‘REIGN’ ADDRESSES YOUNG ADULT ISSUES, DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF JESUS

May 30, 2019

By Erin Roach
Baptist Press Writer

NASHVILLE — Many teens in the church today tend to view their faith as “a little Jesus in my pocket,” ready to solve their problems, youth ministry expert Richard Ross said.

In response, Ross, a former Tennessee Baptist youth minister, has developed a new study, “Reign: Awakening a Young Generation to King Jesus.”

“Church teenagers do believe Jesus exists and that they belong to Him,” Ross, professor of student ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said in written comments to Baptist Press. “And I would say they love Him in a sentimental sort of way.” [Read more…]

‘GAMING’ LEADS TO GOSPEL

May 16, 2019

Pastor uses online video games for evangelism

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

SPRING HILL — Relationship experts often say that the ability to “speak someone’s language” is a crucial component in making a connection.

Jason Davis, pastor at Grace Park Baptist Church, Spring Hill, is using that philosophy in a unique way. He is forming relations and building bonds — and even evangelizing — through his knowledge of, and interest in, video games. [Read more…]

WHY SHOULD WE SEND OUR STUDENTS TO CAMP?

May 3, 2019

By Jay Barbier,
Evangelism Event Specialist, TBMB

Have you ever thought about this question: Should a church or even a parent send their student to camp? The answer is yes! The bigger question is why? Why should a person go to camp?

The answer: Camp changes everything. I wholeheartedly believe in the benefit of camp! Camp experiences change lives. I’m talking about camps that focus on Jesus; this changes the what and the why. Jesus-focused camps help develop students for the rest of their lives.

Let’s break this down into three main issues: foundation of faith, fellowship and community, and accountability. These, I believe, are the key factors that set camp apart. [Read more…]

CONNECTION CHALLENGES GIRLS TO PURSUE CHRIST

April 16, 2019

By Juliana Wilson
TN WMU Communications/Childhood Missions Specialist

Attendees participate in an activity during last week’s event.

GATLINBURG — Connection 2019, a missions event for girls in grades 7 through 12, took place April 5-7 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in conjunction with Get-Together.

The group of 294 girls and leaders focused on the event theme “Unshakable Pursuit” which was based on the key Scripture from 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Through worship, breakout sessions, missionary testimonies and hands-on experiences, the young women were challenged to pursue the God who pursues them and seek Christ in their life even when things do not go according to plan. [Read more…]

TOGETHER TIME

April 16, 2019

WMU event features fellowship, worship, wisdom

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

WMU attendees bow for a time of prayer during this year’s Get-Together and Connection. –Photos by James Wilson, Baptist and Reflector

GATLINBURG — Many tourists travel to Gatlinburg with hopes of relaxing and rejuvenating. But for those who attend WMU’s Get-Together and Connection, the goal is much deeper: To become re-energized spiritually.

The three-day event, which was held April 5-7 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, featured the theme “Unshakable Pursuit,” and presented attendees with ideas and plans on how to be strong in the Lord, even amid the turmoil and challenges that life so often presents. [Read more…]

PRAISE AND PROFESSIONS

March 19, 2019

Youth Evangelism Conference Leads to 780 Salvations

The 2019 Youth Evangelism Conference holds its opening session on the night of March 15 inside Municipal Auditorium in downtown Nashville. The event, which has been held for 51 years, drew roughly 6,000 attendees during the two-day conference.
— Photos by Royce DeGrie

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

NASHVILLE — When the lights dimmed, the excitement level spiked inside Municipal Auditorium in downtown Nashville. After weeks of anticipation, the big moment had arrived. [Read more…]

PRACTICAL STEPS CAN LEAD TO IMPROVED PROTECTION

February 20, 2019

EDITOR’S NOTE: In the latest Radio B&R podcast, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board administrative director William Maxwell and childhood ministry specialist Vicki Hulsey addressed the crucial steps that churches need to take in order to ensure the safety and protection of children. The podcast can be found here.

Baptist and Reflector

FRANKLIN — Churches must do all they can to protect minors and others from sexual abuse, said two experts from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, who noted some practical steps churches can take immediately that will deter prospective predators.

The comments were made during a recent Radio B&R podcast titled, “Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse” (available here). During the podcast, TBMB administrative director William Maxwell and childhood ministry specialist Vicki Hulsey, discuss a TBMB document titled, “12 Things Churches Can Do to Protect Children.” [Read more…]

BCMs PROVIDE STUDENTS OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH, SUPPORT

January 24, 2019

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

Morgan Owen

MARTIN — A college campus can be a frightening place for a first-time student.

Baptist Collegiate Ministry organizations can play a major role in helping incoming high school students adjust to college life, said Morgan Owen, BCM director at the University of Tennessee in Martin.

While some high school grads enter college with friends from hometown or church, many do not, Owen noted. BCMs provide incoming freshmen opportunities “to connect” with like-minded students, he said.

At UT-Martin, the BCM offers Survival, a four-day event for incoming students, freshmen and transfers.

The objective for Survival is to cultivate a faith-based community setting for incoming students as they make the adjustments to college, Owen said. [Read more…]

MOVEMENT & MILESTONES

January 8, 2019

Five Objectives progress, anniversaries top news of 2018

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

FRANKLIN — Statistics indicating that the convention-adopted Five Objectives are having an impact in Tennessee, along with significant anniversaries of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board ministries, were among the top stories in the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 2018.

In addition, two TBC entities underwent changes in leadership in 2018.-

Baptisms in 2017 increased by slightly more than 2 percent over the previous year, according to the 2017 Annual Church Profile. Baptism numbers for 2018 are still being collected from ACP reports. [Read more…]

CHRISTMAS BACKPACKS IMPACT TN FAMILIES

December 20, 2018

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

Terry Robinson, left, and Tom Nelson of Roan Creek Baptist Church prepare to take a load of backpacks to a local school.

FRANKLIN — Children living in the Appalachian area of Tennessee have been beneficiaries of the Christmas Backpack Ministry for several years, most of which have been donated from outside the state itself.

The Christmas Backpack Ministry has evolved over the years since 2001 when some Girls in Action (GAs) in Georgia decided they wanted to do something special for children living in the Appalachian region of the United States. [Read more…]

Pastor uses online video games for evangelism

WMU event features fellowship, worship, wisdom

Youth Evangelism Conference Leads to 780 Salvations

Five Objectives progress, anniversaries top news of 2018

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