By Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — More messengers attended The Summit Nov. 10-12 at Brentwood Baptist Church here than previously thought.

Following Summit, the Baptist and Reflector reported 958 registered messengers. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — The year 2014 proved to be historic for the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

For the first time in its 140-year history, messengers to The Summit in November elected an African-American as president.

Michael Ellis, pastor of Impact Baptist Church in Memphis, was elected president without any opposition. [Read more…]

By Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD, Tenn.— The Tennessee Baptist Convention has named a former employee and veteran of numerous disaster relief efforts to lead the state’s disaster relief initiative on an interim basis.

Mike Overcash began his duties as the TBC’s interim disaster relief director Jan. 5, succeeding David Acres who retired from the position last fall. Overcash was a computer systems specialist with the TBC from 1995-2001. However, he has long been involved in Tennessee disaster relief efforts through Judson Baptist Church where he’s a member. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C., Overcash escalated his involvement and became a fulltime disaster relief volunteer, helping in the wake of that incident as well as multiple hurricanes and tornados that wreaked havoc across the Southeastern United States from 2003 to 2005. He has remained an active part of disaster relief efforts since. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — Vern Blanchard Powers, a longtime leader in the Tennessee Baptist Convention, died Dec. 19 at the age of 94 at his home in Old Hickory.

Though born in Evansville, Ind., Powers spent most of his life in Tennessee. His dad, Blanchard Powers, also was a longtime pastor. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

CLARKSVILLE — Over the years Pastor Jimmy Terry of Tabernacle Baptist Church here has witnessed what he perceives as a de-emphasis on Christmas by Christians.

Christians have abandoned Christmas (and Easter), Terry observed. “We have given it over to the secular world.”

For the past four years or so Terry has purchased several hundred yard signs which proclaim, “Christmas is all about JESUS.”

The Clarksville pastor took it a step further this year — actually a huge step based on faith. Terry purchased 10,000 signs at a cost of $3 each.

“When you step out in faith, Jesus will not let you sink,” Terry declared. “If you don’t believe it, just ask Peter,” he continued, noting that he is confident that churches and individuals will provide the resources needed for the signs. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Editor’s Note: Tennessee Baptist churches are collecting money this month for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Mike and Heather McAfee are missionaries with strong Tennessee ties. They were featured missionaries in the recent Week of Prayer for International Missions. They also participated in the Missions Extravaganza held at The Summit in Brentwood in November. They currently are residing in Cookeville but will be returning to the Ivory Coast in West Africa in January.

COOKEVILLE — It’s really not surprising that Heather and Mike McAfee became missionaries with the International Mission Board.

They pretty much grew up learning about Southern Baptist missions and how Southern Baptists work together through the Cooperative Program to support missions efforts locally, nationally, and around the world. [Read more…]

By Baptist and Reflector

(UPDATED 12-9-14)

HENDERSONVILLE – Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, based in Alpharetta, Ga., has been named interim pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church.

The announcement was posted Dec. 4 on Long Hollow Baptist’s website.

Ezell fills the void created by the death of David Landrith who served as pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church from 1997 until his death on Nov. 18 following a bout with cancer.

The website noted that prior to becoming president of the North American Mission Board, Ezell served as senior pastor of Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., a congregation “which experienced a similar story to Long Hollow, growing to seven campuses across two states as God moved in a powerful way.”

The website noted that as interim pastor Ezell would preach in the main weekend worship services, help prepare the church for its next pastor, and provide prayer and encouragement for the church and staff.
In a statement released to the Baptist and Reflector on Dec. 9, Ezell observed that “David Landrith was a very good friend of mine.

“He was one of the most genuine and authentic Christians and pastors I have ever known. I am humbled and honored to serve such a great church during this time of transition,” Ezell said.

Randy C. Davis, executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, observed that Ezell “is a friend and has been a strong encourager of the work of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

“I know that God will use him as an instrument of comfort and healing during this strategic time in the life of Long Hollow,” Davis said.

The TBC leader added that Ezell’s “friendship with Pastor Landrith and the church’s familiarity with Kevin will certainly be great assets during this period of transition.”

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — Worship leaders of churches should adopt a more active role in assisting their congregations to worship in a way which can help them mature as Christians, said Keith Getty, Christian music artist and composer, at The Summit of the Tennessee Baptist Convention Nov. 11.

Solely “singing happy verses” or “songs that say little about little” won’t lead to worship or maturing Christians and won’t stem the tide of the younger generation leaving churches, he stated at a breakout session he led.

“What a disgrace it is to be rattling our car keys and playing with our phones rather than worshiping,” he stated. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Editor’s Note: See an article on Ellis and the ministry of Impact Baptist Church in the Frayser community of Memphis.

MEMPHIS — The new president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention downplays the fact that he is the convention’s first African-American president.

“Being selected president is not about Michael Ellis. It’s about what God is doing,” said Ellis, pastor of Impact Baptist Church in the Frayser community of Memphis.

“In one year I have the responsibility to accomplish what God has designed for me and for His purpose for allowing me to be elected,” he continued. [Read more…]