News

OCC HONORS ALDRIDGE’S LOYALTY

WAVERLY — Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Franklin Graham’s Samaritans Purse, recently honored the leadership and contributions of Tennessee Baptist Jean Aldridge. Aldridge, who passed away in early October, was a charter member of Three Rivers Fellowship in Waverly. For 13 years, she led members to fill shoeboxes for children in need as part of OCC. Aldridge was first introduced to Operation Christmas Child at FBC, Waverly, where she

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TBMB RESTRUCTURES STAFF TO SUPPORT ACTS 2:17 INITIATIVE

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB) announced today a series of staff changes as part of a restructuring plan aimed at better addressing ministry needs affirmed through the Acts 2:17 Initiative. The restructuring involves phasing out some legacy positions, leading to layoffs allowing the reallocation of resources toward roles needed to support the initiative’s mission. “These are important days of transition for Tennessee Baptists and the TBMB

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TENNESCENE: JAN. 8

PEOPLE Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Maryville, held a special lunch for retiring pastor Gary McCammon and his wife Penny on Jan. 5. The McCammons are moving to Georgia to be near their family. Levi Sanders will be the new lead pastor of Cedar Grove. CHURCHES First Baptist Church, Winchester, will hold revival services Jan. 26-31 with guest preacher Patrick Waller, pastor of College Street Baptist Church, Tullahoma. Sam O’Neal of

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YEAR-IN-REVIEW: THE MOST-READ STORIES ON B&R WEBSITE

By David Dawson [email protected] FRANKLIN — The Baptist and Reflector’s website had a record-breaking year in 2024, setting new high-water marks in “reader engagement” and other categories.  Listed below is a recap of some of the website’s most popular stories over the past 12 months:  Title: Confessions of a Concerned Baptist Writer: Randy C. Davis Date Posted: May 1, 2024 Summary: Roughly one month before the SBC annual meeting, Randy C.

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2024: A RECORD-BREAKING, HISTORY-MAKING YEAR

FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist experienced a most historic 2024 marked by unique milestones and events that ranged from the celebratory to the tragic.  Hurricane Helene: Hurricane Helene devastated East Tennessee in September, triggering the largest disaster relief response in state Baptist history.  The storm, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph sustained winds, weakened to a tropical storm before dumping up to 30 inches

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TENN. BAPTIST DR: TEAMS NEEDED ASAP FOR REMODEL IN EAST TENN.

FRANKLIN — Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, announced on Friday, Jan. 3, that teams are needed as soon as possible to complete remodeling jobs in East Tennessee. Jones noted that the homes need remodeling after being gutted in the flood recovery process.  Jones said that team leaders and individuals who are available to work  should contact Kaye Thomas at 615-969-0410. The housing location is

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MCDONOUGH LEAVES LEGACY OF EVANGELISM

Renowned Baptist leader and church-planting specialist Reginald “Reggie” McDonough passed away on Dec. 24 at the age of 88. McDonough became one of the top Southern Baptist leaders while traveling the globe, teaching Christian church planters the importance of strategic planning in building and maintaining congregations for the Glory of the Lord. 

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JIMMY CARTER REMEMBERED FOR SPEAKING OPENLY ABOUT HIS FAITH

PLAINS, Ga. — Former United States President Jimmy Carter, who spoke of his faith more openly than other modern leaders, taught a Baptist Sunday School class for decades and became the nation’s longest-lived president, died Sunday, Dec. 29, at age 100. A member of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., Carter was a third generation Southern Baptist and the first U.S. president to call himself a “born again” Christian. Despite

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A CHURCH THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

CORRYTON — Over the past 22 years, Corryton Church has given away nearly $1 million dollars of gifts and goods to families in East Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky.  And the church apparently has no plans of stopping.  This year, the church focused much of its attention on flood victims in Chuckey, including hosting a party at the South Central Elementary School on Dec. 7.  The school chose the “invitiees” (who

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TBC CP YEAR STARTS STRONG

FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches got the 2024-25 budget year off to a strong start with gifts of $2,913,890 through the Cooperative Program in November.  The gifts are $148,386 or 5.4 percent more than what was given during the first month of the last fiscal year. Gifts are just $2,777 or 0.10 percent below budget needs.  “We are grateful for the continuing commitment of Tennessee Baptists to fund Great

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OCC HONORS ALDRIDGE’S LOYALTY

WAVERLY — Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Franklin Graham’s Samaritans Purse, recently honored the leadership and contributions of Tennessee Baptist Jean Aldridge. Aldridge, who

Read More »

TENNESCENE: JAN. 8

PEOPLE Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Maryville, held a special lunch for retiring pastor Gary McCammon and his wife Penny on Jan. 5. The McCammons are

Read More »

TBC CP YEAR STARTS STRONG

FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches got the 2024-25 budget year off to a strong start with gifts of $2,913,890 through the Cooperative Program in

Read More »