News

PRESNELL RETIRES AFTER NEARLY 70 YEARS AT THE KEYS

December 7, 2020

By Travis Tyler Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Elizabethton ELIZABETHTON — At age 13, Pat Presnell started playing the piano during a Wednesday night prayer meeting at Grace Baptist Church. She began playing for the Sunday morning service shortly after. The year was 1950. She continued to play for the church for nearly 70 years until retiring recently due to health reasons. Presnell was honored for her faithfulness to her church

TN BAPTIST MISSION BOARD TO PARTNER WITH STATE

December 7, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board is partnering with the state of Tennessee to bring hope and comfort to lonely senior adults. Tennessee Baptist volunteers will man the Tennessee Hope Line, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD). Dave Worland of the governor’s office observed that the Tennessee

A NEW TAKE ON AN OLD, OLD CHRISTMAS STORY

December 4, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — Everyone knows the story told in “The Christmas Carol” about an elderly man named Scrooge who thought Christmas was a waste of time and money. Now, thanks to the creative talents of Matt Tullos, assistant to the executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Cooperative Program/stewardship specialist, Tennessee Baptists have the opportunity to meet Mr. Finch (just happens

TBMB LEADER CHALLENGES ERLC OVER LANGUAGE IN AMICUS BRIEF

December 3, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — A state convention leader has publicly challenged the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for stating that there is a denominational hierarchy in an amicus brief filed by the SBC entity in August. “There is absolutely no denominational hierarchy when it comes to the Southern Baptist Convention,” Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission

TENNESCENE: DEC. 2

December 2, 2020

LEADERS Russ Wilkins, director of missions for Shiloh Baptist Association since 2018, will write the Explore the Bible Sunday School commentaries for the Dec.-Feb. quarter. Wilkins was born and raised in Millington, graduated from Union University, Jackson, and then worked there for four years. After serving as an admissions Counselor, he went into full-time ministry at First Baptist Church, Huntingdon, where he served the next 25 years in various roles

DAVIS: THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SBC HIERARCHY

December 2, 2020

By Randy C. Davis President and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Let’s make one thing clear from the outset: There is absolutely no denominational hierarchy when it comes to the Southern Baptist Convention. Seldom does my Clarity column address matters involving SBC or Tennessee Baptist Convention entities or institutions, and never in a negative manner. However, this column is birthed out of a significant burden I have regarding an issue

5TH U.S. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS RULES AGAINST NAMB

December 2, 2020

By Will Hall Baptist Message executive editor NEW ORLEANS – The North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has received another setback with regard to a lawsuit filed by Will McRaney, former executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and the decision sends the case back to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi for consideration on three key points. BACKDROP Previously, a three-judge

MCDONALD TO RECEIVE INAUGURAL CLARK AWARD

December 1, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — Mary McDonald has been chosen as the first recipient of the inaugural Paul B. Clark Church Music Ministry Award. The Paul B. Clark Church Music Ministry Award is presented by the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference to recognize individuals who exemplify outstanding, courageous leadership through their commitment, influence and contributions to the ministry through music in the local church, said

TAKING THE GOSPEL’S HOPE TO ITALY

December 1, 2020

Editor’s Note: Charlie and Shannon Worthy are the featured missionaries on Day 6 (Dec. 4) of the Week of Prayer for International Missions (Nov. 29-Dec. 6). The Worthys have strong ties to Tennessee with family in both West and Middle Tennessee. Charlie Worthy is a graduate of Union University in Jackson. They worked closely with Tennessee Baptists during a partnership with IMB personnel from 2010-2017. Two of their four children

FORMER HCBA PRESIDENT DIES

November 30, 2020

Baptist and Reflector KINGSPORT — William L. “Bill” Palmer died Nov. 25 at his home in Kingsport at the age of 99. Palmer was a longtime pastor in South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee and served as president of Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy (The King’s Academy) in Seymour for eight years. His Tennessee pastorates included First Baptist Church, Morristown, and Witt Baptist Church, Morristown. He also served as interim pastor of 20

News

PRESNELL RETIRES AFTER NEARLY 70 YEARS AT THE KEYS

TN BAPTIST MISSION BOARD TO PARTNER WITH STATE

A NEW TAKE ON AN OLD, OLD CHRISTMAS STORY