Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
November 17, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist and ReflectorNEWPORT — Riverview Baptist Church, located on the bank of the Pigeon River in Newport, sustained major damage due to flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in late September. The church appears to actually be sitting in the river in an ariel photograph. The church had extensive damage in the basement […]
November 17, 2024
As with any institution that has been around for over 200 years, there have bound to be changes and transformations that shape the landscape of that institution. Union University is no different. One of its most formative changes occurred in the mid-1970s when it moved to its current campus in north Jackson from its landlocked […]
November 16, 2024
Carson-Newman University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 1 for its new West Campus Commons, a twin-building residence life complex which house 524 beds and are coupled by a two-story “Community Connector” featuring a large gathering and gaming space on the first floor, while study space is designated for the second floor. From left are Robert […]
November 15, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorKNOXVILLE — Knoxville native and professional music educator Jill Hobby has a heart to see souls saved along with a deep love for children and music. Twenty-five years ago, while serving as a choral director in Knoxville, she had a desire to see an international citywide choir in the city, […]
November 12, 2024
By Baptist and ReflectorMURFREESBORO — Jay Hardwick, senior pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church, Nashville, was re-elected without opposition for a second term as president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention during the afternoon session of Summit on Nov. 12. Hardwick was nominated by Cliff Marion, pastor of First Baptist Church, Covington, who described Hardwick as […]
November 11, 2024
By Baptist and ReflectorMURFREESBORO — The 150th annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention convened Nov. 11 with 836 registered messengers from 468 churches. “We are excited to be back in the town where it all started,” said TBC president Jay Hardwick, senior pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church, Nashville. The convention exists because of […]
November 11, 2024
By Chris DoyleInternational Mission Board writerMURFREESBORO — An International Mission Board Sending Celebration is a time to support those who are going on the field to share the gospel with a lost world. Such an event allows participants the chance to commemorate those who mentored and discipled them. For many, their mentors are current or […]
November 11, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorMOUNTAIN CITY — Looking for a walker or hospital bed or some other medical equipment and don’t know where to go? Roan Creek Baptist Church would be a good place to start. While a medical equipment ministry may not be typical for most Baptist churches, it definitely fulfills a need […]
November 10, 2024
By David DawsonCommunications specialist, TBMBMURFREESBORO — Summit 2024 opened with celebration, ceremony and send-offs. Gathering at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro for a time of worship and praise on Sunday night, an overflow crowd cheered for, and prayed over, a group of roughly 50 missionaries who were commissioned by the International Mission Board. The […]
November 10, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorMURFREESBORO — Two days before the Tennessee Baptist Convention officially celebrates its 150th anniversary, Tennessee Baptists returned to their roots to share the gospel in Rutherford County. The TBC was established in 1874 at First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board decided to commemorate the milestone by […]
November 8, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorNEWPORT — Randy Runions, senior pastor of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, has always been a supporter of both the Tennessee Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention and a strong believer in cooperative giving. But after going through the devastation left behind in Newport and throughout Cocke County, cooperation “is […]
November 7, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorNEWPORT — Presenting a fall festival for residents of Sevier County has become a tradition at First Baptist Church in Sevierville. The event usually draws between 12,000-13,000 people over four nights, said Craig Mintz, Grow and Go pastor at First Baptist. “We do it up big,” he said. The festival […]