The TBDR team pauses for a quick photo after completing work on the bridge.

WASHINGTON COUNTY — On Jan. 2, with God’s blessing, the impossible became a reality.

A team of Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers completed a 100-foot bridge replacement over Roan Creek, reconnecting a homeowner to her property more than a year after Hurricane Helene destroyed the original structure.

The bridge, located between Butler and Mountain City, was swept away in September 2024 when more than 36 inches of rain fell in the Upper East Tennessee mountains during the hurricane.

Tennessee Baptist disaster relief volunteers work to complete a bridge in Washington County.

“This one is above our pay grade,” Don Owen, Nolachucky Baptist Association Disaster Relief director, said Tennessee Baptist leadership initially concluded. [Read more…]

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Valley Grove calls Holbrook as pastor

Baptist and Reflector

KNOXVILLE — Valley Grove Baptist Church in South Knoxville announced the calling of Evan Holbrook as its 30th senior pastor. Holbrook will preach his first sermon Jan. 11, 2026, bringing fresh vision and energy to a congregation with deep roots.

Holbrook grew up in Livingston, Texas, before entering full-time ministry. Over the past 18 years, he has served in churches in Houston and Tennessee. Most recently, as lead student pastor at First Baptist, Cleveland, he oversaw a ministry building a culture where teenagers engaged with church and mission work.

“My family and I are humbled, thankful and blessed to be called to Valley Grove Baptist Church,” Holbrook said. “God is in the details, and I believe he has brought us here at such a time as this to share Jesus Christ in every home from Seymour to the ends of the earth.”

Holbrook holds a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and Christianity from Houston Baptist University and a Master of Divinity from Liberty University. He and his wife, Kristen, also a Liberty University graduate, have four children: Carden, Lincoln, Klaiborne and Carroway. The family is relocating to the Seymour/South Knoxville community.

Jordan Easley, Holbrook’s current senior pastor, praised his abilities. “Evan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has grown tremendously as a preacher and communicator,” Easley said. “His ability to connect with students and congregants alike has fostered a vibrant and growing community within our church.” B&R

EVENTS

The Beech River Baptist Association will launch its “30 by 2030” evangelism initiative Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Parsons. The five-year plan aims to increase Bible study participation by 30% from 2026-2030 to evangelize the lost, equip believers and expand God’s kingdom. Ken Braddy will provide instruction on characteristics of a healthy Sunday school. Attendees are asked to bring a dessert. Registration is by church only at beechriver.com/30×2030.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gary Jared & Brian Smith

Stuart Heights Baptist announces pastoral transition

HIXSON  — Stuart Heights Baptist Church announced in November that Senior Pastor Gary Jared will retire in January after 35 years of service, transitioning to pastor emeritus.

Under Jared’s leadership, the church grew to three campuses serving the Chattanooga area with more than 1,000 active members.

“We are deeply grateful for pastor Gary’s years of devoted service,” said Wally Reece, Chair of the Personnel Committee. “This transition allows us to honor his legacy while ensuring strong leadership continuity for our church family.”

The congregation voted to install Brian K. Smith as senior pastor effective Jan. 1. Smith has served as senior associate pastor at Stuart Heights since 2010, contributing to pulpit ministry, member assimilation, staff development and pastoral care.

Smith brings more than 30 years of ministry experience, including roles as lead pastor and church planter of Connection Church in Cleveland, Tennessee, and pastor of Valley View Baptist Church. He holds a doctorate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Jared will preach his final sermon as senior pastor Dec. 28.

Stuart Heights Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist congregation affiliated with the Hamilton County Baptist Association, Tennessee Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist Convention. B&R

C-N wins Moot Court championship 

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University’s Moot Court Team won the Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge in Nashville Nov. 20-23, defeating Vanderbilt University, Sewanee: The University of the South, Belmont University and Milligan University.

The competition allows Tennessee undergraduates to argue appellate cases before legal panels. Students prepare briefs and argue as petitioner and respondent on legal problems.

Pictured are C-N team members, front row, left to right: Keylon Plemons and Molly Bohanan. Second Row: Parker Miller, Douglas Ford, Coleman Byers, Dr. Kara Stooksbury, Sydney Courtney and Anne Marie Richards. (Not pictured is team member Annie Smith.). B&R

EVENTS

Laura Story

Carson-Newman University will hold its annual Christmas concert and Christmas Tree Lighting Dec. 6. This year’s event features worship leader and Christian recording artist Laura Story along with C-N music ensembles. The event is free and open to the public. The 7 p.m. event will be held in the University’s Gentry Auditorium located in C-N’s Henderson Humanities Building. Seating is limited.

Brush Creek Baptist Church will be hosting the “Life of Christ” Christmas Drive-Thru from Dec. 6-7. This free, family-friendly event offers a unique, drive-thru experience of the story of Christ’s birth, life, and sacrifice, with displays, live actors, and animals bringing key moments of the gospel to life. All donations from the event will benefit Hats of Love Ministry. In case of inclement weather, please call 615-683-8249 for recorded message.

