NEWPORT — Mike Hensley is well qualified to assess the response of East Tennessee Baptist Association’s 38 churches following Hurricane Helene’s devastation in Cocke County one year ago. Hensley, director of missions and retired longtime pastor of Swannsylvania Baptist Church in Dandridge, has been involved in the life of the association since 1979. He is extremely proud of the association’s churches following their response to “the worst disaster I’ve ever

ELIZABETHTON — Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene devastated East Tennessee communities, West Tennessee churches continue making the hours-long journey across the state to help rebuild homes and lives through sustained disaster relief efforts. From building tiny homes to installing siding, to delivering appliances and praying with homeowners, volunteers from multiple counties have coordinated through Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief to address ongoing needs in remote communities often overlooked by larger

Denton Baptist Church undergoes amazing restoration COSBY — “Miracle” is the word Mike Hensley, director of missions for East Tennessee Baptist Association, uses to describe what has happened at Denton Baptist Church in Cosby since Hurricane Helene devastated the county last September. Church deacon Ronnie Chambers goes a step further. “It was a big miracle,” he maintained. “Only one person could have pulled it off and that was the Lord.”

TBDR coordinator, Johnson City JOHNSON CITY —  Having served with Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief for almost a decade, Tina Golden has “been around the block” more than a few times. But even with her years of experience, Golden said the recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene have been some of the most extensive, and most challenging, that she’s ever been through. Golden is currently serving as the coordinator for the DR

Enon Baptist sees miracle after church was destroyed JONESBOROUGH — Like the children being led to the Promised Land, so did Enon Baptist Church see themselves after the flood waters of Hurricane Helene subsided. Enon Baptist Church weathered the storm, even though their building did not. Less than a week after the hurricane destroyed their sanctuary, members gathered for Wednesday night activities as usual. They met at a nearby Methodist

Volunteers unite to rebuild after Hurricane Helene JONESBOROUGH — When you first hear the name “Skeeter,” you might picture someone spirited and full of life — and 72-year-old Skeeter Lewis is exactly that. Even after losing her home, car, and belongings in last year’s Hurricane Helene flooding, Skeeter’s energy and gratitude shine as brightly as ever. In August, Skeeter welcomed volunteers and supporters to the dedication of her new home, a

JONESBOROUGH — Larry Stinson volunteered for disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Deep South in 2005. He never imagined that 20 years later, he’d be responding to another hurricane in his own backyard of East Tennessee. Stinson, 79, started with Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) in 2003 after witnessing the organization’s work helping local people. The next year, he participated in a training session at his home church, Mount

Kitchen director, Grace Baptist Church JOHNSON CITY —  Keith Davenport is an avid golfer. He plays several times a week, often arriving at the first tee box before most people have had breakfast. Last fall, Davenport found himself setting his alarm clock even earlier than usual. And the early wake-up calls had nothing to do with tee-times. Davenport is a deacon at Grace Baptist Church in Johnson City. The church