKLIN — In less than three weeks, Tennessee Baptists will descend upon Knoxville to attend the Summit which includes the 145th annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The theme of Summit is “By All Means, Win TN.”

The week begins on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Concord, in Knoxville with a “Tennessee Reunion.” The evening worship service features Rick Barnes, head basketball coach at the University of Tennessee who is known for his Christian testimony and witness. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Featured, News Tagged With: pastors, Summit

SUMMIT 2019 — ON THE HOMESTRETCH

September 13, 2019

By David Green
President, Tennessee Baptist Convention

It is a true blessing to see what God is doing in and through Tennessee Baptists as we approach the homestretch toward the “Summit” in November.

The Tennessee Baptist Convention is blessed with some of God’s choice servants. Our pastors, directors of missions, BCM directors, state convention ministry specialists, and our ministry partners across this state along with countless volunteers are dedicated to winning our state to Jesus at all cost.

This year’s Summit will be a time of worship, celebration, inspiration and motivation for us to keep on reaching our state with the gospel. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Opinion Column Tagged With: Summit

SUMMIT 2019 WILL FOCUS ON ‘BY ALL MEANS, WIN TN’

September 11, 2019

Hendersonville pastor Bruce Chesser to be nominated as TBC president; FBC Concord is hosting event

Baptist and Reflector 

FRANKLIN — “By All Means, Win TN” is the theme of the 2019 Summit, scheduled for Nov. 17-20 at First Baptist Church, Concord, in Knoxville.

Summit festivities begin on Sunday, Nov. 17, with the “Tennessee Reunion” at 6 p.m. at First Baptist, Concord. The worship service will feature Rick Barnes, men’s basketball coach at the University of Tennessee, one of the most decorated and accomplished head coaches in school history.

Also on Sunday night, the All Nations Worship will be held at Black Oak Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Featured, News, Tennessee Tagged With: Summit

TOP STORIES OF 2018

January 8, 2019

Analytics of the B&R website reveal these stories to have received the most clicks in the past 12 months

1-5. RESIGNATION, TERMINATION OF PROMINENT SBC LEADERS MAKE UP TOP-5 STORIES OF 2018

Stories about Frank Page (left) and Paige Patterson (above) were among the most read on the B&R site in 2019. — Photos from Baptist Press

Frank Page’s resignation as president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee in late March and Paige Patterson’s termination from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in late May were among the biggest stories of the year among B&R readers. In fact, the five most-read stories of the year on the B&R website involved either Page or Patterson. The No. 1 most-read story — “Southwestern Trustees terminate Patterson” — was posted on May 31 and was compiled by the B&R staff. Other stories that made the top-5 included:

No. 2 — EC’s Page resigns over ‘Personal Failing’ (posted on March 27)
No. 3 — Patterson removed as SWBTS President (posted May 23)
No. 4 — Patterson: ‘I will not preach the convention sermon’ (posted on June 8)
No. 5 — What the Southwestern action really means (Column by B&R editor Lonnie Wilkey, posted May 23).

 

6. GREEN TO BE NOMINATED AS TBC PRESIDENT

David Green, pictured here with his wife, Tracy, was elected TBC president in November. — Photo by James Wilson

On July 5, the B&R posted a story announcing David Green, pastor of First Baptist Church, Greeneville, would be nominated for president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

The story, compiled by the B&R staff, noted that Danny Sinquefield, pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Bartlett, had notified the Baptist and Reflector of his intention to nominate Green. Sinquefield said he asked Green to prayerfully consider the nomination.

Green was elected president of the TBC three months later during Summit at West Jackson Baptist Church, Jackson.

 

7. THE KING’S ACADEMY APPOINTS MERCER AS PRESIDENT, HEADMASTER

On July 12, the B&R posted a story announcing that the Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy/The King’s Academy board of trustees had unanimously elected Matthew Mercer as president/headmaster. Mercer was picked to replace Walter Grubb, who retired after seven years of service as principal and 24 years as academy president/headmaster. “We are eager to see what God is going to do in and through our family at TKA,” said Mercer.

 

8. TENN. DR TEAMS RESPOND AFTER HURRICANE IN N.C.

On Sept. 19, the B&R posted a story about Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams that were providing assistance in North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Florence. The story, compiled by the B&R staff, included information from TBMB disaster relief specialist Wes Jones.

 

9. GOD’S PLAN IS PERSONAL FOR RICKY SKAGGS

Ricky Skaggs poses with his wife Sharon White.

