Wilkey
I became a Tennessee Baptist in 1983 when my wife and I joined Tulip Grove Baptist Church, then a small congregation in Old Hickory. Five years later I became the associate editor of the Baptist and Reflector.
I have seen and reported on Tennessee Baptist history — both good and bad — over the past 36 years. I can honestly say that I have never been more proud to be a Tennessee Baptist that I am today.
When I announced my retirement in May, I never dreamed my last three months would involve covering one of the largest news events in the history of Tennessee — Hurricane Helene.
Technically, it had been downgraded to a tropical storm when it passed through North and South Carolina into the Volunteer State, but tell that to the multitude of people in our state affected by Helene, especially the families and friends of the reported 17 people who died in Tennessee. And, does it really matter whether it was a hurricane or a tropical storm when your house is no longer standing and everything you own is gone?
After the storm passed through in late September, there were plenty of dark days ahead — literally. Some people in northeast Tennessee went several weeks before electricity was restored.
It was during those dark days that the lights of Tennessee Baptists shined the brightest as hundreds upon hundreds of Tennessee Baptists, whether trained Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers or not, did what it took to show the love and compassion of Jesus Christ to their hurting neighbors.
For the past two-plus years I have rented an apartment at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center as I looked toward my eventual retirement. Little did I know then, that has turned out to be an incredible asset, even more so since Helene. I have been near the “front lines” of thousands of manhours of volunteers who have come from all over Tennessee to assist those who are still not in their homes.
I have seen some of my DR “heroes” such as John and Kay Thomas of First Baptist Sevierville; Brock and Kathy Henry of Talbott Baptist Church, Talbott; Karen and Tommy Wilson from West Tennessee and so many more as they helped out in northeast Tennessee. I also have met people serving on their first disaster relief callout. They all share a common goal and desire — to help people in need and to tell them about Jesus Christ.
Jennifer Lewis (front of the line on the right) and other TBDR volunteers form an “assembly line” while making sandwiches at First Baptist Church, Dandridge.
When Helene first hit, people flocked to Tennessee to help. Those who did not come sent food, water and other supplies. All that help was necessary and urgently needed.
But there have been other hurricanes since Helene. Other areas have been devastated and Tennessee hurricane victims are no longer on the minds of a lot of people outside our state. But that is where Tennessee Baptists are at their best.
Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, has long maintained that Tennessee Baptist DR volunteers are among the first to arrive and the last to leave when disaster strikes. That has been so very true since late September. In fact, we just recently ended the initial response phase last week.
That does not mean we are done. Actually, we are just beginning the recovery stage. Tennessee Baptist Mission Board has launched Arise and Build, an effort to help some of the 500 families whose homes were totally destroyed and another 450-plus families whose homes received major damage.
Efforts already have begun in Greene County. Just last week First Baptist Church, Greeneville, spearheaded an effort to get families back in their homes by Thanksgiving Day in conjunction with Aidnet of Greene County, Grace Baptist Church, Springfield, and TBMB. The effort, which was originally set to do five homes in five days, resulted in six homes in less than four days. It was a miracle.
We should not be surprised. God is still in the miracle business and He uses Tennessee Baptists to accomplish His will. That is why I am proud to be a Tennessee Baptist. B&R
