CHURCHES

The members of Central Bearden Church, in West Knoxville, voted in a Special Called Business Meeting, March 9, to elect Rev. J. C. (James Calvin) Neely as their new Senior Pastor.  Neely is a graduate of Carson-Newman University and earned the Master of Divinity Degree at the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University.  He has 20 years of Pastoral Experience with most of that at Fellowship Church in Knoxville and more recently at the New Life Gathering Fellowship in Knoxville. He is married to the former Katie Fendley, also a graduate of Carson-Newman. They grew up in the Children and Student Ministries at Central Baptist Bearden, were baptized in the church, and later, were married at Central Bearden. They have three children. Rev. Neely will begin his ministry at Central Bearden in April.

EVENTS

A Pastors Conference will be held at Carson-Newman University on May 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DEATHS

Cornett

Kathern “Jeannie” Regina Cornett, 67, of Walland, Tenn., went to her heavenly home on March 17, 2025. She was a devoted member of Louisville First Baptist Church. Preceded in death by parents, Doc and Nina Mae Brewer; uncle, Jay Brewer. She left behind a loving husband of 50 years, Curtis Cornett; daughters by love, Jessica Wear, Nolanda Richards, Abbie Burchfield; sister, Wanda (Nolan) Richards; niece, Nolanda Richards; brothers, Randy (Peggy) and Gary (Tammy) Brewer; niece, Lexi; nephew, Ryker. Jeannie will be cremated, and the family will host a private celebration of life.

EVENTS

Big Hatchie Baptist Association will be hosting a Senior Adult Banquet on April 14 at 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Ripley. Kenny Evans will be the special guest.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team developed a one-day seminar called Sharing Hope in Crisis to prepare people to share the love and hope of Jesus when others are facing hard times. The next seminar will be on March 22 at the Hiwassee Community Auditorium in Madisonville. For information and to register for this free training, go to BillyGraham.org/RRTseminar.

Zion Baptist Church in Elizabethton will be hosting a Spring Revival, March 23-26, with evangelist Brent Carr on Sunday at 11 a.m. and evangelist Tyler Gaulden on Sunday at 6 p.m. and Monday–Wednesday at 7 p.m. Music will be provided by the Zion Adult Choir and McKamey Legacy.

ASSOCIATIONS

Clinton Baptist Association will be hosting a free NAMB Evangelism Training at Grace Baptist Church in Knoxville on April 22 from 10:30 to 1:30 ET. This training is designed to equip leaders with the tools and resources to create an evangelism-focused culture in their church. Speakers will be from the NAMB Evangelism Team and lunch will be provided. Each attendee must register separately by April 22.

ASSOCIATIONS

Big Hatchie Baptist Association will be hosting evangelism conference “Called to an Awakening” with evangelist David Burton. The training will be on March 29 from 9:30 to 3 p.m. and worship will be March 30 from 11 a.m. to noon at Calvary Baptist in Covington. The rally will be March 30 at 6 p.m. at Brighton Baptist.

CHURCHES

Red Bank and The Point Church is participating in the “3:16 on 3/16.” Senior pastor Sam Greer will preach on John 3:16 on March 16. In addition to providing a 16-day prayer guide, they will also hold a 3:16 pickleball tournament on March 1 – 2.

Seymour First Baptist Church will be hosting an “Autism Expo in the Smokies” on March 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is intended to welcome and support families impacted by special needs, not just autism. There is no cost for this event and no reservation needed.

EDUCATION

Union University will host a Scripture reading marathon March 11-13 and March 18-20 in which more than 400 volunteers will read for 10 minutes each under Miller Tower on the university’s Great Lawn. The reading will begin each day at 8 a.m. and conclude at 8 p.m. By the end of the sixth day, the entire Bible will have been read.Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to sign up for reading slots.

Five Cardinal & Cream staff members from Union University’s student publication won awards at the Southeast Journalism Conference’s Best of the South competition. First-place winners were Josiah Mancha for arts and entertainment writing and Olivia Bell for opinion/editorial writing. Abby Kraus earned second place in magazine design, Amy DeGroot took third in sports writing, and Faith Orr tied for fifth in art/illustration. The publication’s website placed fourth overall. The awards were presented Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at Mississippi State University. The conference includes 42 southeastern colleges and universities.

EVENTS

Red Bank Baptist Church, Chattanooga, will host a Wild Game Dinner on March 8 at 5 p.m. Michael Rivers, regional director of Truth in Nature, will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at pointchurch.org.

The New Salem Baptist Association will be hosting a Men’s Conference on March 21 at the Smith County Agricultural Center. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the service will begin at 7 p.m. Worship will be by The Nesbitts and the guest speaker will be Pastor Tyler Gaulden. Admission and meal are free.

CHURCHES

Rome Baptist, Lebanon, will have revival services from March 9-12.  The evangelist will be Phil Glisson of Memphis.

