Baptist and Reflector KINGSPORT — William L. “Bill” Palmer died Nov. 25 at his home in Kingsport at the age of 99. Palmer was a longtime pastor in South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee and served as president of Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy (The King’s Academy) in Seymour for eight years. His Tennessee pastorates included First Baptist Church, Morristown, and Witt Baptist Church, Morristown. He also served as interim pastor of 20

Baptist & Reflector COOKEVILLE — In the early morning hours of March 3, tornadoes swept through Middle Tennessee, leaving behind at least 24 fatalities and a path of destruction. Cookeville and Putnam County especially were hit hard with about 18 fatalities and a number of homes that were flattened. Within a matter of hours, Tennessee Baptists were on the scene ready to assist residents with clearing trees and debris while

Baptist & Reflector FRANKLIN — For several years the Tennessee Baptist Convention has been recognizing “people in the pews” who are getting outside the walls of their church and making a Great Commission impact through the “Eagle Award.” In the past the convention has honored coaches, a businessman and a military veteran, said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.  This year the convention

Baptist & Reflector FRANKLIN — Shannon and Jean-Ann Washam have walked with people facing crises many, many times  throughout their lives while serving in compassion ministries. Shannon is director of Western Heights Baptist Center in Knoxville while Jean-Ann is director of Appalachian Outreach in Jefferson City. They shared their story on video during the Virtual Summit on Nov. 10. See this video and others at TBCSummit.org. But nothing could have

Former wrestler known as the ‘Wild Samoan’ now a church planter in East Tenn. Baptist & Reflector FRANKLIN — For 30 years Elias Nech wrestled under the name of “The Wild Samoan.”  Today, however, he no longer body slams those he comes into contact with. Instead, he is more likely to tell people about the love of Jesus Christ.  And, instead of the Wild Samoan, he’s simply Pastor Elias. Nech

‘Barbershop conversation’ focuses on steps needed for racial equality By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] MURFREESBORO — Among the many powerful moments of the 2020 Virtual Summit was the “barbershop conversation” with Grant Gaines and Ternae Jordan. The two pastors got together to discuss the topic of racial justice, and how the Bible promotes and defines it. Gaines, pastor of Belle Aire Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, and Jordan, pastor of