LEADERS

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…]

Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief

— Photos by Lonnie Wilkey and Chris Turner unless otherwise noted.

Note: Those wishing to make financial contributions can visit TNDisasterRelief.org and click the “East Tennessee hurricane/flooding fund” button. For additional ways to support TBDR, visit the “Long-Term Needs List.” [Read more…]

Carson-Newman University’s Damjana Mraovic-O’Hare has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar. For C-N’s associate professor of English and director of the Writing Center, the news opened the door to an exciting opportunity to study and teach in Belgrade, Serbia this fall. Being a Fulbright Scholar is considered by many as one of the most prestigious fellowships a U.S. scholar can be awarded, with only 20 percent who apply earning the honor. Mraovic-O’Hare, who is in her seventh year at Carson-Newman, earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Belgrade.

Calvary Baptist Church, Lenoir City, called Jonathan Tharpe as pastor on Sept. 15.

Tennessee native Carol B. Ghattas has written When Serving Gets Tough: A Thirty-Day Devotional for Missionaries. The book offers encouragement and wisdom for anyone struggling with the demands of cross-cultural service. A veteran missionary and author, Ghattas shares her experiences, providing practical guidance and hope through Scripture. Each daily entry is designed to help missionaries reconnect with their faith, find strength in God’s promises and press on in their calling despite difficulties. The book is available at missionbooks.org or other book distributors. [Read more…]

CHURCHES

Williams Chapel Baptist Church, Springfield, will celebrate its 138th homecoming day on Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. with guest speaker Jon Fuqua. A special offering for the cemetery fund will be collected.

LEADERS

Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, Paris, recently called Mike Burney as pastor. [Read more…]

CHURCHES

Parkburg Baptist Church, Pinson, will have revival services Oct. 27-30 with evangelist Phil Glisson of Memphis.

Colonial Baptist Church in 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 president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, will bring the message in the 10:30 a.m. worship service. A potluck luncheon will follow.

First Baptist Church, Dover, was established Aug. 17, 1924, as the first Baptist church in Stewart County. Members of the church marked the anniversary with a “Centennial Celebration” on Aug. 25 with guest speaker Randy C. Davis (president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board), former staff members and a churchwide fellowship meal. [Read more…]

LEADERS

In his third book with Courier Publishing, retired pastor Ken Clayton offers a diligent study of the book of Romans in Justified by Faith, similar to his early works on the Gospel of John and the book of Daniel. “In Romans, Paul does not share as much discussion about practical problems as he does in his other letters,” Clayton observes. “Paul used this letter to explain the Christian gospel, God’s plan of salvation and its impact on their daily living. A graduate of Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., Clayton has served churches in Tennessee and Kentucky and was a missionary in Spain. He and his wife, Joy, are members of Shiloh Baptist Church, Mount Juliet.

Jimmy Webb, pastor of Oak Street Baptist Church, Maryville, has resigned. His last day will be Sept. 15. [Read more…]

LEADERS

Jon Foster recently was ordained as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Tellico Plains.

CHURCHES

Ralston Baptist Church, Martin, will celebrate its 150th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 6. The celebration will include a 9:45 a.m. worship service, a 10:45 a.m. music celebration with the group Living Truth, a 12 p.m. luncheon (food and beverages provided by the church) and a time of celebration and testimonies from special guests afterwards. [Read more…]

CHURCHES

Bethel Baptist Church, Greenfield, will hold revival services Aug. 18-21 at 7 p.m. each night with guest evangelist Joe Shannon.

Madison Avenue Baptist Church, Maryville, will celebrate its 75th anniversary with five special events in September and October. The services and speakers are: Sept. 8 at 10:30 a.m.: Greg Howard; Sept. 15 at 10:30 a.m.: Josh Glandon; Sept. 22, 10:30 a.m.: Mark Grubb; Sept. 29, 10:30 a.m.: Glen Cummings and dinner on the grounds; Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m.: Randy Davis. [Read more…]