JOHNSON CITY — Let the celebration begin, Tennessee Baptists!
Propelled by a combination of energy, nostalgia and gratitude, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board is kicking off the “2024 Celebration Tour” — commemorating and saluting the 150th anniversary of the Tennessee Baptist Convention — with a stop-over in one of the most tradition-steeped locations in the state: Sinking Creek Baptist Church.
The church, established in 1772 and recognized as the oldest church in Tennessee, is the host site for a celebration program entitled “Humble Beginnings.” The program will be streamed on May 21, and will feature bluegrass music, Scripture reading and a deep-dive into the history of Sinking Creek Baptist Church and the TBC as a whole.
“I certainly believe this is a fitting tribute in celebrating 150 years of our convention,” said Chris Turner, director of communications for the TBMB. “The first band of settlers were rich in faith, and they were the seeds God planted to what has now grown to be more than 3,000 Tennessee Baptist churches across our state. God honored their faithfulness and we are the beneficiaries of their legacy.”
The “Humble Beginnings” program is the first of five stops on the Celebration Tour, which will take place at various sites in the coming months. The “tour” will culminate with an in-person gathering on Nov. 9 in Murfreesboro as part of this year’s Summit, the annual gathering of Tennessee Baptists.
The original log church of Sinking Creek Baptist Church still stands on the church’s property.
The “Humble Beginnings” program at Sinking Creek will feature bluegrass music from the Burnett Sisters Band, along with a special word of welcome from Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB. The focus of the program is: “Experiencing the TBC’s heritage.”
The night will also include acapella music from the Sinking Creek Baptist Church choir, along with an interview with Sinking Creek church member Eddie Fields, who authored the book The Tip of the Sword, which tracks the history of the church and the Watauga River Settlement.
The Humble Beginnings program will also include an interview with Sinking Creek pastor Chuck Babb, in addition to several video presentations.
Turner said he believes Tennessee Baptists will find the program to be entertaining and informative. He said he, too, has learned a lot over the past few weeks while preparing for the program and making numerous trips to Sinking Creek.
“Creating this production in literally the oldest church building in Tennessee was an amazing experience,” he said. “The building recently had some renovations done and it is beautiful. It was interesting to think what those first church members from 1783 would think about their church still standing and for it to be celebrated through the use of a variety of technology they could never have imagined.”
Upcoming dates on the Celebration Tour include:
June 25 — Jackson (Host site: Union University) Program title: Cooperating Together. Focus: Hearing how God has moved in Tennessee.
July 30 — Memphis Program title: Celebrating our Stories. Focus: See the many shapes, colors and sizes that contribute to TBC.
Aug. 13 — Knoxville (Host site: The University of Tennessee) Program title: Tennesseans on a Mission. Focus: Feeling the passion for sharing the gospel.
Oct. 1 — Chattanooga Program title: Together as One. Focus: Connecting with unity found in Christ.
Nov. 9 — Murfreesboro Program title: TBC Loves Murfreesboro. Focus: Gathering to minister and share the gospel. B&R
