News

HOWE TO SERVE AS INTERIM SBC EC PRESIDENT AND CEO

NASHVILLE — Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee Chairman Philip Robertson announced to EC members on Aug. 18 that Jonathan Howe will take over the role of interim EC president and CEO following the sudden resignation of Willie McLaurin on Aug. 17. “The SBC Executive Committee’s bylaws require that the Executive Committee officers appoint an existing SBC Executive Committee Vice President to serve temporarily, pending full trustee board approval,” Robertson said

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SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RESUMES SEARCH FOR NEXT CEO FOLLOWING MCLAURIN RESIGNATION

NASHVILLE — The leader of the committee searching for the next president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee says they are resuming their search. The committee is receiving resumes following the surprise resignation of Willie McLaurin from the SBC EC on Aug. 17. McLaurin stepped down from his role as interim president and CEO of the EC after confessing to falsifying educational credentials on his resume. He had been

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STUDENTS WELCOMED WITH ‘PRAYER, POP AND POPSICLES’

CHATTANOOGA — On a warm day at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, students were treated to Prayer, Pop and Popsicles from the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. A student-led event, the refreshments opened up doors for spiritual conversations. “If they don’t know what (prayer) is or have questions about it, it opens up a good conversation about what is prayer, why do we pray, why are we out here doing this,” said

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C-N OPENS NEW ACADEMIC BUILDING

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University officially opened the doors to its first new academic building in over a decade on Aug. 8. Hundreds gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Drama and Ted Russell Center, home to the University’s School of Health Sciences. Along with a ribbon cutting, guests took part in self-guided tours of the facility. “What a wonderful day in the life of our university,” said Carson-Newman

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RECOVERY CENTER CONTINUES TO SEE SUCCESS STORIES

JASPER — Danniele Geer felt there was no way out. She was in jail, had tried every drug, had no home and “didn’t have nobody.” But through the work of Champion Recovery Christian Women’s Job Corp in Jasper, Geer is now holding down a job for the first time in 12 years and, more importantly, discovering the transformation only Jesus can bring. Initially, Geer was mad at God and wanted

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HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS LEARN TO FIT IN GOD’S MISSION AT MEDADVANCE 2023

BRENTWOOD — Doctors, dietitians, nurses, community health workers and more bustled around Brentwood Baptist Church for MedAdvance 2023, a Southern Baptist International Mission Board conference held Aug. 3-5 for believers interested in using healthcare strategies to open doors to a hurting world and gain access to unreached peoples and places in unique ways. Approximately 300 attendees, including 60 percent who are students, were given opportunities to connect with IMB missionaries

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HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS LEARN TO FIT IN GOD’S MISSION AT MEDADVANCE 2023

BRENTWOOD — Doctors, dietitians, nurses, community health workers and more bustled around Brentwood Baptist Church for MedAdvance 2023, a Southern Baptist International Mission Board conference held Aug. 3-5 for believers interested in using healthcare strategies to open doors to a hurting world and gain access to unreached peoples and places in unique ways. Approximately 300 attendees, including 60 percent who are students, were given opportunities to connect with IMB missionaries

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MCLAURIN RESIGNS AS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

NASHVILLE — Willie McLaurin has resigned immediately as interim president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention after it was revealed he falsified his academic credentials. McLaurin has been serving in the interim role since February 2022 following the October 2021 resignation of Ronnie Floyd. McLaurin was the first African American to lead an SBC entity. Philip Robertson, chairman of the SBC Executive Committee, released the news late

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TENNESSEE BAPTISTS RESPOND TO WILDFIRES IN HAWAII

MOUNT JULIET — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board has sent $15,000 in disaster relief funds to aid Hawaii Baptists ministering in the wake of a wildfire that devastated the island of Maui in early August. CNN reported Aug. 17 there have been 111 deaths and hundreds of others are still missing. The efforts of Tennessee Baptists coincide with efforts of Southern Baptists nationwide.

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RICKMAN RECOGNIZED FOR LOYALTY

FRANKLIN — When Gary Rickman was recognized for his 50 years of service, he handled the moment in much the same manner that he has handled so many things in his ministry: With a smile on his face.  Rickman — who officially retired from full-time ministry in 2016 but has continued to serve in a variety of roles since then — was presented with a plaque and a heartfelt ovation

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