Tennessee Baptist and Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

SCRIPTURE READING MARATHON CONTINUES AT UNION UNIVERSITY

By Tim Ellsworth
Associate VP for Communications, Union University

Union graduate Erin Mount takes part in the Scripture reading marathon under Miller Tower. -Photo by Kristi Woody

Union graduate Erin Mount takes part in the Scripture reading marathon under Miller Tower.
-Photo by Kristi Woody

JACKSON, Tenn. — Despite drenching rain and forceful winds, the Scripture reading marathon at Union University went on as scheduled.

About 500 volunteers from Union and the broader Jackson and West Tennessee communities are participating in the five-day public reading of the Bible from start to finish. The event was designed as a kickoff and wrap-up of sorts for REF500, a celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, from March 9-11 on the Union campus. [Read more…]

THE SHAKINESS OF ‘THE SHACK’

By Todd Brady
Vice President for University Ministries, Union University

Todd Brady

Todd Brady

Based on the wildly popular best-selling book, The Shack, the movie by the same title hits theaters March 3.  While all that glitters is not gold, The Shack proves that all that is spiritual is not trustworthy.

Pastor Eugene Peterson outrageously claimed that the book “has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his.”  Wynonna Judd said that the “story has blown the door wide open to my soul.” [Read more…]

GAINES TO HEADLINE RALLY

Compiled by B&R

Steve Gaines, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, fields questions about topics of interest to Southern Baptists, from President Trump to the need for revival, during the annual meeting of state Baptist paper editors. -Photo by Lonnie Wilkey

Steve Gaines, at the recent the annual meeting of state Baptist paper editors.

JACKSON — Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines will be the keynote speaker at the second annual West Tennessee Evangelism Rally March 5 at Union University.

Ernest Easley, professor of evangelism at Union, said last year’s rally was much more successful than he had hoped, with more than 800 people attending.

He said the need for such an event is clear. [Read more…]

UNION STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN D.C. EVENT

Baptist Press

JACKSON — Thirteen Union University students took part in the annual March for Life, a peaceful pro-life demonstration, held Jan. 27 in Washington, D.C.

The students are members of Life139, Union’s pro-life student group. They also participated in Evangelicals for Life and Students for Life conferences while in D.C.

“Abortion is the greatest human rights issue of our generation,” said Andrew Edmiston, a junior physics major and president of Life139. “It affects all races, all people. It’s the human life at its most innocent stage.” [Read more…]

TN SENATOR CHALLENGES UNION GRADUATES TO BE COMMUNITY SERVANTS

By Tim Ellsworth
Associate VP for Communications, Union University

Senator Bob Corker

Senator Bob Corker

JACKSON — Sen. Bob Corker in his Dec. 17 commencement address advised Union University graduates to master a skill, to create a bold vision in their undertakings and to give back to their communities.

“You don’t have to be a United States Senator or a mayor or in any other elected position to give back to others,” Corker said. “There’s nothing in life from a secular standpoint that makes you feel more whole  as a human being than to know that a portion of what you’re doing is enhancing someone else’s life.” [Read more…]

UNION HONORS DOCKERYS WITH LECTURE SERIES

Baptist and Reflector

David & Lanese Dockery

David & Lanese Dockery

JACKSON — Union University will launch a new lecture series in the spring that honors its former president and first lady and celebrates the school’s Baptist history and heritage.

The Dockery Lectures on Baptist Thought and Heritage, named for former Union President David S. Dockery and First Lady Lanese Dockery, will be an annual event designed to examine the importance of the Baptist heritage, the distinctives of Baptist thought, and the influence of the Christian intellectual tradition. [Read more…]

STUDENTS MAKE DECISIONS ON UNION CAMPUS

Union News Office

-Photo by Kimmie Stewart

-Photo by Kimmie Stewart

JACKSON  — Union University hosted more than 4,000 campers at Centrifuge Camps throughout the summer. During the seven weeks of camps, more than 600 decisions were made, including 136 salvation decisions, 365 rededications, and 37 calls to ministry.

Todd Brady, Union’s vice president for university ministries, said Union is grateful to have had a part in the life-changing experiences that students had on campus this summer.

Objective_1_ICON_baptism“Throughout the years Union University has been a place where students experience the Lord in profound ways,” Brady said. “As a Christian college committed to the mission of providing Christ-centered education that promotes excellence and character development in service to church and society, we are grateful to partner with Centrifuge and be a part of what God is doing in the lives of young people throughout America.”

Students at each camp participated in morning and evening worship, small group Bible studies, and team-building recreation. Union provided the facilities for all of the activities.

The number of Centrifuge campers at Union has continued to grow over the past four years, and Brady said he prays Union continues to be a place where students’ lives are transformed by God.

EZELL RECEIVES DODD AWARD FROM UNION

Union University News Office

Kevin Ezell (center) with his wife Lynette and Union University President Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver at Union's baseball-themed alumni and friends reception in St. Louis.

Kevin Ezell (center) with his wife Lynette and Union University President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver at Union’s baseball-themed alumni and friends reception in St. Louis.

JACKSON — Union University presented Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, with its M.E. Dodd Denominational Service Award during Union’s alumni reception June 14 at the SBC annual meeting.

The Dodd Award is the highest denominational service award Union gives. It is named for the man who was a 1904 Union graduate, served as president of the SBC and who was the father of today’s Cooperative Program, the method by which Southern Baptists pool their resources to fund their missions efforts. [Read more…]

UU TRUSTEES OK $91 MILLION BUDGET

Union University news office

JACKSON — Union University trustees approved a $91 million budget for 2016-2017 during their April 1 meeting.

The projected budget for 2016-17 represents a 3.55 percent increase from the current year’s operating budget.

“We’re committed to being wise stewards of the resources God has given us,” said Lisa Rogers, chairman of the board of trustees.

“We’re grateful for the ways the Lord has provided for us to accomplish the Union mission,” she said.

In addition to the budget, trustees approved a number of Union faculty members for promotions, tenure, and research leaves.

UNION MOURNS LOSS OF LANCASTER, 51, TO CANCER

By Tim Ellsworth
Associate VP for Communications, Union University

Holli Lancaster

Holli Lancaster

JACKSON, Tenn. — Holli Lancaster, a former IMB missionary in Southeast Asia and missionary in residence at Union University, died March 29 at age 51, following a battle with ovarian cancer. Holli’s husband, Dan Lancaster, serves as assistant vice president for university ministries at Union.

“They brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the campus and built incredible relations with students as well as faculty and staff,” said Todd Brady, vice president for university ministries at Union.

Prior to serving at Union, the Lancasters spent 12 years as missionaries in Southeast Asia. Brady said when they came to Union, their mission and purpose came with them.

“Their investment and love for the mission of Union and God’s heartbeat for the world, those two things were obvious,” he said. [Read more…]

Address

4017 Rural Plains Circle
Franklin, TN 37064

Contact Information

Mail: Baptist & Reflector, P.O. Box 682789, Franklin, TN 37068
Physical Address: 4017 Rural Plains Circle, Franklin, TN 37064
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 615-371-2003

2025 © The Baptist and Reflector. All Right Reserved.