By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

OLIVER SPRINGS — Living by faith has been a way of life for the members of Beech Park Baptist Church here since 2004.

That was the year the church stepped out in faith and bought an old strip mall for future expansion — with less than $1,000 in the bank.

The mall was located about three-and-a-half miles from where Beech Park had been located since 1904, recalled Pastor Robbie Leach. [Read more…]

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

LINDEN — “This building is a work of love … by a bunch of people,” said Tim Bearden last Saturday as the new Worship Center of Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center was dedicated. The service drew about 350 people.

“In my life I’ve never done anything like this,” reported Bearden, who oversaw the construction of the building. He is senior manager, Tennessee Baptist Convention conference centers. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — When Randy C. Davis left the pastorate of First Baptist Church, Sevierville, in 2010 to become the executive director/treasurer of the Tennessee Baptist Convention he had no expectations as to the ease or difficulty of the task he was undertaking.

As he enters his fifth year at the helm of the TBC, Davis noted the last four years “have been one of the richest spiritual journeys of my life.” [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

SPRINGFIELD — The reality of people going hungry is not confined just to larger cities.

In fact, it may even be worse in rural counties and communities, said Pastor Steve Freeman of Grace Baptist Church in Springfield.

There’s not as much benevolent aid available in the non-metropolitan counties, Freeman observed. [Read more…]

Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD – Tennessee Baptist Convention churches contributed a total of $2,178,362 through the Cooperative Program in June.

For the year-to-date, Tennessee Baptists have given $22,345,002 through the CP giving channel to fund missions and ministry opportunities in the state, nation, and around the world. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

NASHVILLE — For at least one week in Nashville, barriers caused by race and religion were torn down as 117 children of diverse backgrounds came together to sing and learn musical skills.

At least 10 countries were represented at the International Music School held June 16-20 at Tusculum Hills Baptist Church in Nashville.

Children at the event, which was sponsored by several Nashville-area churches, launched the Children’s Freedom Choir and presented their first concert at the conclusion of their week-long school. The choir included children of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and other or no religious backgrounds. [Read more…]

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — Besides the two Baptist camps/conference centers being operated by the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee, seven Baptist associations own and operate camps/retreat centers, and a former association camp bought by a Baptist church in Tennessee, now a separate ministry, is available.

The TBC camps are Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center, Linden, and Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center, Newport. This summer Linden Valley is offering one week of youth camp, one four-day youth camp, and one week of children’s camp. Cost begins at $285 for youth camp and is $260 for the children’s camp. Carson Springs is the site of one mini-camp for children which costs $135. The TBC camps also host many church and association-directed camps, retreats, and other meetings. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

NASHVILLE — In addition to approving the 10-year goals outlined by Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Director Randy C. Davis (see story on page 1), the Executive Board approved a new partnership with the Guatemalan Baptist Convention, approved allocations for the 2014 Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions, and heard an update from the Vision 2021 Transition Team during its June 24 meeting held at Forest Hills Baptist Church here. [Read more…]

Baptist and Reflector

BRENTWOOD — Chris Kelly has been named executive vice president and general counsel of the Tennessee Baptist Foundation, effective July 1.

Kelly, who is an attorney and trust officer, is a deacon and Sunday School teacher and has served on several committees at Third Baptist Church, Murfreesboro. He has served on the TBF board of trustees since 2012. He served on the investment committee and was vice chair of the Executive Committee of the Foundation in 2014. [Read more…]

By Charlie Wertherington
Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes

BRENTWOOD — Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes President/Treasurer Bryant Millsaps has announced his intention to step down from his post on Dec. 31, 2015.

Millsaps joined the TBCH staff in 1998 as assistant to Gerald Stow, president/treasurer. He was selected as Stow’s successor and began his service as president/treasurer in 2000. When he completes his tenure at the end of 2015, Millsaps will have completed a total of 18 years of service to TBCH. [Read more…]