By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — If actions truly speak louder than words, then Tennessee Baptists are beginning to catch a vision of the importance of the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions to ministry efforts in the state.

But there’s still a long way to go.

In 2013-14, Tennessee Baptist Convention churches contributed $1,532,060 through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions, an increase of 5.41 percent over the prior year (see list of top 10 percent of churches in both total and per capita giving on this page). [Read more…]

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

MANCHESTER — Even as a seminary-trained minister he “didn’t have a plan” as a young parent on how to follow Proverbs 22:6, admitted Brenton Cox, pastor, First Baptist Church here.

“A lot of parents want to teach their child spiritual truths but they may not know what to do,” he noted. “They are trying to be a Christian influence in their child’s life … but they don’t have a systematic plan.” [Read more…]

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

CLIFTON — He’s adventuresome, admitted Randall Runions, pastor, First Baptist Church here. One might agree when learning Runions also is a prison chaplain. But this missions trip really stretched him, he admitted.

He traveled 61 hours one way on the Amazon River and a tributary in Brazil to reach a village of the WiWi (pronounced WeeWee) people. [Read more…]

By Baptist and Reflector

Editor’s Note: The Baptist and Reflector is celebrating its 180th anniversary this year. During this year we will be reprinting articles and editorials from the past. As I have looked over numerous articles it has been amazing to see issues we think pertain only to Baptists today have actually been around for decades upon decades in one form or another. We trust you will enjoy “glimpses of the past.” For the most part, articles are printed verbatim. Let us know what you think by e-mailing [email protected]. [Read more…]

By Carson-Newman News Office

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University has announced it will offer a new associate of arts degree in liberal studies beginning fall of 2015.

The new degree option can offer the financial opportunity for students wishing to take advantage of the state’s new Tennessee Promise initiative.

Tennessee Promise, an initiative of the state government, will provide two years tuition-free education at a community college or technical school in Tennessee.

The program begins in the fall of this year and, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, 90 percent of the state’s high school seniors have applied for the scholarship. [Read more…]

By Baptist and Reflector

DYERSBURG — The annual Jerusalem Project, sponsored by Dyer Baptist Association, saw 50 teenagers make decisions for Christ.

The decisions included both first time professions of faith for Christ and rededications, according to Stan Cavness, Baptist Collegiate Ministry specialist at Dyersburg State Community College. Cavness, who also is pastor of Enon Baptist Church, Halls, serves as youth ministry coordinator for Dyer Baptist Association. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — After a full year under its belt, the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s 1-5-1 Harvest Plants initiative is showing positive results.

“1-5-1 is meeting and exceeding our expectations,” said Bobby Welch, associate executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

Welch and other TBC staff members came up with the concept which encourages churches to establish small groups and/or new churches. [Read more…]

By Baptist and Reflector

The Committee on Boards and Committee on Committees are receiving recommendations from Tennessee Baptists of individuals to serve on Tennessee Baptist Convention boards or committees.

Tennessee Baptists are strongly encouraged to make recommendations of fellow Tennessee Baptists to serve on the Executive Board, one of the seven institutional boards of trust or one of the eight convention committees, all of which carry on the work of the convention between sessions of the convention. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD – The Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes has received a gift of $1 million for its foster care program.

Former NBA franchise owner George Shinn and his wife, Denise, who now live in Franklin, presented the first installment of the gift to TBCH officials Jan. 15 during a special ceremony on the TBCH campus. The gift will be given over several years. [Read more…]

By Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — After a slow start in November, the first month of the 2014-15 fiscal year, Cooperative Program giving rebounded in December.

Tennessee Baptist Convention churches gave a total of $3,325,814 through the Cooperative Program in December.

[Read more…]