Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
January 4, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — The year 2014 proved to be historic for the Tennessee Baptist Convention. For the first time in its 140-year history, messengers to The Summit in November elected an African-American as president. Michael Ellis, pastor of Impact Baptist Church in Memphis, was elected president without any opposition.
January 4, 2015
By Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD, Tenn.— The Tennessee Baptist Convention has named a former employee and veteran of numerous disaster relief efforts to lead the state’s disaster relief initiative on an interim basis. Mike Overcash began his duties as the TBC’s interim disaster relief director Jan. 5, succeeding David Acres who retired from the position […]
December 22, 2014
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Vern Blanchard Powers, a longtime leader in the Tennessee Baptist Convention, died Dec. 19 at the age of 94 at his home in Old Hickory. Though born in Evansville, Ind., Powers spent most of his life in Tennessee. His dad, Blanchard Powers, also was a longtime […]
December 17, 2014
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector CLARKSVILLE — Over the years Pastor Jimmy Terry of Tabernacle Baptist Church here has witnessed what he perceives as a de-emphasis on Christmas by Christians. Christians have abandoned Christmas (and Easter), Terry observed. “We have given it over to the secular world.” For the past four years or […]
December 16, 2014
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Editor’s Note: Tennessee Baptist churches are collecting money this month for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Mike and Heather McAfee are missionaries with strong Tennessee ties. They were featured missionaries in the recent Week of Prayer for International Missions. They also participated in the Missions […]
December 5, 2014
By Baptist and Reflector (UPDATED 12-9-14) HENDERSONVILLE – Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, based in Alpharetta, Ga., has been named interim pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church. The announcement was posted Dec. 4 on Long Hollow Baptist’s website. Ezell fills the void created by the death of David Landrith who served […]
December 4, 2014
By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Worship leaders of churches should adopt a more active role in assisting their congregations to worship in a way which can help them mature as Christians, said Keith Getty, Christian music artist and composer, at The Summit of the Tennessee Baptist Convention Nov. 11. […]
December 3, 2014
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Editor’s Note: See an article on Ellis and the ministry of Impact Baptist Church in the Frayser community of Memphis. MEMPHIS — The new president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention downplays the fact that he is the convention’s first African-American president. “Being selected president is not about Michael […]
December 3, 2014
By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector SHELBYVILLE — “I knew God would provide and we would get along but I really didn’t imagine this thing would explode,” said Joe Thompson. What “exploded” during 2014 at Southside Baptist Church is phenomenal. Though the church only draws about 130 people to Sunday morning activities, […]
December 3, 2014
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector MEMPHIS — In 2006, Impact Baptist Church began as a church plant of Bellevue Baptist Church in nearby Cordova in the living room of its first pastor, Michael Ellis and his wife, Angela. The church began with 22 people and now averages between 175-200 people on any given […]
November 18, 2014
TBC elects first African-American president; strides made toward 50/50 CP distribution By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — By unanimous consent, messengers to the 140th annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention elected the first African-American president in convention history during the Nov. 11-12 meeting held at Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood.
November 18, 2014
By Baptist and Reflector HENDERSONVILLE – David Landrith, 51, pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church, Hendersonville, died Nov. 18 at his home following an extended bout with cancer. Landrith was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called colorectal melanoma in March of 2013, according to a statement released by Long Hollow Baptist Church. Despite […]