DEATHS

Pharris

Carol Pharris, age 83, passed away on Jan. 30, 2025. She was a former Tennessee State President of the Women’s Missionary Union and lifelong religious leader. Throughout her five decades of ministry alongside her late husband Donald Charles Pharris, she was known for her servant leadership. In addition to WMU, her service extended through various churches and Phoebe Connections. A native of Covington, Tenn., Pharris leaves behind her daughter Donna Walls and son-in-law Jim, son Chuck Pharris, granddaughters Caroline Walls Hensley (Andrew) and Callie Walls (fiancé Brenden Foster), and sister Jeanette Fryar (Doug). She was preceded in death by her husband Donald and brothers Tommy and Danny Ballard. A celebration of life service was held on Feb. 3 at Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, with interment following at Double Springs Cemetery in Cookeville.

Clark

Doris George Clark, age 93, of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025, after a brief illness. She was a longtime member of Grassland Heights Baptist Church. Doris spent 20 years at the Tennessee Baptist Convention, where she later retired and developed lifelong friendships. Funeral services were held Feb. 8 at Grassland Heights with Pastor Rusty Trotter officiating. Interment followed at Williamson Memorial Gardens with Mike Puckett officiating.

EVENTS

The Week of Prayer for North American missions is observed annually by SBC churches to pray for missionaries, their ministries and their families. This will officially start Sunday, March 2 and last through Sunday, March 9. Churches can choose this date or another time during the Easter season to participate. Online Resources can be found at anniearmstrong.com/resources.

The Group Essentials Conference will be on Feb. 24–25 at Germantown Baptist Church.  This is a free training in the Memphis area. Attendees get 10 hours of Sunday School best practices training, and everyone gets a new CSB pastor’s Bible, leather patrol, and multiple books on group ministry. Meals will be provided. You can register at lifeway.com/en/events/group-essentials. Attendees will be responsible for their own hotel room for one night.

Hickory Withe Baptist Church in Eads will be hosting their “Outside the Wire” men’s conference from Feb. 21–22. Guest speaker will be Jason Cruise, pastor at ClearView Baptist Church. Register at hickorywithe.org/men.

PEOPLE

Kenney Scott of Rock Hill will be ordained into the Gospel Ministry on Feb. 9. The ordination council will meet at 3 p.m. and the ordination service will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments in the fellowship hall.

ASSOCIATIONS

Weakley County Baptist Association’s annual Evangelism Conference will be held at New Home Baptist Church on Feb. 18. David Evans, pastor of Springfield Baptist Church, will be the preacher. The deadline for reservations for the dinner is Feb.10.

EDUCATION

Myhre

Union University’s McAfee School of Business will host Jason Myhre, executive director of the Eventide Center for Faith and Investing, for its annual Faith in the Marketplace luncheon Feb. 11. Eventide Center for Faith and Investing is designed to help Christians understand and practice biblically faithful investing. Myhre is also a founding member of Eventide Asset Management, an investment firm providing values-based investments rooted in a biblical worldview. The Faith in the Marketplace luncheon is open to the public and will begin at noon in the Carl Grant Events Center. Cost is $35 per seat or $250 per table of eight. Registration, which closes on Feb. 2, is available online at uu.edu/events/marketplace. [Read more…]

PEOPLE

Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Maryville, held a special lunch for retiring pastor Gary McCammon and his wife Penny on Jan. 5. The McCammons are moving to Georgia to be near their family. Levi Sanders will be the new lead pastor of Cedar Grove.

CHURCHES

First Baptist Church, Winchester, will hold revival services Jan. 26-31 with guest preacher Patrick Waller, pastor of College Street Baptist Church, Tullahoma. Sam O’Neal of Rutledge Falls Baptist Church, Tullahoma, will lead worship music. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Larry Murphy

Larry Murphy, director of missions for Madison-Chester Baptist Association and Crockett County Baptist Association will retire Dec. 31. Murphy served  as associate director of missions for two years before accepting DOM position 26 years ago. Prior to joining the association’s staff, he served on staff at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson. Murphy, who has been in the ministry for 48 years, plans to continue to serve as a church revitalization specialist for Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He also formerly served as BSU director at Union University and on the staff of Poplar Heights Baptist Church, Jackson. Murphy and his wife, Sharon, will continue to live in Jackson. [Read more…]

EDUCATION

Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek, will present its Life of Christ Christmas Drive-Thru Dec. 7-8 from 6-8 p.m. The church is located at 26 School House Circle in Brush Creek. Donation for the church’s Hats of Love Ministry are appreciated. For information, call 615-683-8249 or e-mail bcmbc@dtccom.net. In case of inclement weather, call and listen to the recording. [Read more…]

CHURCHES

Colonial Baptist Church, Memphis, will celebrate its 70th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Former pastor Gerald Hallmark, will lead the joint Sunday School class at 9 a.m. Clay Hallmark, pastor of First  Baptist Church, Lexington, and former TBC president, will bring the message in the 10:30 a.m.  worship service. A potluck luncheon will follow.

Hopewell Baptist Church, Cleveland, recently celebrated 163 years of serving God in its community. The church began in 1858 and has seen much change over the years. God is still working through this body. Embracing Ephesians 3:20-21, pastor Mike Wallin has led the church to begin new ministries. [Read more…]