Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
September 23, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistELIZABETHTON — Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene devastated East Tennessee communities, West Tennessee churches continue making the hours-long journey across the state to help rebuild homes and lives through sustained disaster relief efforts. From building tiny homes to installing siding, to delivering appliances and praying with homeowners, volunteers from multiple counties […]
September 23, 2025
By Lonnie WilkeyContributing writer, Baptist and ReflectorDenton Baptist Church undergoes amazing restoration COSBY — “Miracle” is the word Mike Hensley, director of missions for East Tennessee Baptist Association, uses to describe what has happened at Denton Baptist Church in Cosby since Hurricane Helene devastated the county last September. Church deacon Ronnie Chambers goes a step […]
September 23, 2025
By David DawsonManaging editor, Baptist and ReflectorTBDR coordinator, Johnson City JOHNSON CITY — Having served with Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief for almost a decade, Tina Golden has “been around the block” more than a few times. But even with her years of experience, Golden said the recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene have been some of […]
September 23, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistEnon Baptist sees miracle after church was destroyed JONESBOROUGH — Like the children being led to the Promised Land, so did Enon Baptist Church see themselves after the flood waters of Hurricane Helene subsided. Enon Baptist Church weathered the storm, even though their building did not. Less than a week after the […]
September 23, 2025
By Katie Linsky ShawContributing writer, Baptist and ReflectorVolunteers unite to rebuild after Hurricane Helene JONESBOROUGH — When you first hear the name “Skeeter,” you might picture someone spirited and full of life — and 72-year-old Skeeter Lewis is exactly that. Even after losing her home, car, and belongings in last year’s Hurricane Helene flooding, Skeeter’s energy […]
September 23, 2025
By Katie Linsky ShawContributing writer, Baptist and ReflectorJONESBOROUGH — Larry Stinson volunteered for disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Deep South in 2005. He never imagined that 20 years later, he’d be responding to another hurricane in his own backyard of East Tennessee. Stinson, 79, started with Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) in 2003 […]
September 23, 2025
By David DawsonManaging editor, Baptist and ReflectorKitchen director, Grace Baptist Church JOHNSON CITY — Keith Davenport is an avid golfer. He plays several times a week, often arriving at the first tee box before most people have had breakfast. Last fall, Davenport found himself setting his alarm clock even earlier than usual. And the early […]
September 23, 2025
By David DawsonManaging editor, Baptist and ReflectorFBC Greeneville partners with churches to reach big goals in short time GREENEVILLE — David Green was planning to be out of town on the final weekend of September last year. Green, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church, Greeneville, had two weddings on his schedule. Those plans, however, […]
September 23, 2025
September 23, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistRIENZI, Miss. — When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina and east Tennessee last fall, Brandon Moore felt called to help. The Rienzi farmer and trucking company owner didn’t know his small Mississippi community would rally to donate more than $100,000 worth of supplies. “I saw it was devastating. So I started […]
September 23, 2025
By Chris TurnerEditor, Baptist and ReflectorELIZABETHTON — David Baines walked 50 yards from his home to Grace Baptist Church, driven by curiosity that changed his life. Baines, a retired construction worker, faced a challenge after Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters devastated Elizabethton and surrounding areas. Unable to assist due to selling his equipment, he noticed skid steers […]
September 23, 2025
By David DawsonManaging editor, Baptist and ReflectorGod’s Warehouse responds to storm ‘in its backyard’ MORRISTOWN — Don Owen’s ministry work with Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief has sent him all over the map. Last fall, however, the disaster came to him. When Hurricane Helene tore through sections of the South last September, it ravaged large regions […]