Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
February 14, 2026
By Baptist and ReflectorSAVANNAH, Tenn. — Jerry Spencer, a Southern Baptist evangelist with deep Tennessee ties, who preached to millions across more than 50 countries and served in key denominational leadership roles for decades, died Feb. 14, 2026, in Savannah, Tenn. He was 86. Spencer led more than 1,500 revival meetings and 100 area-wide crusades […]
February 13, 2026
By Adam DooleyPastor • Englewood Baptist Church • JacksonAfter closing our doors for two Sundays due to inclement weather, churches across our community met again this past weekend for what I am sure were powerful gatherings. With so much discouraging news in our world recently, it seems to me that people are hungry for a […]
February 12, 2026
B&R staff reportNASHVILLE —State Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hixson, introduced legislation with the intent to strengthen state protections for places of religious worship, ensuring congregations across Tennessee can gather and practice their faith free from intentional obstruction, disruption or intimidation. House Bill 2264 creates a specific state offense for deliberately interfering with lawful religious services and […]
February 11, 2026
By David DawsonManaging editor, Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — Although most of the snow and ice from Winter Storm Fern has now melted, the recovery efforts by Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) teams and volunteers are still going full speed. Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said TBDR crisis cleanup currently has […]
February 10, 2026
Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches contributed $3,187,048 through the Cooperative Program in December. For the year-to-date, Tennessee Baptists have given $5,481,905. The amount is $113,917 or 2% below what was given during the same time frame last year. The amount is $168,695 or 3% behind budget needs after the first two months […]
February 9, 2026
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications SpecialistWMU opens doors for missions, ministry NASHVILLE — Sara Richter has a heart for missions, but for years, she struggled to find opportunities to serve. After moving to the Nashville area four years ago from Seattle, Washington, Richter began attending Cedar Grove Baptist Church. There, she discovered Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union’s annual […]
February 6, 2026
By David DawsonManaging editor, Baptist and ReflectorPastor’s difficult decision ultimately leads to church growth MIDDLETON — Rusty Keltner, pastor of Porters Creek Baptist Church, wasn’t the least bit angry or disappointed when the church’s board of directors voted to decrease his pay. After all, Keltner was the one who suggested it. The bold and unusual […]
February 5, 2026
Baptist and ReflectorJACKSON — Kevin Ward, director of missions for the Madison-Chester Crockett Association of Baptists, issued a call to Baptist churches to work together with the City of Jackson to provide warming shelters for our homeless population in response to Winter Storm Fern and other severe weather conditions. Between 300 and 1,000 people are […]
February 4, 2026
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistChurch opens shelter during dangerous temps SHELBYVILLE — When temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below, exposure becomes life-threatening. Without proper layering and access to warmth for at least 20 minutes every two hours, hypothermia can kill. So, after Shelbyville’s only warming shelter closed three years ago, John Hall felt called to […]
January 30, 2026
By Scott BarkleyBaptist PressROCKY TOP, Tenn. (BP) – If there’s any place in the country one should be able to find a volunteer, it’s Main Street Baptist Church in Rocky Top, Tenn., just north of Knoxville. Wayne Phillips needed one on Sunday, March 15, 2020. He was preaching for the first time without an audience […]
January 29, 2026
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistNote: This story has been updated. FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) deployed half a dozen teams across Middle and West Tennessee to assist residents affected by the severe ice storm that left thousands without power and caused widespread damage. Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, […]
January 29, 2026
By Diana ChandlerBaptist PressFRANKLIN, Tenn. (BP) — MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard had been depressed a dozen years or so by 2017. In the studio with fellow musician Tim Timmons, Millard just lost it. “I just snapped and had one of those days when it just all came out,” Millard told Baptist Press. “I was […]