News

FORMER TBC PRESIDENT DOUG SAGER DIES

Baptist and Reflector KNOXVILLE — Longtime Tennessee Baptist pastor Doug Sager died Feb. 24. He was 78. Sager, who was president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 1998, served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Concord, in Knoxville, from 1992-2013 when he retired. Retirement did not last long as he began serving soon after as interim pastor of Vonore Baptist Church, Vonore, and was later called as pastor where he

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CHURCH GIVES PROPERTY, LAND FOR REPLANT

Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — South Gate Baptist Church in Nashville has given its building and 11 acres, valued at $750,000, to Iglesia Bautista Renacer. The signing of paperwork on Jan. 7 marked the celebration and culmination of months of study and prayer by members of South Gate, according to Rusty Sumrall, director of missions for Nashville Baptist Association Sumrall said that South Gate began looking into revitalization in the

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EC CONSIDERS DC CONVENTION, MISSION BOARD MERGER

Baptist Press NASHVILLE — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has given the District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC) 90 days to “secure” the “the removal of any churches from its fellowship that have demonstrated a faith or practice affirming, approving or endorsing homosexual behavior,” according to a recommendation adopted by the EC Feb. 20. If such churches remain in friendly cooperation with the DCBC after that period, the DCBC will

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EDITORS AFFIRM STATE EXECS

Baptist and Reflector GALVESTON, Texas — During the annual meeting of the Association of State Baptist Publications held Feb. 12-15 in Galveston, Texas, Baptist editors affirmed the work of Baptist state convention executive directors. Editors unanimously adopted “A Resolution of Appreciation for State Executive Directors.” The resolution was presented by Gerald Harris, editor of The Christian Index in Georgia, who noted he enjoys a good relationship with his state executive

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FOR ‘CHUBBY CHALLENGE’ PARTICIPANTS, LESS IS MORE

Davis encouraging Tennessee Baptists to put high priority on health and fitness By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — When Tennessee Baptist Mission Board president and executive director Randy C. Davis first launched a fitness initiative — called “The Chubby Challenge” — in January of 2015, he encouraged the participants to lose 10 percent of their body weight. Ryan Culpepper, the pastor of the Mary’s Chapel Baptist Church, proved

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MERRITT TO HEADLINE EVANGELISM RALLY

By Nathan Handley Union University JACKSON — James Merritt, lead pastor at Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Ga., will be the keynote speaker at the third annual West Tennessee Evangelism Rally on March 4 at Union University.

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TN BAPTISTS REFLECT ON BILLY GRAHAM

Baptist & Reflector  “Dr. Billy Graham was indeed America’s pastor and a great global ambassador for Christ. His gospel-centered message was always clear as he made one simple appeal, ‘Come to Jesus.’ As a Southern Baptist, he epitomized everything good about our Great Commission focus.” Randy C. Davis, TBMB president and executive director

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BILLY GRAHAM DIES AT AGE 99

Tennessee Baptists Remember Graham’s Last Crusade in Nashville Editor’s Note: A post with quotes from Tennessee Baptists about the impact of Billy Graham and his ministry is also available. By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, B&R FRANKLIN — Southern Baptists’ (and the world’s) most widely recognized evangelist died Feb. 21 in Montreat, N.C., at the age of 99. Known as “America’s pastor,” Billy Graham reached millions of people with the gospel over

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GROUP MAKES POSITIVE STRIDES TOWARD FITNESS

By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — For many people, “going for a walk” is a leisurely activity. For the members of the Striders Club, it’s serious business. Each lap around the track at the Tusculum Hills Baptist Church family life center is purposeful for the roughly 100 individuals who make up the club. The members of the group keep detailed logs of their “mileage” and those who reach

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EXERCISE ROUTINE BECOMES MINISTRY TOOL

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector SEVIERVILLE — When Justin Randolph signed up more than a year ago for a month’s membership at a fitness club, he thought he was doing it in order to spend time with his wife and get some exercise. Little did he know that the membership would not only accomplish that goal, but it also would lead to an opportunity for Christian ministry and

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EDITORS AFFIRM STATE EXECS

Baptist and Reflector GALVESTON, Texas — During the annual meeting of the Association of State Baptist Publications held Feb. 12-15 in Galveston, Texas, Baptist editors

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BILLY GRAHAM DIES AT AGE 99

Tennessee Baptists Remember Graham’s Last Crusade in Nashville Editor’s Note: A post with quotes from Tennessee Baptists about the impact of Billy Graham and his

Read More »