Editor’s Note: David Leavell, pastor of First Baptist Church, Millington, has been announced as a nominee for president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Any other nominee for the offices of president and vice presidents are encouraged to notify the B&R and we will print those nominations as well.

Baptist and Reflector

FRANKLIN — Knoxville native Todd Stinnett will be nominated as vice president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention during the annual meeting to be held during Summit, Nov. 13-14 at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville.

Stinnett, senior pastor of Black Oak Heights Baptist Church, Knoxville, currently serves as second vice president. He was president of the Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference in 2016 and is a former member of the Executive Board (now Tennessee Baptist Mission Board). He also is a past member of the Committee on Nominations for the Southern Baptist Convention. [Read more…]

Baptist and Reflector

MILLINGTON — David  Leavell will be nominated as president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention during the Summit, scheduled for Nov. 12-15 at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville.

Charles Fowler, pastor of Germantown Baptist Church, Germantown, recently announced plans to nominate Leavell, pastor of First Baptist Church, Millington.

Fowler described Leavell as an “excellent preacher and evangelist” who “loves our denomination.”  [Read more…]

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

SEVIERVILLE — The about 170 ministers’ wives who attended “The Good Cup” learned from four dramatic presentations, discussions around their tables with peers, and worshiped during Summit: The Gathering of Tennessee Baptists held Nov. 13-17 at the Sevierville Convention Center.

Carol Anderson Shores of Acts of Renewal Ministry based in Kentucky portrayed four characters during the event and then taught using the characters and their experiences.

She portrayed Martha who hosted Jesus for a meal along with her sister Mary recorded in Luke 10:38-42. Shores says at one point as she orders servants in their tasks to prepare the meal, “If this meal ever comes together, it will be a miracle. Benhop, get away from the door. We work here for the teacher. Yes, I’m sure what He has to say is fascinating, but let’s get back to what’s important.” [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

SEVIERVILLE – Nearly 2,000 Tennessee Baptists from across the state gathered at the Sevierville Convention Center Nov. 13 for a “Tennessee Reunion.”

An estimated 1,600 people attended the worship service led by fellow Tennessean Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, and president of the Southern Baptist Convention during the opening night of Summit scheduled for Nov. 13-17. Another 400 people attended a concurrent worship service for Hispanic Baptists in an adjoining hall.

Former University of Tennessee football legend Todd Kelly Sr. joined Gaines at the worship service that featured music from the Tennessee Men’s Chorale and praise team from First Baptist Church, Sevierville. [Read more…]

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

SEVIERVILLE — “What is the one thing that God wants? … The one thing that God wants is worship,” said Gary Jared at the Tennessee Baptist Convention annual meeting. The meeting was held as part of the Nov. 13-17 Summit here.

At one time he thought worship was based on how well he preached or how well the baptismal service went, said Jared during the convention sermon.

“A lot of people will miss what worship is all about,” he explained. One of his professors described worship as a person giving God their undivided attention and undivided affection, added Jared who is pastor, Stuart Heights Baptist Church, Chattanooga. [Read more…]