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TBF TAPS SAM WARNER AS NEW PRESIDENT-TREASURER

FRANKLIN — Trustees of the Tennessee Baptist Foundation have elected Sam Warner as president-treasurer.  He succeeds Bill Gruenewald who announced in February his intention to retire as TBF president on Oct. 31. Gruenewald joined the Foundation in 2011 as executive vice president and served for three years before his election as president in 2014.  The Tennessee Baptist Foundation, organized in 1938, assists individual Tennessee Baptists as well as Tennessee Baptist

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IT’S TIME TO TAKE II CHRONICLES 7:14 SERIOUSLY

Last week millions of Americans celebrated Independence Day. For many of them, it was just another holiday to celebrate, cookout, go to the beach or the lake and end the day with fireworks.  On the Sunday prior to July 4, countless churches held special patriotic services and many pastors undoubtedly preached a message from II Chronicles 7:14. “God Bless America” was no doubt sung thousands of times. And, the messages

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ALL NATIONS CAMP: BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER

LINDEN — All Nations Camp 2024 will be remembered as a record-breaking, decision-making, spirit-awakening event.  Held during a two-week stretch in June — with the first week at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center and the following week at Linden Valley Conference Center — this year’s camp drew a total of 608 campers and counselors, easily surpassing the previous high-water mark of 500 set in 2018. 

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TENNESSEE DR RECOVERS DROWNING VICTIM

DANDRIDGE — Members of the Tennessee Baptist and Nolachucky Baptist Association Disaster Relief Swiftwater Rescue Team were instrumental in the recovery of the body of a 7-year-old drowning victim on July 4 in Douglas Lake in Dandridge. WVLT 8 in Knoxville reported that Serenity Kinsey was reported missing after her family realized she has left her home during the night. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation immediately issued an AMBER Alert

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GOTM GIFTS EXCEED $2.3 MILLION, SET NEW RECORD

FRANKLIN —With two months to go in the 2023-24 Golden Offering for Tennessee Baptist Missions fiscal year, gifts through GOTM have exceeded $2.3 million for the first time in its history.  As of June 30, GOTM gifts from Tennessee Baptist Convention churches totaled $2,309,506.88, breaking last year’s record gifts of $2,262,288.  “With two months, it is remarkable that we have already set a new record for giving to GOTM and

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CONFLICTED THOUGHTS ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

I don’t believe the column that follows is what Baptist and Reflector Editor Lonnie Wilkey had in mind when he asked me to write something about Independence Day. “Since you’re a veteran,” Lonnie began in an email, “Would you write a column about the importance of Independence Day and what it means to you, both as a Christian and one who has served his country?” I reluctantly agreed. I’m conflicted

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SNAPSHOTS IN TIME: PROMINENT TBC PASTORS: ROBERT G. LEE

Union University recently celebrated its 200th birthday and, as part of that celebration, Union recognized many individuals involved in cultivating Union’s rich Baptist history. One such individual was Robert Greene “R.G.”Lee, who was born in York County, S.C., in 1886.  Though his education was irregular, he managed to learn the basics and earned money to continue his education. He left home to work on the Panama Canal, earning money to

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SNAPSHOTS IN TIME: UNION UNIVERSITY

Many are familiar with the Jackson campus of Union University — the iconic Miller clock tower, the dome of the Logos building and the great lawn, built over time since its move from downtown Jackson.  However, the current campus is descended originally from the campus in Murfreesboro that was built with money collected by circuit minister, Bradley Kimbrough. Kimbrough was born in November 1799 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. He grew

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TENN. EVANGELISTS INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAITH

INDIANAPOLIS — Six men, including Tennessee Baptist evangelists Jerry Drace and Ron Herrod (deceased), were added to the Southern Baptist Evangelists’ Hall of Faith June 10 at the Westin hotel, across the street from the Indiana Convention Center. The recognition took place during the annual meeting of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists (COSBE). COSBE was organized in 1958 and the Hall of Faith was established in 2008.  Typically, two

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SBC ANNUAL MEETINGS ARE FOR THE MESSENGERS

One good thing about not having a printed issue immediately following the SBC annual meeting is I have an opportunity to think about all that transpired during those two packed days in Indianapolis. I won’t rehash the business itself. We have numerous articles on the website from the annual meeting as well as a good wrap up of events from the SBC, some of which have not been on the

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