ASSOCIATIONS
A team of nine people from the Duck River Baptist Association, based in Tullahoma, and William Carey Baptist Association, based in Fayetteville, served in Taiwan Nov. 25 – Dec. 3. The Tennessee Baptists spoke to 41 classes in two schools and distributed 550 copies of the Gospel of John to students and the Bible to 41 teachers. Team members also distributed 225 New Testaments to tourists from the communist mainland and served in high school where they had spiritual discussions with students, reported Mark Puckett, director of missions, Duck River Association.
Ocoee Outreach of CrossNet Baptist Network (formerly Bradley Baptist Association), based in Cleveland, saw 110 people make professions of faith during the summer of 2016. A total of 1,400 volunteers from 33 churches in 12 states served, leading 74 home repair projects, block parties, programs, day camps, Backyard Bible Clubs, and sports camps.
Nashville Baptist Association, based in Nashville, held its annual Toy Store, drawing 350 families with 965 children. Seven people made professions of faith. Gifts and donations came from 37 churches or organizations and 250 people served as volunteers.
Hamilton County Baptist Association, based in Chattanooga, will offer English as a Second Language Training on Saturday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, contact 423-267-3794 or hcba@baptistassociation.com.
William Carey Baptist Association, based in Fayetteville, will hold an Evangelism Conference on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 5 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Fayetteville. Sammy Gilbreath of the Alabama State Board of Missions will preach.
Lawrence County Baptist Association, based in Leoma, will send a team once again to Houghton Lake, Mich., to serve at a community festival and witness. The team will serve Jan. 19-23 working with a Baptist church in nearby Prudenville. The annual missions effort began during the Tennessee/Michigan Baptist Partnership from 1980-2000. Philip Giles of Macedonia Baptist Church has led the trip since 2004. For more information, contact Donna Wilbanks at 931-852-4700 or office@lawcobaptist.org.
Bledsoe Baptist Association, based in Gallatin, held its annual Toy Store. A total of 299 families with 816 children were invited. Sixteen people made professions of faith and four rededicated their lives, reported Mike Pennington, director of missions.
LEADERS
Charles T. Gresham, retired pastor, Meadow View Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, 2005-2015, has been called as interim director of missions, Lawrence County Baptist Association, based in Leoma. He also is the former DOM of Salem Baptist Association, based in Liberty. He served Salem Association from 1999-2005.
Brandon Carder has been called as associate pastor of youth and discipleship, and Dusty Walker has been named worship leader, Bethel Baptist Church, Greenbrier.
Dewey Keys was called as pastor, Lighthouse Baptist Church, Springfield, effective Dec. 11.
Mike Taber was called as minister of children, Hickory Withe First Baptist Church, Eads, effective Dec. 1.
Willie Greer, deacon at Birds Creek Baptist Church, Paris, for 32 years, celebrated his 90th birthday Jan. 5.
SCHOOLS
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C., reported that the following students with Tennessee ties graduated this fall — Kyle Anson of Culleoka with a master of arts in Christian studies; Sean Allen Lee of Kingston with a doctor of ministry; Gregory Scott Noe of Knoxville with a master of arts in Christian studies; Joshua W. Ogle of Knoxville with a master of divinity with Christian ministry; Allison Nicole Pope of Chattanooga with a bachelor of arts in Christian studies; Lincoln Scott Taylor of Nashville with a doctor of ministry; and Jenna Leigh Ward of Mount Juliet with a master of arts in Christian studies.
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, based in Cordova, has received affirmation of its accreditation through 2026 from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
CHURCHES
Hobson Pike Baptist Church, Hermitage, will hold a Marriage Enrichment Seminar on Saturday, Feb. 4, just prior to Valentine’s Day. Seth Rone, pastor and chaplain, Army National Guard, will lead the seminar. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are needed because of a limit of 25 couples. For more information, contact Rone at 615-476-5652 or pastor@hobsonpikebaptist.org.
First Baptist Church, Somerville, will hold its second Law Enforcement Appreciation Breakfast which also is for first responders on Saturday, Feb. 18. For more information, contact the church at 901-465-3528 or lorraine.mullikin@fbcsomervilletn.com.
City View Baptist Church, Knoxville, will hold revival services Jan. 22-25. Phil Glisson, evangelist of Memphis, will preach.
Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill, will hold a Wild Game Dinner on Friday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m. Andy Peterson of Lion King Ministries which refers to the fact that he survived a lion attack, will speak. For more information, contact the church at 615-696-8240 or cedarhbc@bellsouth.net.
Leoma Baptist Church, Leoma, is sending a missions team to Peru Jan. 13-20.
Members of a Sunday School class of First Baptist Church, Selmer, hold some of the pillowslip dresses they made for Haiti hurricane survivors. The project the class started resulted in 160 dresses for girls and 50 toy cars for boys which were sent to the Florida Baptist Convention for distribution. The effort was featured in a local newspaper after a Facebook posting which resulted in additional help. The ladies plan to begin sewing dresses for an upcoming missions trip to Guatemala by their church. Standing, from left, are Doris Whitaker and Cherryl McNatt; seated, Liz Redmon, Jean Zeugen, and Molly Cherry.
