Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
August 26, 2015
By Jeff Brumley Associated Baptist Press JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Congregational coaches are warning churches against becoming so fixated on Millennials and other young people that they ignore the surging population of Baby Boomers already in their midst. But those experts say most congregations simply aren’t ready to listen to that advice, especially when reaching out […]
August 25, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BENTON — When you have two positions that basically require a 24/7 commitment, 24 hours in a single day sometimes is not enough. That is what Steve Ross has discovered as he approaches his first anniversary as Sheriff of Polk County. “There are days when I can’t get […]
August 25, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Bobby Welch, associate executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention since May of 2011, will retire Aug. 31. Welch announced his plans to step down during a TBC staff meeting last month. With his 50th wedding anniversary this month (Aug. 21), Welch said he was retiring […]
August 15, 2015
By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector SWEETWATER — As Kenny Witt, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer of Madisonville, drove down a rural road near Sweetwater by homes and property, he saw more trees damaged by the tornado and storms which struck Monroe County July 14. He stopped at a house which had […]
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 […]