MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptists are joining Southern Baptists around the globe in responding to the devastating attack on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas in the early morning hours of Oct. 7. CNBC News reported Oct. 10 that nearly 2,000 people have been killed and 2,700 injured in Israel and at least 900 people killed and 4,500 injured in Gaza, according to Palestinian and Israeli health services. Tennessee Baptist

NASHVILLE — A statement has been released by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission called the Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel condemning the attacks on Israel, calling on Christians to pray for Israelis and Palestinians and urging policymakers to use their power to protect innocent life in the Middle East. The statement bears the signatures of dozens of pastors, SBC entity and state convention leaders and leaders of various Christian organizations.

FRANKLIN — “Side by Side” is the theme of the 2023 Summit to be held Nov. 12-15 at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga. “We have been anticipating this year’s Summit and gathering of Tennessee Baptists for some time,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “The Tennessee Baptist Convention begins our final year of The Five Objectives focus and we will launch

FRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Convention’s 10-year, Five Objectives emphasis draws to a close next year and Tennessee Baptists are actively seeking God’s will for the future of collaborative ministry. The Acts 2:17 Initiative was launched at the 2022 Summit held at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova with messengers participating in listening sessions during their annual meeting.  The name comes from Acts 2:17 which notes that “in the last days

Tim Shelton, pastor of groups leadership and family life at Memphis-area Bellevue Baptist Church, passed away on Oct. 8 after participating in an Ironman competition the day before when he suffered cardiac arrest. Bellevue Baptist posted on their Facebook page, “It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Tim Shelton, Bellevue’s Pastor of Groups Leadership and Family Life. During a triathlon Saturday, October 7, Tim

MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are needed for response efforts in New England, Florida and a local project in Pikeville, Tenn., according to Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. In Florida, chainsaw and tarping teams are needed through the end of October as volunteers continue to help those affected from the recent hurricane, Jones said. “There are still many trees on houses

STANTON — Although First Baptist Church, Pulaski, is located roughly three hours from Stanton, the members of FBC aren’t allowing the 150-mile separation to keep them from doing what they feel called to do. Having gone “all in” on their mission to make an impact for Christ at Blue Oval City — the massive Ford auto plant being built in Stanton — the members of FBC are seizing their opportunities.

HARROGATE — Bob Finch served for six years as a director of missions in Kentucky before accepting the same position with Cumberland Gap Baptist Association, headquartered in Harrogate, two years ago. “The Lord put me there to get me ready for here,” affirmed Finch who is from Rochester, N.Y. and is retired from the Air Force. He has ties to Tennessee through his wife, Sharon, who grew up in nearby