On Nov. 2, the B&R posted a feature story about country music star Ricky Skaggs. The story, from Baptist Press, was posted roughly three weeks after Skaggs was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Skaggs, a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, told BP that he believes God wants to be intimately involved in life’s details.

“God is such a personal God,” Skaggs told BP. “He loves the journey in our life, and He wants to walk with us, and He wants us to walk with Him.”

 

10. COURT UPHOLDS AMENDMENT 1 VOTE

On Jan. 10, the B&R posted a story that informed readers that “A federal appeals court ruled to uphold the results of a 2014 statewide vote in Tennessee that provided for stricter abortion regulations in the state.” The story, compiled by the B&R staff, noted that a number of churches and religious organizations, including the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, supported Amendment 1 through an effort called “Yes On 1.”

 

11. RETIRED TBMB STAFFER PAUL CLARK DIES

Paul Clark

On Dec. 26, the B&R posted a story that reported the passing of Paul Clark Jr., (left) the retired director of worship and music ministries for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Clark died after a long illness.

The story, written by Baptist and Reflector editor Lonnie Wilkey, was among the most read stories of the year even though it was posted only five days before the year ended. The high volume of readers underscores the impact of Clark’s far-reaching ministry and the amount of lives that he touched.

 

12. PASTOR’S WIFE SHARES STORY OF TRAGEDY, FAITH

On April 10, the B&R posted a story about Kim Harmon, who endured an unspeakable tragedy that involved her nephew being charged with the death of her brother-in-law.

Harmon, the wife of a Tennessee pastor, used the tragedy to bring glory to God, expressing how she learned to forgive her nephew in a recently-published book, When Life Knocks You Down, Fall Forward: A Story of Struggle, Strength, & True Forgiveness.

 

13. LESSONS LEARNED FROM THAILAND CAVE RESCUE

On July 11, the B&R posted a blog from editor Lonnie Wilkey about the 12 soccer players and their coach who were rescued after being trapped in a cave for 18 days in Thailand.

In his blog, Wilkey wrote, “Christians and churches can learn from this incredible cave rescue as they are faced with a similar life and death issue: reaching the thousands upon thousands of people in our world who will die without professing faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.”

 

14. BAPTISTS RALLY AROUND HISPANIC FAMILIES

On April 10, the B&R posted a story, written by editor Lonnie Wilkey, about Tennessee Baptists who were ministering to families affected by the raid on a Bean Station slaughterhouse. The story included quotes from William Burton, ethnic church planting specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. In the story, Burton noted that some of the 100-plus or so children whose families were employed by the slaughterhouse went home from school only to find one or both parents were in the process of deportation. Burton said First Baptist Church, Morristown, and Hillcrest Baptist Church, Morristown, along with other churches of Nolachucky Baptist Association, had sent food, water, and toiletries to family members and even provided toiletry kits to those who were being deported.

 

15. IN PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT PASTOR

Randy C. Davis

On Feb. 6, the B&R posted a column by TBMB president and executive director Randy C. Davis in which he encouraged pastors to “quit trying to be everywhere, do everything, and please everyone.” Davis said pastors should, “Lean into the One Who is perfect. … We need to daily sit at the feet of Jesus and just enjoy His presence. He is the One who renews, restores, and reenergizes. You can only serve from the overflow of His grace in your life, so you need to drink often from His refreshing fountain.” Davis closed the column by challenging both pastors and church members: “Let’s live as people of grace, loving one another, and loving the spiritually lost. Let’s help each other finish strong.”

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Filed Under: News, Tennessee Tagged With: Disaster Relief, pastors, Summit

GREEN: KEEP DOING WHAT WE DO WELL

December 4, 2018

TBC’s new president plans to continue focus on statewide evangelism

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

David Green

FRANKLIN — As David Green begins his tenure as president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, his primary plan is to encourage Tennessee Baptists to keep their focus on what past TBC presidents have emphasized in recent years — sharing the gospel with the more than four million people in Tennessee who have no relationship with Jesus Christ.

Green, pastor of First Baptist Church, Greeneville, was elected by acclamation in November during the Summit held at West Jackson Baptist Church in Jackson to lead the convention in 2019. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Featured, News, Tennessee Tagged With: evangelism, Summit

PANEL BRINGS EVANGELISM TO FOREFRONT

November 21, 2018

During the 2018 Summit, Roc Collins, TBMB director of strategic initiatives, hosted a panel discussion on evangelism and discipleship. Below are some excerpts from the discussion. A full length transcript and an unedited audio version of this discussion is available here.

