ELIZABETHTON — It’s been a month since Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in northeast Tennessee but Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are still on the job. The TBDR incident command post that was previously at First Baptist Church in Dandridge transitioned last week to Grace Baptist Church, Elizabethton. The command post, led by John and Kaye Thomas, takes over cleanup efforts previously coordinated by Texas Baptists in Johnson City. The Texas

NEWPORT — While hurting people in Cocke County and other counties in northeast Tennessee welcomed Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers, not as much help was needed because members of local churches already were helping each other and their neighbors.  “It is amazing what the Lord has done through our churches,” said Mike Hensley, director of missions for East Tennessee Baptist Association.  Every one of the association’s 38 churches (of which

DANDRIDGE — When Kathy Henry was first approached about being a disaster relief chaplain she was hesitant because she saw it as more of a pastoral role.  “I didn’t know if I was equipped to be a chaplain,” she said.  After prayer and counsel from her husband Brock (who also is a DR volunteer) and a trusted friend, she agreed to accept the role and was trained as a chaplain

LIMESTONE — Craig Ponder’s first impression of the ATV four-wheeler gang congregating in the church’s parking lot was not good.  “I thought they were a bunch of tourists coming to check out the flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene,” he said. “I was wrong, and I’ve since apologized. They were people coming to check on family members and friends cut off and stranded on the other side of the river.” 

MOUNTAIN CITY — Long before disaster relief volunteers could even get into Mountain City, pastor David Hankal and members of Roan Creek Baptist Church were out in the community checking on neighbors and fellow church members.  “We took meals provided by the Salvation Army to people who could not get out and did welfare checks, among a variety of things” said Roan Creek pastor David Hankal.  “Our church people are

GREENEVILLE — Approximately 50 pastors, directors of missions and other church leaders gathered with community and business leaders Oct. 18 for the initial meeting of Operation Arise and Build, based on Nehemiah 2:18. The meeting was sponsored by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and hosted by First Baptist Church, Greeneville. Attendees also included Monty Burks and Suzanna Hendricks of the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Division and Carol