News

SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO HOST SBC ADVANCE JUNE 2

May 19, 2020

Baptist Press NASHVILLE — While the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting has been canceled for the first time since 1945, Southern Baptists will still be provided with an opportunity to hear from the entities of the Southern Baptist Convention through an online event June 2 hosted by the SBC Executive Committee. SBC Advance, a two-hour online event, is not designed to be a substitute for the annual meeting, but will provide

CARSON-NEWMAN LIGHTS CAMPUS IN HONOR OF 2020 GRADUATING CLASS

May 19, 2020

Carson-Newman News Office JEFFERSON CITY — Had the spring semester progressed normally, Carson-Newman University’s senior class would have walked the graduation stage on May 1. Instead, the University offered a commemorative lighting of the campus’ central building, Henderson Humanities Building, in seniors’ honor. A video showcasing the building’s lighting and highlights from the Class of 2020’s junior and senior years featured words of reassurance from Psalm 119:105: “Thy Word is

BCM SEEKS TO CONNECT FROM A DISTANCE

May 18, 2020

COVID-19 creates challenges, leads to new campaign to reach students By David Dawson [email protected] FRANKLIN — Connecting with incoming freshmen is always a high priority for Baptist Campus Ministry leaders. Attempting to make those connections this fall, however, is going to look much different than it has in the past. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the cancelation of many of the traditional functions that are held in the weeks before

TRUSTEES: IMB APPROVES 59 MISSIONARIES, ADDRESSES BUDGET CONCERNS

May 16, 2020

Baptist Press staff RICHMOND, Va. — During a virtual meeting May 13-14, trustees of the International Mission Board approved the appointment of 59 new missionaries and received an update on the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which has contributed directly to a shortfall of about $4 million in the IMB’s budget and necessitated spending cuts and a hiring freeze. Trustees also elected Christy Roberson as vice president of human

UNION UNIVERSITY SPRING COMMENCEMENT SET FOR JUNE 20

May 15, 2020

Union University news office JACKSON — Union University’s spring commencement ceremonies, originally scheduled for May 16, will be held June 20 on the university’s Great Lawn. To comply with social distancing guidelines, the university will hold three separate ceremonies that day – at 10 a.m. for students receiving graduate degrees, at 2 p.m. for non-traditional undergraduate students and at 6 p.m. for traditional undergraduate students. Union University President Samuel W.

HOW WORLD CHANGERS CHANGED BAPTIST MISSIONS

May 14, 2020

By Tess Schoonhoven Baptist Press NASHVILLE — Thirty years ago this summer, a group of 137 youth and adults spent a week in Appalachian coal country doing construction work on nine homes and sharing the Gospel in the neighborhoods where they worked. That pilot project in the East Tennessee community of Briceville marked the beginning of World Changers. The May 1 announcement from LifeWay Christian Resources that World Changers would

PRESSNELL SELECTED TO LEAD TBMB BIVOCATIONAL MINISTRY

May 14, 2020

Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist pastor Randy Pressnell has been chosen as the bivocational ministries specialist and Harvest Field 7 team leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Pressnell, retired recently as pastor of First Baptist Church, Oneida. He succeeds John Parrott, who retired May 7 after five years of service with the TBMB.

PREPARING AND CARING FOR ‘GUESTS’

May 14, 2020

Practical tips By Mark Proctor Associate Administrator, TBMB As churches began looking towards regathering for worship and events, there is much to be considered for those who are in charge of making sure that attendees feel safe and welcome on the church campus. The following is a list of some guidelines that will help church leaders:

TENNESCENE: MAY 13

May 14, 2020

LEADERS John Parrott, bivocational ministries specialist and Harvest Field 7 team leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board since 2015, retired May 7. Parrott has been involved in the ministry since 1969 when he was a student at Carson-Newman University. He was called to his first pastorate in 1972 and served as a pastor until 1995 when he became the director of missions for Holston Baptist Association, based in Rogersville.

STATE REOPENING PLANS A CONCERN FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, CHURCHES

May 13, 2020

By Diana Chandler Baptist Press SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Southern Baptist pastors in several states are concerned that governmental restrictions on reopening the economy might unduly impact churches. Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA) Executive Director Nate Adams said many pastors believe the five-phase “Restore Illinois” plan, released May 5 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, is too cautious. It limits gatherings to fewer than 50 people until a COVID-19 vaccine or effective treatment

News

SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO HOST SBC ADVANCE JUNE 2