During the past 10 years, Tennessee Baptists have focused on the Five Objectives, one of which was to see 50,000 people annually saved and baptized by 2024. Evangelism will continue to be a focus of Tennessee Baptists during the transition to the Acts 2:17 Initiative. Tennessee Baptists’ concern for the lost is not new. Read a portion of this article which appeared in the Jan. 12, 1911 issue of the

With impending storms headed into the state, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are now on alert, as of 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, is asking volunteers to “please be on guard as the chance of storms is growing.”  Jones said volunteers and DR team leaders should stayed tuned to their local weather sources and should “take care of (their) family

NASHVILLE — Tennessee lawmakers have approved an “abortion trafficking” ban making it a Class A misdemeanor to transport minors out of state for abortions without parental consent, or to procure abortion pills for minors. Parents and legal guardians retain the right to get their children abortions outside Tennessee, and other adults may do so with the written, notarized consent of the pregnant mother’s parent. The bill does not impact the

FRANKLIN — The Off the Grid Institute, a ministry of the Tennessee Baptist Conference Centers, will sponsor a one-day seminar on May 14 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport. The seminar, “Introduction to Biblical Prophecy: Rightly Handling Revelation,” will be led by Mark Proctor of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff.  The seminar provides a theological framework to interpret prophecy found in Revelation. Attendees

SEVIERVILLE — Scott Andrews recently celebrated his 35th anniversary as worship pastor at First Baptist Church, Sevierville. His ministry, however, goes beyond just music. Andrews also serves as senior adult/pastoral care pastor and he’s been known to lead quite a few mission trips as well.  In addition to the four pastors he has served with at First Baptist (Joe Wren, Rich Liner, Randy Davis and Dan Spencer), Andrews also served

BRENTWOOD — Kasondra Pillow loved everything about the Tennessee WMU’s Missions Get-Together. “I loved all of it!” she declared. “I’ve learned so much about Jesus!” This was Pillow’s first time to attend the Missions Get-Together, which met April 11-13 at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood. She came with a group of seven from Immanuel Baptist Church in Trenton.  “I loved interacting with the people, and the breakout sessions are the

FRANKLIN — The directors of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board unanimously approved the purchase of 14 acres with two buildings with a combined 15,100 square feet of space to be used for church planting in the area near BlueOval City during their first meeting of the year April 23 in Franklin. Included with the purchase was 25 acres contiguous to the property given as a charitable donation. The property is located

FRANKLIN — The start of a new year will mark the end of an era for the Baptist and Reflector.  Lonnie Wilkey, who has served as editor of the B&R for 26 years, has announced his plans to retire from his position, effective Dec. 31, 2024. The Greenville, S.C., native first joined the B&R staff in 1988 as associate editor, holding that position for 10 years. Wilkey then served as

Thomas Buford Maston was born Nov. 26, 1897, and grew up in New Market, Tenn.  He graduated from Carson-Newman College in 1920 and later received an honorary doctorate in 1958.   Maston received his master’s and Ph.D. in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he later taught for 41 years.  He later received a master of arts degree from Texas Christian University and a Ph.D. in philosophy from