Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
January 7, 2026
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, […]
December 17, 2025
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 […]
December 3, 2025
EVENTS 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 […]
November 19, 2025
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, […]
November 5, 2025
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 […]
October 22, 2025
October 8, 2025
September 10, 2025
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 Robert Keith Parks, a transformative missions leader who opened […]
August 27, 2025
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 […]
August 13, 2025
EDUCATION Janice Williams has been named dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Union University. A two-time Union graduate (Associate of Science in Nursing 1985, Bachelor of Science in Nursing 1987), Williams returns after serving as professor and founding program director at College of the Ozarks’ Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing since […]
July 30, 2025
EDUCATION Union University named Fred Johnson as dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. Johnson comes to Union from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, where he had served as an English professor since 2008. He previously served as an instructor and graduate assistant at Ball State University and as an instructor at Ivy Tech […]
July 16, 2025
EDUCATION Union reduces tuition for adult degree programs Union University news office JACKSON — Union University has lowered tuition for its adult undergraduate programs in the School of Adult and Professional Studies and the Memphis College of Urban and Theological Studies, beginning in the fall 2025 semester. Tuition for Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership […]