Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
January 5, 2026
By Kirk KirklandLifeway WorshipNASHVILLE — Ecclesiastes chapter 3 says, “There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear […]
December 29, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorTULLAHOMA — Grace Baptist Church, Tullahoma, hosted Lottie’s Lights Christmas Dinner on Dec. 7. During the event, a line of Christmas trees was on display, each one decorated by a Sunday School class. (A total of 17 classes participated). Attendees at the event voted for the tree that they liked best by placing […]
December 24, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorNASHVILLE — William “Bill” Choate, a longtime leader of Baptist Collegiate Ministry in Tennessee whose influence shaped generations of college students, died Dec. 19 at age 67. Choate served Tennessee Baptists through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board for 42 years. His ministry included roles as associate campus minister at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville […]
December 24, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorThe staff of the Baptist and Reflector would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our hope is that all of you will enjoy a wonderful holiday season while gathering with friends and family to celebrate the birth of our […]
December 22, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptists are preparing for a year focused on prayer in 2026, with weekly prompts centered on three key areas: praying for those without Christ, praying for the church, and praying for pastors. The “Prayer Matters” weekly resource will feature these three prayer categories throughout the year, along with additional prompts […]
December 19, 2025
By Matt TullosFor the Baptist and ReflectorGERMANTOWN — Generosity isn’t primarily about tax strategies. Remember the Cookie Lady? Her faithful giving — rooted in simple obedience and joy — reminds us that God calls us to be wise stewards, and that includes making informed decisions about how we give. So let’s talk about some changes […]
December 19, 2025
By Matt TullosFor the Baptist and ReflectorGERMANTOWN — Everyone knew the cookies were always fresh. Jeanne Waller Campbell baked well into her 10th decade, hands still steady with the rolling pin, and her heart still bent toward service. Residents and staff at the Village at Germantown counted on her for homemade treats and a warm […]
December 18, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board launched a new website (TNBaptist.org) Dec. 15. The site is the sixth version of the organization’s internet site since first establishing a web presence in 1998. “It’s taken a lot of work to get to this point, and we are excited about the release of this […]
December 18, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistEast Tenn. pastor returns to Africa to strengthen growing churches MORRISTOWN — Doug Brown stood on the slopes of Mount Kenya in the cold rain, praying for the 50 students he had traveled 8,000 miles to teach. The 66-year-old pastor of Witt Baptist Church had hiked the mountain — once considered sacred […]
December 17, 2025
By Lonnie WilkeyContributing writer, Baptist and ReflectorFBC Sevierville celebrates 40 years of ‘Christmas Store’ SEVIERVILLE — The Christmas Store, a ministry of First Baptist Church, Sevierville, celebrated 40 years of helping Sevier County residents in need during its annual event Dec. 12-13 at the church. The ministry began as a project of the church’s Brotherhood […]
December 16, 2025
By Zoë Watkins and David Dawson Baptist and ReflectorSTANTON — Although the Ford Motor Co. ended production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning this month as part of a broader shift away from large electric vehicles, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board isn’t backing away from its evangelism efforts in BlueOval City. “We are just going to keep […]
December 15, 2025
By Adam DooleyPastor • Englewood Baptist Church • JacksonMost have heard the ancient proverb, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Some trace the pithy premise back to Aesop’s fable of a fox that lived in such proximity to a lion that he was terribly afraid. Over time, though, the interaction between the animals became more casual. Soon, the […]