Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
August 15, 2015
By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector STANTONVILLE — When Pastor James Stophel joined four other pastors and the director of missions of Shiloh Baptist Association recently to hear a Tennessee Baptist Convention staff member, he didn’t hesitate to ask how a small, rural Baptist church could respond. Stophel said he was glad […]
August 14, 2015
By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector MURFREESBORO — Pastor Jorge Arenivas knocked on the door of an apartment. A young man answered and, happy to hear Spanish spoken by the visitor, let Arenivas in. Arenivas met two other young men living there. About 10 minutes later all three of the young men […]
August 14, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — Ben Mandrell readily admits it was a difficult transition for his family to leave Jackson and head to the vast mission field of Denver. Mandrell resigned as pastor of Englewood Baptist Church about two years ago after being called as a church planter. Mandrell and his […]
August 13, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector DELANO — On Sunday, Aug. 2, Delano Baptist Church here did something it has never done before. “We stepped outside the box,” acknowledged Pastor John Powers. In conjunction with Challenge Golf Association, the church sponsored “The Invitational,” a golf outing on Sunday at nearby Ridgewood Golf Course that […]
August 13, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector SAVANNAH — “Coach” or “Bro. Derek.” It really doesn’t matter to Derek Westmoreland. He is used to both and will answer to either one. Westmoreland, pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church here, also coaches Dixie Boys Baseball and from Aug. 7-13 will be leading the Savannah 9-10-year-old baseball team […]
August 11, 2015
By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC MEMPHIS — Eric Watkins can stand at the entrance to the Warren Apartments and see the worst Memphis has to offer. That vacant lot over there, that’s where an occasional dead body gets dropped. Those gangbangers sitting on the porch smoking dope, they’re probably packing more firepower than […]
August 11, 2015
By Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — The staff of the Baptist and Reflector and the Communications Team of the Tennessee Baptist Convention welcomes those who may be reading the Baptist and Reflector for the first time. Thousands of papers were distributed to churches across the Tennessee Baptist Convention in observance of Baptist and Reflector Day […]
August 7, 2015
By Chris Turner and Lonnie Wilkey TBC BRENTWOOD — The Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention unanimously approved a recommendation March 25 to purchase property in Williamson County, effectively taking a historic step forward in establishing a permanent address for the 140-year-old convention. The action clears the way for the Executive Board to move […]
August 5, 2015
By Joe Conway Baptist Press NASHVILLE — A sold-out crowd of more than 13,500 from all 50 states and four Canadian provinces flooded into Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to celebrate the call of Jesus and the response of life on mission at the 2015 Send North America Conference Monday, Aug. 3. North American Mission Board President […]
July 28, 2015
By Baptist and Reflector CHATTANOOGA — On June 27 the church rectory of Northside Community Church here was damaged by fire. The rectory was home to Mitchell Reaves, pastor, and five members of his family. The building, which formerly was an educational building and wasn’t needed for church activities, was insured. Repairs have been estimated […]
July 28, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Editor’s Note: See opinion columns in the next several days on the topic of physician assisted suicide or death with dignity. NASHVILLE — The issue of physician assisted suicide (PAS) or death with dignity has surfaced in Tennessee. Earlier this year a bill which would have allowed doctors […]
July 23, 2015
By Chris Turner Director of communications, TBC BRENTWOOD, Tenn.— The Executive Board Ministry Staff of the Tennessee Baptist Convention has named a long-time disaster relief and ministry veteran to lead its state disaster relief effort. The appointment culminates a nearly one-year national search process. Wesley A. Jones, a former state disaster relief leader in Iowa […]