Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
July 27, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org FRANKLIN — In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, Tennessee Baptist Convention churches are practicing good stewardship as they continue to give generously through the Cooperative Program, the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions and other mission offerings. That’s the observation of Matt Tullos, special assistant to the […]
July 23, 2020
Baptist and Reflector JACKSON — Union University, a Christian educational institution affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, is receiving both criticism and support for holding true to its Christian convictions and values. The Jackson Sun and other media outlets reported July 23 that Union had rescinded an admissions offer to a graduate-level nursing student after learning […]
July 23, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey lwilkey@tnbaptist.org FRANKLIN — “Flexible” has always been the watchword for mission volunteers no matter whether they were preparing for an international trip, a trip to another state or a mission project just down the road. In a world turned upside down by the COVID-19 virus, the ability to be flexible and to […]
July 22, 2020
Baptist Press CORDOVA — Parents of a teenage girl who was sexually abused by a former part-time employee of Bellevue Baptist Church are suing the church. The suit alleges negligence in allowing James Hook “complete discretion and freedom to have personal and private encounters with volunteers and minors.” Hook, who was employed on Sunday mornings […]
July 22, 2020
Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Mission Board leaders are continuing to plan for The Summit to be held Nov. 8-11 at Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood. The Summit is the annual gathering of Tennessee Baptists and includes the Pastors Conference, the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and everything in between. “We’re excited […]
July 21, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org COLLIERVILLE — As the world stands divided over where facemasks should be worn to help prevent the coronavirus, it’s not an issue for Mark LaGrone. It’s not even up to debate for the 60-year-old LaGrone, who serves as the discipleship/assimilation pastor at First Baptist Church, Collierville. LaGrone’s […]
July 17, 2020
By Sarah Goff Union University news office JACKSON — Though Union’s Global Opportunities Trips this spring were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one team was able to conduct its trip to Southeast Asia “virtually” May 25-29. The original plan was for the GO Trip team to travel to Southeast Asia May 18-29 to work […]
July 16, 2020
By Ashley Perham Baptist & Reflector OLD HICKORY — Ashley Lee’s family lost their Mt. Juliet house in the devastating March 3 tornado. Then, about 10 days later, the full weight of the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Since then, Lee said, life stopped being okay. Yet even in this “not okay” time, Lee, VBS director at […]
July 16, 2020
By David Dawson ddawson@tnbaptist.org MEMPHIS — Although the COVID-19 pandemic has created a large number of obstacles for Vacation Bible School leaders, the upside has been that this summer’s unusual circumstances have enabled many churches to connect with children that they might not have otherwise been able to reach. At Union Avenue Baptist Church, Memphis, […]
July 15, 2020
NASHVILLE (BP) — Tennessee enacted a law Monday (July 13) that provides some of the country’s strongest protections for unborn children, but it remained in effect less than an hour — at least for now. Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation that prohibits an abortion when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as […]
July 15, 2020
By Ashley Perham Baptist & Reflector WATERTOWN — Since 2003, Diane Turpen had served in children’s ministry at Round Lick Baptist Church, Watertown. She worked in Royal Ambassadors and Girls in Action, served as the Vacation Bible School director for 13 years, and went on stateside and foreign mission trips to help with VBS. When […]
July 14, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org CLARKSVILLE — That distant rumble that is being heard in some areas of the state is not always thunder followed by lightning. It just might be a group of Tennessee Baptist F.A.I.T.H. Riders (FR), followed by prayer. F.A.I.T.H. Riders is a national motorcycle ministry that is passionate […]