News

SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPUDIATES STATEMENT OF FORMER ATTORNEY, PLEDGES TO ENGAGE WITH SURVIVORS

May 24, 2022

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] NASHVILLE — In what was originally to be an informational meeting, members of the Executive Committee voted to suspend the rules in order to vote on a statement of support for survivors of sexual abuse. Roland Slade, chair of the Executive Committee, noted during the Zoom call that everyone is still processing the report and called for members to “lament, listen and

FORMER TBC PRESIDENTS LOOK TO THE FUTURE, DISCUSS TWO-YEAR TERM

May 24, 2022

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — Thirteen former presidents of the Tennessee Baptist Convention gathered May 12 at the Church Support Center to discuss opportunities and challenges, including future needs for churches in the convention and a question of whether the TBC president should have a second term. The meeting was initiated by Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

HUNT DENIES ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE

May 24, 2022

The Baptist Paper One of Southern Baptists’ popular preachers, Johnny Hunt, has found himself in a “he said, she said” situation but resigned from his executive vice president role at the North American Mission Board before the news broke. “To put it bluntly: I vigorously deny the circumstances and characterizations set forth in the Guidepost report. I have never abused anybody,” Hunt shared May 22. His statement follows the release

NAMED IN GUIDEPOST REPORT, KEY LEADERS RESPOND

May 24, 2022

By Scott Barkley Baptist Press NASHVILLE — The names of numerous Southern Baptist leaders appeared throughout the lengthy report made available May 22 by Guidepost Solutions on the subject of sexual abuse allegations and the SBC Executive Committee. Although at differing levels of involvement today, each factored into the investigation’s scope of Jan. 1, 2000, through June 14, 2021. Below are the names of some key leaders mentioned as well

SBC TASK FORCE RELEASES REPORT

May 23, 2022

Southern Baptist leaders react swiftly to ‘devastating’ news Editor’s Note: The Southern Baptist Convention’s Sexual Abuse Task Force released the results of an independent investigation by Guidepost Solutions on Sunday, May 22, at 3 p.m. CST. The following story contains a synopsis of the results of the nearly 300-page report which can be read in its entirety at sataskforce.net. By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] NASHVILLE — Southern

IMB TRUSTEES APPOINT 56 MISSIONARIES, CELEBRATE WITH MISSIONARY EMERITI

May 23, 2022

By Leslie Peacock Caldwell IMB news office ORLANDO — International Mission Board trustees approved 56 new fully funded missionaries for appointment during their May 18-19 meeting in Orlando, Fla. The meeting was conducted in conjunction with the Celebration of Emeriti event held every five years to recognize retiring missionaries who have completed their service with the IMB. New missionaries approved for appointment will be recognized during a Sending Celebration on

EVANGELIST CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF MINISTRY

May 19, 2022

By Dianne Barker Contributing writer JOHNSON CITY — Tennessee evangelist Charles “Toonie” Cash recently surpassed a ministry milestone — 50 years in fulltime evangelism. Cash has served four terms as president of the Fellowship of Tennessee Baptist Evangelists. He has ministered in 18 states, preaching revival meetings and leading special conferences, teaching Bible studies and speaking for banquets and other events. “I understand the average stay for an evangelist in

HINDMAN: AGE-APPROPRIATE BIBLE TEACHING ‘IS CRITICAL’

May 17, 2022

By David Dawson [email protected] FRANKLIN — Ken Hindman believes there can be, and should be, more to teaching children about God than reading a Bible story and passing out Goldfish. Hindman, children’s pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, has spent years developing a teaching method that can be applied by parents, children’s workers and church leaders as they engage in teaching children and youth about the Lord and the

TENNESCENE: MAY 11

May 11, 2022

CHURCHES Willie McLaurin, interim CEO of the Southern Baptist Executive Committee, will be at First Baptist Church, Somerville, on May 22 from 2-4 p.m. to meet with pastors, staff and directors of mission in West Tennessee to answer questions about the upcoming Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif. It is an open meeting to ask questions about leadership issues. Pleasant View Baptist Church, Martin, will hold revival services

CHITWOOD SPEAKS AT UNION’S ANNUAL W.D. POWELL MISSIONS LECTURE

May 11, 2022

By Suzanne Rhodes Union University news office JACKSON — Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board, gave an address on the IMB’s missions throughout the nations, encouragement to Southern Baptist supporters and updates on its international responses during Union’s annual W.D. Powell Missions Lecture on April 26. Union president, Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, said he was delighted to host Chitwood on campus as he challenged the community and spent

News

SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPUDIATES STATEMENT OF FORMER ATTORNEY, PLEDGES TO ENGAGE WITH SURVIVORS