— Compiled by Chris Turner

Panel members (from left) Thomas Bester, Randy C. Davis, Steve Gaines and Derek Smith discuss evangelism and discipleship with moderator Roc Collins.
— Photo by James Wilson

THOMAS BESTER
Founding Pastor, Forerunner Baptist Church, Ripley
Evangelism Coordinator, Big Hatchie Association

“The Bible says that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation and if you can’t share the gospel, then you can’t share the power.”

“Our first gospel conversation needs to be with God. This entails God’s children talking to God. Then we must share that conversation with the people of God. … It’s important that we, as children of God, not keep the gospel to ourselves.” [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Featured, News, Tennessee Tagged With: Summit

SPEAKERS OFFER HOPE, ENCOURAGEMENT

November 20, 2018

By Nathan Handley
Contributing Writer, B&R

During the Pastors Conference, Corey Cain, right, pastor of Maplewood Baptist Church, Paris, was elected president-elect. Scott Parkison, 2018 president-elect and senior pastor of Stevens Street Baptist Church, Cookeville, center will become president next year. Lee Bailey, executive pastor of Stevens Street Baptist, was elected secretary-treasurer.

JACKSON  — Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, said no matter what happens in the world, Christians have hope in the fact that Jesus is in control.

“Every day I wake up I know one thing that will never change,” Gaines said. “Jesus is Lord.”

Gaines was one of six speakers at the 2018 Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference Nov. 12 at West Jackson Baptist Church in Jackson. Other speakers included Johnny Hunt, pastor of Woodstock Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga.; Scott Parkison, pastor of Stevens Street Baptist Church, Cookeville; Robert Smith, professor of Christian preaching at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.; Don Whitt, evangelist from Memphis; and Ken Whitten, pastor of Idlewood Baptist Church, Lutz, Fla. The theme for the conference was “Until He Comes!” [Read more…]

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Filed Under: News, Tennessee Tagged With: pastors, Summit

EASLEY: THERE IS INFINITE POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS

November 20, 2018

By Nathan Handley
Contributing Writer, B&R

Jordan Easley delivers the convention sermon in Jackson.

JACKSON  — Jordan Easley, pastor of First Baptist Church, Cleveland, said as long as there is power in the name of Jesus, the church has hope.

“We’ve been given access to the name of Jesus, the only name that brings power,” he said. “There is infinite power in His name.” [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Featured, News, Tennessee Tagged With: Summit

RADIO B&R EP. 17: SPECIAL EDITION SUMMIT 2018 PANEL ON EVANGELISM

November 16, 2018

Roc Collins hosts a panel discussion at Summit 2018 on evangelism and discipleship that features Steve Gaines, Randy C. Davis, Thomas Bester and Derek Smith.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Radio B&R Tagged With: evangelism, Summit

A CLARION CALL AND NOT JUST A THEME

November 6, 2018

By Randy C. Davis
TBMB President & Executive Director

In 1873, a young Dwight L. Moody stood in the vestry of a Baptist church in Dublin, Ireland, talking with Henry Varley, an influential British revivalist preacher. During the course of that conversation, Varley uttered words that rocketed through Moody’s soul and altered the course of Moody’s future ministry.

“Moody,” he said, “The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to him.”

Moody said he left that meeting with the words written on his soul. He saw them written on the planks of the ship that returned him to America and on the cobblestone streets of Chicago. On a return trip to England, Moody told Varley, “Under the power of those words I have come back to England, and I felt that I must not let more time pass until I let you know how God had used your words to my inmost soul.” [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Opinion Column Tagged With: evangelism, Randy C. Davis, Summit

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Recent Posts

  • PRO-LIFERS, IT’S TIME TO FOLLOW THROUGH
  • STATE PCC DIRECTORS EXCITED, BUT CAUTIOUS
  • ‘JUST HORRIFIC’: ILLINOIS, KENTUCKY SOUTHERN BAPTISTS MINISTER AFTER WEEKEND SHOOTINGS
  • CHURCHES CELEBRATE HIGH COURT’S RULING
  • TENNESSEANS PREPARE FOR ‘ATHEIST CAPITAL OF GERMANY’
  • GOV. LEE SAYS ROE V. WADE DECISION WAS ‘ANSWER TO LOTS OF PRAYERS’

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Carson-Newman University Chris Turner Cooperative Program coronavirus COVID-19 David Dawson Disaster Relief evangelism IMB Lonnie Wilkey missions NAMB pastors Randy C. Davis Summit TenneScene Union University

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