Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
March 12, 2025
By Baptist and ReflectorMORRISTOWN — In the wake of the floods that struck Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, God’s Warehouse Ministries has mobilized a rapid response effort to deliver critical supplies to affected communities. The multi-state flood hit on the weekend of Feb. 15, leaving at least 14 dead. This disaster not only comes after […]
March 11, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorYour voice is vital as we continue our shared commitment to being faithful stewards of the blessings entrusted to us. Through this brief survey, we hope to evaluate the effectiveness of Linden Valley and Carson Springs Baptist Conference Centers in advancing our mission and serving your churches. Please take a few moments to […]
March 10, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialist, TBMBSEYMOUR — In a display of unity that went beyond individual church walls, Seymour First Baptist Church and five neighboring congregations joined together for a worship night on Feb. 23 that drew more than 600 attendees. Seymour FBC pastor Corey Cain described the event as a vivid reminder that local churches […]
March 7, 2025
Trust, integrity, passing along key information, and “no surprises,” which basically means the senior pastor can go on vacation without the church “blowing up.” These were just a few of the characteristics needed for a pastor’s “No. 2” leader in ministry, noted Bruce Chesser, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Hendersonville, Tenn. That executive pastor […]
March 7, 2025
By Lonnie WilkeyContributing writer, Baptist and ReflectorJoint effort helps launch Hispanic churches in Gibson Co. HUMBOLDT — It took longer than originally intended but a joint effort to plant Hispanic churches in Gibson County by The Church at Sugar Creek in Humboldt, Gibson Baptist Association and Tennessee Baptist Mission Board is now underway with the […]
March 7, 2025
By Lonnie WilkeyContributing writer, Baptist and ReflectorHUMBOLDT — As they relocate to Gibson County to help plant Hispanic churches, Panama missionaries Luis and Jessynet Bruneau come to Tennessee with strong Southern Baptist roots. Bruneau’s maternal and paternal grandmothers both came to faith in Jesus Christ in the 1940s in Colombia under the influence of missionaries […]
March 5, 2025
By Chris TurnerEditor, Baptist and ReflectorAre churches ready to embrace the AI Era? Should they? FRANKLIN — Shiloh Baptist Church in Mount Juliet does not employ a graphic designer, social media manager, video producer or editor. What it does have, however, is a pastor who juggles these roles with the help of technology. Stephen Young, […]
March 5, 2025
By Chris TurnerEditor, Baptist and ReflectorArtificial Intelligence is finding its way into local church ministry. Here are five perspectives from ministers using AI in the context of their responsibility: Name: Stephen Young, pastor Church: Shiloh Baptist Church City: Mount Juliet Using: Chat GPT, Claude AI, Midjourney, Ideogram.ai, leonardo.ai, Sermon Shots Why did you begin using […]
March 5, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — In an effort to allow more time for Sunday School leaders to utilize the commentaries printed in the Baptist and Reflector, we are adjusting the schedule. In the past, we heard from readers who said the B&R would occasionally arrive too late for the first lesson to be used. The new […]
March 4, 2025
GALLATIN — Longtime Tennessee Baptist pastor Larry L. Gilmore died March 1. He was 77. Gilmore was heavily invested in the work of Tennessee Baptists beyond serving as pastor. He was elected president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and later worked on staff at the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (now Tennessee Baptist […]
March 3, 2025
By Zoẽ WatkinsCommunications specialist, TBMBKNOXVILLE — North Knoxville Baptist Church is a revitalization story in the works. Like many other Tennessee Baptist churches, they’ve transformed resources and everyday circumstances into golden opportunities for ministry. Pastor Jim McNeal has led the church to open their facilities for two other churches to meet there. One is a […]
February 27, 2025
Baptist and ReflectorBCM leaders, students recall life-changing moments from their travels KNOXVILLE — Rodney Norvell has been at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) for 11 years, leading students on journeys of faith and service. One of his favorite things as a BCM minister is taking students on mission trips. Norvell first heard about ministry […]