JACKSON — More than 90 pastors, church leaders, and associational leaders extended their Summit experience to attend the Return Together: A Post-Summit Gathering with Richard Blackaby hosted by the Strengthening Healthy Churches Team.

“We’re very good at doing what we can do, but God invites us to join what only He can do,” said Blackaby, challenging attendees as he preached from John 3. [Read more…]

EVENTS

Rev. Dennis Johnson, Associate Pastor of Worship and Music of Meridian Baptist Church, Knoxville, for the past 25 years plans to retire at the end of the year. Friends are invited to attend a reception for him on Nov. 16, in the Meridian Baptist Church Fellowship Hall immediately following Worship Service (noon to 2 p.m. ET).

BOOKS

Tennessee author Carol B. Ghattas has published “When You Don’t Feel Like Celebrating: A 31-Day Advent Devotional,” designed for those struggling with grief or hardship during Christmas. The devotional guides readers through Isaiah’s prophecies to offer hope and encouragement during difficult times, including loss, displacement or other challenges. The book is available at ambassador-international.com and other distributors.

EVENTS

New Bethel Baptist Church of Shelbyville will be celebrating 170 years of ministry on Oct. 5 at 9:30. Joe Rucker, Heart of Texas Recording Artist, will be the special music. Current pastor Jonathan Curry will bring the message, and a fellowship meal will follow.

DEATHS

Parks

Robert Keith Parks, a transformative missions leader who opened Southern Baptists’ eyes to millions of unreached peoples worldwide, died Aug. 26, 2025, at age 97. Parks served 45 years in international missions, including 14 years as a missionary to Indonesia with his wife Helen Jean, before becoming the ninth president of the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) from 1980 to 1992. A native of Memphis, Texas, who first experienced missions as a student missionary to Colombia, Parks always identified himself simply as “a missionary” throughout his career.

Parks’ presidency coincided with world-changing events including the fall of the Berlin Wall, dissolution of the Soviet Union, and rapid technological advances. His visionary leadership transformed Southern Baptist missions strategy by shifting focus from traditional mission stations to reaching more than 6,000 unreached people groups. This research-driven approach led to innovative programs like Cooperative Services International in 1985, which sent teachers, doctors, and humanitarian workers to countries closed to traditional missionaries, and the nonresidential missionary program for creative outreach strategies.

After retiring as Foreign Mission Board president in 1992, Parks became the first missions coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. His legacy continues to shape modern missions strategy, with current IMB leadership crediting his focus on unengaged peoples as foundational to today’s approach.

He is survived by three sons and their families; his wife Helen Jean and daughter Eloise both died in 2021.

EVENTS

East Hickman Baptist, in Lyles, Tenn., will have revival services Oct. 5-8.  The evangelist will be Phil Glisson of Memphis.

EDUCATION

Students heading to college can connect with Baptist Collegiate Campus Ministry through a referral link for spiritual growth, fellowship, and mission opportunities on campus. The Tennessee Baptist organization encourages families to refer incoming freshmen to help them find ministry connections at their specific campus through www.tnbaptist.org/incoming-college-freshmen.

DEATHS

Whitehead

Janie Lou Whitehead, 69, died July 30, 2025. Janie was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Maryville, Tenn., a church of which she was proudly the first baby born. She devoted many years to teaching Sunday School and serving as a deeply involved pastor’s wife. Most recently, she found joy working at Mom’s Day Out at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, where she lovingly cared for babies. Janie was family-oriented and passionate about hosting people and bringing them together. On a birthday, she delighted in making a customized meal, cake, and homemade ice cream. She was generous, genuine, giving, kind, and welcoming to everyone she met. Janie also loved all things purple, shopping trips, and matching her nails with her outfits. She was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Lucy Lowe, her brothers Randy and Tim Lowe, and her in-laws Robert and Josephine Whitehead. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, John Whitehead.

Hill

Rev. Harrison Henry Hill, 82, of Maryville, died after a short illness on Aug. 10, 2025. He was a devoted and faithful Christian and pastor for over 50 years. He was member of Ridge View Baptist Church. Harrison loved the Lord, his church, his kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He pastored three churches in the Blount County area: Macedonia Baptist, Friendly Hill Baptist and Mountain View Baptist. Harrison worked for Hill Brothers Masonry Contractor for over 40 years with his three brothers and finally retiring from Anderson Lumber Company. He was preceded in death by parents Henry and Kate Hill; wife Nancy Lee Hill; brother Mike Hill; sisters Lucille Harkleroad and Henrietta Hill. He is survived by daughter Charlene (Brent) Bailey of Maryville; sons Duane (Kristi) Hill of Maryville and Darrell (Tammy) Hill of Knoxville.