News

MISSION TEAM SEES SALVATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

SOMERVILLE—A team of four mission volunteers serving on the Cross Partners Ministry team returned last month from two weeks in the Republic of the Philippines. They served with over 10 churches in two different Baptist associations and participated in over 40 evangelistic crusades with the Filipino Baptists on Luzon Island. Led by Dr. Charles Pratt, president and founder of the Cross Partners Ministry, Inc., the team saw 2,897 professions of

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FBC SELMER HOSTING DR TEAMS AFTER TORNADOES

SELMER — Sometimes the best way to help is by assisting those who are assisting others.  That’s exactly what First Baptist Church Selmer is doing in the wake of the deadly tornadoes that tore through parts of Tennessee during the first week in April.  With the church’s ROC building (which, fittingly, stands for “Reaching Our Community”) serving as home base, FBC Selmer is housing Disaster Relief volunteers from Alabama. Will

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PROMINENT TENNESSEE BAPTIST DONOR DIES AT 81

NASHVILLE — Businessman and entrepreneur James Wesley “Jim” Ayers died on April 1, 2025, after battling several health issues. He was 81. Born in Parsons, Tenn., Ayers lived by the Bible verse from Luke 12:48: “To whom much is given, much is expected.” This principle guided his extensive business career and philanthropic efforts. A self-described entrepreneur since childhood, Ayers began shining shoes for 10 cents a pair. By age 10,

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STORM DAMAGE FORCES PARTIAL CLOSURE OF UNION’S LARGEST BUILDING

JACKSON — A weather event, likely a microburst carrying heavy rain and intense winds, caused major damage to the west end of Union University’s Penick Academic Complex April 3 around 8:30 p.m. No students or personnel were injured. Union canceled all classes and activities in the PAC on Friday as contractors and engineers assessed the damage and university leaders made plans for how to manage the disruption. “I want to

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ETHNIC SBC FELLOWSHIPS ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON IMMIGRATION

DALLAS (BP) – Leaders of 13 Southern Baptist ethnic groups have approved a joint statement on immigration seeking religious liberty protections, compassion without demonization and enforcement options including fines or other penalties in lieu of deportation. Signers of the statement said they share the “federal government’s desire to protect citizens, promote legal immigration and refugee policies, and robustly safeguard the country’s borders.” But “enforcement must be accompanied with compassion that

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TENNESCENE: APR. 2

CHURCHES The members of Central Bearden Church, in West Knoxville, voted in a Special Called Business Meeting, March 9, to elect Rev. J. C. (James Calvin) Neely as their new Senior Pastor.  Neely is a graduate of Carson-Newman University and earned the Master of Divinity Degree at the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University.  He has 20 years of Pastoral Experience with most of that at Fellowship Church in

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WMU SET TO GATHER AT FBC DICKSON

DICKSON — The Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) will host its annual Missions Get-Together on Friday and Saturday, April 4-5, at First Baptist Dickson, according to event coordinator Vickie Anderson, who has been involved with the event for almost 30 years. The gathering features general sessions, breakout sessions, a missions fair, and — new this year — a missions-focused family game night. “Through our breakout sessions, we try to cover

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MARYVILLE REVEREND DIES AT 82

MARYVILLE—Reverend Charles Joseph Ballard Jr. went to be with his Lord and Savior, surrounded by the love of his family, on Saturday, March 29, at the age of 82. He was born at the Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., on February 19, 1943. He graduated from Central High School in 1961, attended Memphis State University, and then went on to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Growing up

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FOUR GENERATIONS FROM ONE FAMILY BAPTIZED AT HICKORY VALLEY

Baptist and Reflector SPARTA — Hickory Valley Baptist Church in Sparta has been the site of four generations of baptisms from one family. The sequence of baptisms, which has taken place over many years, started when Tommy and Nancy Lynn were baptized. Next was their daughter, Sherry McDonald, followed by Sherry’s daughter, Shayna Rowland, and then, recently, Shayna’s daughter Lyla Rowland. In the top photo, pastor Doug Benningfield stands with

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BARBIER’S JOURNEY: FAITH THROUGH THE FIRE

FRANKLIN — In a moving testimony of faith and resilience, Jay Barbier, Harvest Field Leader with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, recently joined the Tennessee Golden Hour Podcast and shared his powerful journey through cancer diagnosis and treatment, revealing how his faith not only sustained him but deepened through the trial. Barbier, who led youth evangelism initiatives including YEC (Youth Evangelism Conference) and Conclave, was diagnosed with cancer in September

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TENNESCENE: APR. 2

CHURCHES The members of Central Bearden Church, in West Knoxville, voted in a Special Called Business Meeting, March 9, to elect Rev. J. C. (James

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