Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
December 11, 2015
Baptist and Reflector LINDEN — Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center has been awarded the 2015 Star of Excellence for Outstanding Non-Profit Organization. The award was presented to Tim Bearden, conference centers senior manager for the Tennessee Baptist Convention, on Dec. 3 during an awards banquet sponsored by the Perry County Chamber of Commerce. The conference […]
December 9, 2015
Carson-Newman News Office JEFFERSON CITY — On a recent Saturday, 535 Carson-Newman University volunteers took part in the school’s 10th annual Operation Inasmuch service blitz. Teams were comprised of students, faculty, and staff members. The groups joined to conduct service projects across Jefferson, Knox, and Hamblen counties. “The fact that we have been able to […]
December 9, 2015
By Connie D. Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Mark Anderson, a long-time staff member of Tennessee Baptist Adult Homes, was unanimously elected president by the TBAH board on Dec. 8. He will begin serving Jan. 1. He follows Kenny Cooper who served TBAH in that role for 20 years. Cooper will retire […]
December 8, 2015
Molino Baptist Church is revitalized after former member is revitalized into its pastor By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector TAFT — Church revitalization begins one person at a time, believes Joe Self. In this case, it began with him. The story begins in the 1980s when a rural church near Fayetteville was […]
December 7, 2015
Parents who are ministers, ministers’ wives and children relate their prodigal “journey” By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector Parable of the Lost Son, Luke 15: 11-32. MILLINGTON — A prodigal or child who rebels against the Christian teachings of their parents can bring the strongest Christian to their knees. It is especially […]
December 5, 2015
Baptist Press GREENFIELD, Tenn. (BP) — The men at Bethel Baptist Church reach out to the unchurched men in their community each autumn by showing off their culinary skills at a wild game supper, preparing turkey, deer, raccoon, crappie, catfish, rabbit, duck and other critters. Meanwhile, the congregation’s Women on Mission excel each year at […]
December 4, 2015
Missionaries Ted, Beverly Holmes plan to return to “our home” in Poland By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — Instead of a “Pauline Damascus Road experience,” it was a quiet voice, the nudge toward, “This is the way. Walk in it,” said Ted Holmes of the couple’s decision to stay with […]
December 3, 2015
By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector MILLINGTON — Andy Willis knows something about security. As director of security for Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, he is in charge of the largest Baptist church facility in the state of Tennessee — over one million square feet sitting on 300 acres. He also oversees the […]
December 2, 2015
New TBC president has passion to see churches reach the lost By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector JEFFERSON CITY — In Roc Collins’ new role as president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention his learning curve will be minimal. Since becoming pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church, Kingsport, 10 years ago, Collins has been fully […]
December 1, 2015
By Art Toalston Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) — LifeWay has completed the sale of its 14.5-acre campus in downtown Nashville. “Although this momentous event is cause for thanksgiving, it is also bittersweet,” Thom S. Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, wrote in an email to the Southern Baptist entity’s trustees and employees Nov. 24 after […]
November 27, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector MURFREESBORO — Raouf W. Ghattas, a Tennessee Baptist pastor known for his work in reaching Muslims with the gospel, died Nov. 25 of an apparent heart attack at his home in Murfreesboro. Ghattas, 69, was pastor of Arabic Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, a congregation he helped establish in […]
November 25, 2015
By Tim Ellsworth, Contributing Editor, B&R MILLINGTON — “In ministry, it can be very difficult,” said Kevin Ezell, president, Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, based in Alpharetta, Ga. He preached during the Tennessee Baptist Convention annual meeting held here at First Baptist Church. Ezell speaks from experience. Of the churches he served, he only […]