Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
September 23, 2025
By Katie Linksy Shaw Contributing writer, B&RTennessee Baptist Disaster Relief Coordinators ELIZABETHTON — For Kaye and John Thomas, Hurricane Helene wasn’t just another disaster. Instead, it became their most demanding mission in nearly 30 years with Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR). “It’s taken some creative minds,” Kaye explains, describing their role, from overseeing massive repair […]
September 22, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorHOT SPRINGS, N.C. — When ministry wives traded their familiar routines for hiking boots and backpacks, they discovered more than mountain vistas along the Appalachian Trail. Off the Grid, a ministry within the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, is designed to push ministers and their families beyond comfort zones while providing respite. The program […]
September 11, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistHUMBOLDT —A small Baptist church on the brink of closure experienced a remarkable turnaround after forming an unexpected partnership with a men’s recovery facility. Fruitland Baptist Church was facing the same fate as many rural congregations across the South. With attendance dwindling to mostly members in their 60s, 70s and 80s, church […]
September 10, 2025
By David DawsonManaging editor, Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — At a time when Tennessee Baptist Mission Board leadership is emphasizing prayer and collaboration, the organization’s board of directors displayed both of those elements at their fall meeting. Board members unanimously approved each item on the agenda, including a $35 million budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 and […]
September 10, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialist, TBMBNASHVILLE — Gov. Bill Lee called on faith communities, nonprofits, philanthropists alike to help address Tennessee’s most pressing social challenges during a Faith and Community Summit on Aug. 26 at Nashville First Baptist Church. The event, part of Lee’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative, brought together government officials, nonprofit leaders and faith-based […]
September 3, 2025
Carson-Newman news officeC-N football team sees 18 new believers baptized in Mossy Creek JEFFERSON CITY — Members of the Carson-Newman University campus community gathered on the banks of Mossy Creek after 18 Eagles football players made decisions to be baptized in the historic waters. Officiating the Aug. 20 event was Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ (FCA) […]
September 3, 2025
By Tim EllsworthUnion University news officeJACKSON — Union University Press has published a new book, an exposition of Philippians, containing sermons preached in select chapel services during the spring semester of 2024. Edited by Ray Van Neste and Justin Wainscott, “United in Jesus, United in Joy: Sermons on Philippians,” includes sermons from Brian Arnold, Andy […]
September 2, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptists have officially surpassed their $2.7 million goal for this year’s Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions, raising $2,731,089.91 by Friday, Aug. 29. The total represents a significant increase from previous years. The 2023-24 campaign raised $2,448,557, while 2022-23 brought in $2,240,421. Including Golden Opportunity projects, which contributed an additional $157,093.49 […]
September 2, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistKINGSPORT — Baptist churches across Upper East Tennessee will gather on Sept. 14 for a special rally aimed at reigniting passion for evangelism and prayer. The “Who’s Your One?” Rally, scheduled for 6 p.m. at Sullivan Baptist Church in Kingsport, incorporates elements from Project 2026, a national prayer and evangelism initiative. John […]
September 1, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board is accepting applications for financial grants to help Baptist families adopt children through the Amy Hood Adoption Endowment Fund. The fund, established in January 2023, honors Amy Hood, an adoption advocate who died in 2022 at age 57 after helping her family adopt three children internationally. […]
September 1, 2025
By David DawsonManaging editor, Baptist and ReflectorFoster & Adoption event at Broadway Baptist includes stories of families overcoming seemingly impossible circumstances MARYVILLE — Laura West can never be accused of failing to practice what she preaches. West, the founder of Blind Faith Ministries, is a relentless advocate for foster care and adoption, having championed the […]
August 29, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistAnnual event, hosted by New Salem Baptist Association, has new site each night CARTHAGE — For five years the New Salem Baptist Association has been fostering something increasingly rare in today’s world: genuine, face-to-face fellowship among churches. The annual Fellowship Revival held Aug. 3-6 across the Carthage area, brought together multiple congregations […]