By Tony Rankin Minister of pastoral care, First Baptist Church, Nashville Regardless of how real you think COVID-19 is and regardless of where you stand on the political debate or spin of the news that attempt to define the legitimacy of the virus, the COVID blues are valid. COVID-19 has caused our culture to make adjustments, forced each of us to make personal decisions that have been in conflict with
By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] JOHNSON CITY — When Randy Hommel steps to the pulpit each Sunday at Clark Street Baptist Church in Johnson City, he faces the same pressures and stresses as most every pastor in the country — meeting the needs of a congregation still dealing with fears over COVID-19, as well as their own hurts and needs. A pastor for 21 years, Hommel is better equipped today more
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FLINTVILLE — Perhaps no one knows better than Don Pierson how desperately the United States needs to be intimately connected with God through prayer during this point in the nation’s history. In a nation filled with fear over COVID-19, increasing racial turmoil and divide and a country divided by politics, God is the only answer, said Don Pierson, pastor of Stewart’s Chapel
Worship and friendship are the bedrock of pastors’ hiking trip on Appalachian Trail By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — With the overwhelming stress of the past few months beginning to take a toll, pastor David Simmerman decided he would heed the advice of a friend.
Editor’s note: The story was updated on Sept. 21. By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] WINNFIELD, La. — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are in action, ministering in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Volunteers began arriving over Labor Day weekend, with the first team stationed at First Baptist Church, Winnfield, La. On Sept. 19, the Tennessee Baptist DR operations moved to Philadelphia Baptist Church Horseshoe Drive, Alexandria, La. The DR operation in this area
Union University new office JACKSON — The labor of pastors as they seek to lead their congregations in a time of pandemic is not in vain, Ray Van Neste told a group of pastors and their wives at Union University on Sept. 8. Van Neste, dean of Union’s School of Theology and Missions, spoke as part of the West Tennessee Pastors and Wives Appreciation Banquet that drew more than 100
Carson-Newman news office JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University President Charles A. Fowler shared with students, faculty and staff how the University’s mission must become the prevalent navigational influence on the school’s future and determine the assessment of effectiveness as an institution. The address came during this year’s Convocation ceremony, held at Burke-Tarr Stadium to allow for social distancing due to the pandemic. The annual ceremony celebrates the senior class and
By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] FRANKLIN — The board of directors of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board approved a recommendation for a $35 million Cooperative Program budget for 2020-21. The board met in person for the first time since COVID-19, but also provided a virtual option that the majority of the directors chose to take. The in-person meeting was held Sept. 15 at Thompson Station Church, Thompson’s Station. The $35 million
By Sarah Goff Union University news office JACKSON — The Union University Auxiliary hosted “An Evening with Abby Johnson” in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Johnson is a pro-life advocate and author of the award-winning book, “Unplanned,” which has been adapted into a movie of the same title. “Unplanned” chronicles both Johnson’s experiences during her eight-year career at Planned Parenthood and her dramatic exit in 2009
By Paul Fries DOM, Salem Baptist Association, Liberty In Enterprise, Ala,, at the corner of College and Main Streets, stands a 13-foot tall monument to the Boll Weevil. This monument was placed their on Dec. 11, 1919 with the following inscription: “In profound appreciation of the Boll Weevil and what it has done as the herald of prosperity, this monument was erected by the citizens of Enterprise, Coffee County, Alabama.”
By Tony Rankin Minister of pastoral care, First Baptist Church, Nashville Regardless of how real you think COVID-19 is and regardless of where you stand
By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] JOHNSON CITY — When Randy Hommel steps to the pulpit each Sunday at Clark Street Baptist Church in Johnson City, he
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FLINTVILLE — Perhaps no one knows better than Don Pierson how desperately the United States needs to
Worship and friendship are the bedrock of pastors’ hiking trip on Appalachian Trail By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — With the
Editor’s note: The story was updated on Sept. 21. By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] WINNFIELD, La. — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are in action, ministering in the
Union University new office JACKSON — The labor of pastors as they seek to lead their congregations in a time of pandemic is not in
Carson-Newman news office JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University President Charles A. Fowler shared with students, faculty and staff how the University’s mission must become the
By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] FRANKLIN — The board of directors of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board approved a recommendation for a $35 million Cooperative Program
By Sarah Goff Union University news office JACKSON — The Union University Auxiliary hosted “An Evening with Abby Johnson” in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel
By Paul Fries DOM, Salem Baptist Association, Liberty In Enterprise, Ala,, at the corner of College and Main Streets, stands a 13-foot tall monument to