Pastor David Green, right, of First Baptist Church, Greenevllle, visits with one of the families whose homes were rebuilt through a joint partnership with Aidnet, Grace Baptist Church, Springfield, and Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. From left are Kim, Dennis and Brayden Tompkins. — Photos by Lonnie Wilkey

GREENEVILLE — Six families in Greene County whose homes were heavily damaged and their lives were disrupted by Hurricane Helene were back in their homes on Thanksgiving Day or shortly thereafter. 

First Baptist Church, Greeneville, in conjunction with Aidnet of Greene County, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Grace Baptist Church, Springfield, coordinated the effort that began on Friday, Nov. 22, and concluded on Monday, Nov. 25, said FBC pastor David Green. 

The project orginally was designed to construct five homes in five days, but it turned out to be six homes in less than four full days, Green said.  [Read more…]

Baptist Press file photo / Brandon Porter

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti Wednesday, Dec. 4. The case, which pits the Biden administration’s Justice Department against the State of Tennessee and its attorney general, Jonathan Skrmetti, will determine whether states are allowed to outlaw so-called gender transition treatments for minors.

In March 2023, the Tennessee legislature passed a law prohibiting health care providers from prescribing medications or performing procedures on minor patients with a goal of “transitioning” the patients’ gender. [Read more…]

Stephen Young, right, senior pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Mount Juliet, and Cody Pendergrass, family pastor, thank the congregation for their support of the Christmas Backpack Ministry. The church collected 70 backpacks or about 1 percent of the goal. The church meets in the warehouse at the Missions Mobilization Center in Mount Juliet.

FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches provided a record 7,540 Christmas Backpacks this year, surpassing the ministry’s goal of 7,000 backpacks.

With a lot of people still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene in northeast Tennessee, the extra backpacks are needed, affirmed Beth Moore, compassion ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

Going into our collection week this year, I really had no idea what to expect. I anticipated we may have fewer backpacks, knowing that so many churches had been donating for flood relief,” she said. [Read more…]

The staff at the Baptist and Reflector would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a very happy Thanksgiving! Our hope is that all of you will take a few moments today to spend some time giving thanks to the Lord for the blessings in your life. Family, friends and food will likely be at the top of the list, naturally, but our list of blessings actually extends well beyond that.  [Read more…]

Steve Gaines, center, former pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, and past SBC president, is congratulated by Jonathan Akin, C-N’s vice president for church relations and campus ministries, left, and University president Charles A. Fowler upon receiving the 2024 Ken Sparks Award.

MURFREESBORO — Carson-Newman University presented the 2024 Ken Sparks Award to Steve Gaines. The Nov. 12 presentation came during C-N’s Alumni and Friends Dinner held at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Murfreesboro. 

Named for long-time Carson-Newman football coach Ken Sparks, the award recognizes pastors or lay people within the church who exemplify the traits of the legendary coach.

“Steve Gaines has been an inspiring leader as pastor, preacher, and evangelist. He exudes a deep love for Jesus that motivates his ministry,” said Carson-Newman president Charles Fowler. “There could not be a more deserving recipient of the Ken Sparks Award. Carson-Newman is so blessed to have the privilege to recognize Dr. Gaines in this way and celebrate the fruitfulness of his life and ministry.” [Read more…]

Randy C. Davis

FRANKLIN — Urgency was the theme Thursday when the Arise and Build Task Group met via Zoom to discuss the rebuilding phase of the Hurricane Helene recovery effort across East Tennessee.

“Winter is upon us,” Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, told the group of about 20 on the call. “We’ve got to not only rush in to build the houses but also rush in to present the gospel and make sure that we are not just putting roofs over people’s heads but putting the hope of the gospel in their hearts.”

The Arise and Build Task Group (ABTG) was formed shortly after floodwaters from Hurricane Helene receded, ensuring a collaborative response to what has become a humanitarian crisis. 

More than 1,200 homes and 11 Tennessee Baptist churches have been destroyed or significantly damaged. The initial mud-out phase is complete, and the ABTG met last week to receive updates on rebuilding efforts.  [Read more…]

Bartholomew Orr, senior pastor of Brown Missionary Baptist Church, Southaven, Miss., uses a boxing glove to illustrate a point during the Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference.

MURFREESBORO — Marking the founding of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Murfreesboro 150 years ago, preachers at this year’s Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference at the Embassy Suites hotel addressed the theme “Better Together.”

Grant Gaines, pastor of Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro and president of this year’s conference, chose Philippians 1:3 and 5 as the theme verses: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you … because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

“I love that language, because from the first day 150 years ago until now, we too, as Tennessee Baptists, have had a partnership in the gospel,” Gaines said. “In a day when the tendency of many in the culture and in the church is toward separation and isolation, my hope is that after 150 years we can recommit to partnership and cooperation.” [Read more…]