By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector KNOXVILLE — Once a strong, vibrant congregation, Cumberland Baptist Church here had fallen into hard times over recent years as attendance had dwindled from nearly 400 in its heyday to between 70-100  people. Two issues were readily seen — the church had few young families and those who attended no longer reflected the neighborhood. Bob Brown, church revitalization specialist for the Tennessee Baptist

Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD – Kylan Mann, pastor of Central Baptist Church, Martin, will be nominated as vice president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention during next week’s Summit (scheduled for Nov. 13-17 at the Sevierville Convention Center in Sevierville). Mann will be nominated by Danny Sinquefield, pastor, Faith Baptist Church, Bartlett. “Kylan is an exceptional young leader and he is actively involved in his association (Weakley County Baptist Association),” Sinquefield

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — This year’s annual Summit, scheduled for Nov. 13-17 at the Sevierville Convention Center, will mark the second anniversary of the adoption of the Five Objectives that were approved by messengers at the 2014 Summit at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood. The Five Objectives are long-range goals for the Tennessee Baptist Convention. They are:

By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector BARTLETT — The “negatives of autism” which include trying to help that child who “lives in a different world” can be overwhelming, explained Mary D. Wasson. Even though her son is only mildly autistic, Ethan, 14, and the family endure many difficult days, said Wasson. Thankfully Ethan can talk and express himself and does pretty well at a public middle school,