Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
December 6, 2024
By Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches have reached a monumental milestone during the convention’s 150th anniversary year. When Cooperative Program gifts were counted at Tennessee Baptist Mission Board offices on Dec. 6, the final tally pushed the total Cooperative Program gifts since the CP was established in 1925 in Memphis to more […]
December 6, 2024
By Baptist and ReflectorHUMBOLDT — A book written by Tennessee Baptist Becky Drace to give hope for people who have experienced crises in their lives will be released nationally on Dec. 10. Drace is the wife of longtime Tennessee Baptist evangelist and pastor Jerry Drace. The book is entitled The Bright Side of Blue: Finding […]
December 6, 2024
By David DawsonCommunications specialist, TBMBMURFREESBORO — For more than a year, Danny Sinquefield has been beating the drum for the BlueOval City Initiative. At the 2024 Summit, Sinquefield was joined by some other “percussionists.” Taking the stage for a panel discussion during the Tuesday afternoon session of this year’s annual meeting, Sinquefield, the coordinator of […]
December 5, 2024
By Ann Lovell Baptist and Reflector correspondent ATOKA — The officials of Atoka and the congregation of Gateway Baptist Church have a message for pregnant women who find themselves in desperate situations: We care about you. Atoka mayor Barry Akin and the board of aldermen recently partnered with Gateway Baptist Church to place a Safe […]
December 4, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist and ReflectorNEWPORT — Zan Taylor, a layman and director of maintenance at West End Baptist Church in Newport, simply obeyed when he felt the Lord calling him to raise funds for flood victims from Hurricane Helene. An avid bowler, Taylor said he sensed that God wanted him to organize a Bowl-a-Thon […]
December 4, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist and ReflectorGREENEVILLE — Six families in Greene County whose homes were heavily damaged and their lives were disrupted by Hurricane Helene were back in their homes on Thanksgiving Day or shortly thereafter. First Baptist Church, Greeneville, in conjunction with Aidnet of Greene County, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Grace Baptist Church, […]
December 3, 2024
By Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — Mike Dawson and Troy Rust are writing Sunday School commentaries for the Dec.-Feb. quarter. Dawson is writing the Bible Studies for Life series while Rust is writing the Explore the Bible lessons. Dawson is pastor emeritus at First Baptist Church, Columbia, and has served as transitional interim pastor at numerous […]
December 3, 2024
By Laura ErlansonBaptist PressWASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti Wednesday, Dec. 4. The case, which pits the Biden administration’s Justice Department against the State of Tennessee and its attorney general, Jonathan Skrmetti, will determine whether states are allowed to outlaw so-called gender transition treatments for minors. […]
December 3, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches provided a record 7,540 Christmas Backpacks this year, surpassing the ministry’s goal of 7,000 backpacks. With a lot of people still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene in northeast Tennessee, the extra backpacks are needed, affirmed Beth Moore, compassion ministry specialist for the […]
November 27, 2024
The staff at the Baptist and Reflector would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a very happy Thanksgiving! Our hope is that all of you will take a few moments today to spend some time giving thanks to the Lord for the blessings in your life. Family, friends and food will […]
November 26, 2024
By Carson-Newman news officeMURFREESBORO — Carson-Newman University presented the 2024 Ken Sparks Award to Steve Gaines. The Nov. 12 presentation came during C-N’s Alumni and Friends Dinner held at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Murfreesboro. Named for long-time Carson-Newman football coach Ken Sparks, the award recognizes pastors or lay people within […]
November 25, 2024
By Chris TurnerCommunications specialist, TBMBFRANKLIN — Urgency was the theme Thursday when the Arise and Build Task Group met via Zoom to discuss the rebuilding phase of the Hurricane Helene recovery effort across East Tennessee. “Winter is upon us,” Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, told the group […]