Baptist and Reflector BRADFORD — Longevity is a concept First Baptist Church, Bradford, understands and appreciates.  The church’s pastor, Don Dyer, has faithfully served for 28 years. However, that pales in comparison to the length of ministry by Larry Patterson, minister of worship. At the age of 17, when Larry was a senior in high school, the music position at First Baptist became vacant and the pastor, Harry Garland, persuaded

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] NEWPORT — Not many people leave a 36-year old, successful pastorate to begin a new ministry career at the age of 69, but that’s exactly what Mike Hensley did. And, he has a simple explanation why he left Swannsylvania Baptist Church in Dandridge to become director of missions for East Tennessee Baptist Association, based in Newport. “I prayed about it and began

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] LEXINGTON — One of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s newest specialists has a special interest in young people ages 20 to 40, a majority of whom would be classified as “Millennials.” Why? Because at age 29, Ryan Keaton is one of them. Keaton recently joined the TBMB in the role of emerging generations specialist after serving for 11 years at First Baptist

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] CLEVELAND — New Friendship Baptist Church in rural Bradley County has always been a strong supporter of missions, said pastor Eric Atkins. Not only does the church give 12.5 percent of its undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program and 5 percent to CrossNet Baptist Association, the church sets lofty goals for the annual missions offerings — Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Annie Armstrong