Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
March 7, 2024
By Lonnie WIlkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorMARYVILLE — Blount County residents are still reeling from the tragic death of Blount County Sheriff’s Department deputy Greg McCowan who was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Feb. 8. McCowan was killed when 42-year-old Kenneth Dehart opened fire on him and his partner, Shelby Eggers, according to […]
March 6, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorFRANKLIN — Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis has a strong heritage and culture of giving to missions causes throughout the state, the nation and the world. Ten years ago, Kirby Woods gave more than $2.3 million or 41.37 percent of its total receipts to missions, including more than $51,000 […]
March 5, 2024
By Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches gave $2,624,180 through the Cooperative Program in February. For the year-to-date, Tennessee Baptists have given $11,926,236 through CP. The amount is $276,211 or 2.3 percent below what was given during the same time frame last year. After the first quarter of the 2023-24 fiscal year, […]
March 5, 2024
By David DawsonCommunications specialist, TBMBMOUNT JULIET — Some pastors and church leaders tend to shudder, or perhaps even bristle, when they hear the word “revitalization.” Phil Young, Larry Murphy and Phil Taylor — along with others on the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Revitalization Team — are working hard to change that. “We want people to […]
March 3, 2024
By Grace ThorntonThe Baptist PaperCORDOVA — Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, reported major improvements with his cancer in a video posted March 1. In November 2023, Gaines shared with his congregation that he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer, then in December shared that the cancer had spread to his […]
February 28, 2024
By Tim EllsworthUnion University news officeJACKSON — Lostness in the world is the greatest problem Christians face, Victor Hou told a Union University audience Feb. 1 as part of the annual W.D. Powell Missions Lecture. “Despite wars, despite human trafficking, despite homelessness, crime, lots of other things, lostness is the only problem that will stay […]
February 27, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorCHATTANOOGA — When the membership of Chamberlain Memorial Baptist Church in Chattanooga began to decline, the 30 or so remaining members contacted White Oak Baptist Church and pastor Tony Wilson eight years ago about a possible merger between the two congregations. Wilson was well acquainted with Chamberlain Memorial, having served […]
February 26, 2024
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist & ReflectorPIGEON FORGE — Pastor Rich Murray of Mountain View Baptist Church in Johnson City is bivocational and proud of it. “If it worked for (the Apostle) Paul, why wouldn’t it work for me?” he asked. Murray observed that Paul modeled what it meant to be bivocational. “There is nothing […]
February 22, 2024
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorLINDEN — Change is inevitable in all areas of life and includes changes for individuals, businesses and even denominational organizations and churches, says seminary president Jeff Iorg. Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary in Ontario, Calif., and author of Leading Major Change in Your Organization, speaks from experience. “Even healthy organizations […]
February 22, 2024
By David DawsonCommunications specialist, TBMBLINDEN — Jeff Iorg is considered by many to be an expert on the topic of “dealing with change.” Even so, Iorg admits that adapting to something new can often be a challenging assignment. “My wife will tell you that I don’t always do well when change happens to me,” said […]
February 21, 2024
By Chris TurnerCommunications Director, Tennessee Baptist Mission BoardCOVINGTON — During his recent mental health seminar, pastor Ronny Raines, of First Baptist Church, Clarksville, provided his thoughts on questions to consider in regard to how pastors and ministry leaders can take care of themselves. Here are five key areas to consider: Mental: Are you depressed? Are […]
February 21, 2024
By Chris TurnerCommunications Director, Tennessee Baptist Mission BoardCOVINGTON — Pastors are not “supermen,” but individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges that often lead to ministerial burnout and occasionally suicide. “I found out this job’s hard for everybody,” Cliff Marion told a room full of pastors and other church ministers gathered […]
4017 Rural Plains Circle
Franklin, TN 37064
2025 © The Baptist and Reflector. All Right Reserved.