Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — For the second time in three years, Tennessee Baptist Convention churches have met their adopted Cooperative Program budget. In October, Tennessee Baptists gave $3,123,108 through the Cooperative Program, closing out the year on a positive note. For the year-to-date, Tennessee Baptists gave $34,604,572, an increase of $745,213 or 2.2 percent over the previous year.

By Tobin Perry Special to the Baptist and Reflector COLUMBIA — As Noel Garzón compares his visa photo from four years ago to the one this past year, he can see a change. No, it’s not extra weight, a different haircut nor simply a different shirt. It’s much more profound. “I’m smiling now,” Garzón said. “My eyes are different. I’ve got joy in my life now.”