JACKSON — Adrian Knipper loves the Lord, and he loves people. As a pastor for almost 30 years, Knipper has visited, counseled and prayed with many people. In 2017, Knipper retired as pastor of Porter’s Creek Baptist Church in Middleton after an extended illness left him homebound and confined to a wheelchair. At the time, he had no idea that his prayer ministry was about to multiply exponentially. “(The
LEADERS Members of Brainerd Baptist Church, Chattanooga, voted Dec. 4 to call Curtis Hill as senior pastor. Hill visited Brainerd Baptist more than 23 years ago while a first-year seminary student at Tennessee Temple in Chattanooga. Tom Meade, chairman of the pastor search committee, noted: “Today, we welcome that same man to this sanctuary to become the next senior pastor.” For the past 15 years, Hill served as senior pastor
WHITE PINE — A spike in fuel costs has created a response of biblical proportions. Danny Newman, Bill Etter and fellow servants involved in Jefferson County Baptist Association Disaster Relief are volunteering scores of hours weekly to provide firewood to those in need. Working from a White Pine staging area, the trained emergency responders collect, cut and split wood. The ministry has several purposes. According to the group’s landing page
Stephanie Evans, a nationally-certified counselor and mental health expert, shared with the Baptist and Reflector some ideas about helping those who are dealing with grief, depression or general sadness during the holidays. Here are what she considers to be three of the most vital ways to help: Be aware. Your family, friends, and/or coworkers might be experiencing internal struggles due to grieving a significant loss in their lives. Be aware
FRANKLIN — For most people, the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas are firmly linked to merriment and joy. It’s a time of celebration, singing, gift-giving and time-honored family traditions. But what about those who are not experiencing comfort and joy? Research reveals that vast amounts of individuals deal with grief, loneliness, anxiety and/or depression during the holidays. The World Health Organization and National Alliance on Mental Illness report that individuals
LAVERGNE — Brady Cooper, senior pastor of New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, received advice from a mentor that came in handy as the church sought to help revitalize First Baptist Church, LaVergne, a church about 20 minutes north of New Vision. “Before you go making big decisions, look around and see what God’s doing.” In a model the megachurch had never before undertaken, it led a merger between First
CORDOVA — Longtime church music leader Martha H. Kirkland has been chosen as the third recipient of the annual Paul B. Clark Church Music Ministry Award. The award is presented by the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference to recognize individuals who exemplify outstanding, courageous leadership through their commitment, influence and contributions to the ministry through music in the local church, said Scott Shepherd, worship and music specialist for the Tennessee
FRANKLIN — A scholarship fund for children to attend the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Journey Camp has been established by the family of Linda Chinery. Linda Chinery, who died Nov. 5 in Stuart, Fla., served as part-time Journey Camp director from 2006-2016. “She was very active in children’s ministry and Vacation Bible School across the state,” said Tim Bearden, retired director of the Tennessee Baptist Conference Centers. In addition to
NASHVILLE — On Christmas Day, churches plan to welcome “all ye faithful” and anyone else who wants to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, and for most pastors, that gives them all the more reason to gather. More than 5 in 6 U.S. Protestant pastors (84 percent) say their church plans to have services on Christmas Day, according to a Lifeway Research study. Slightly
KNOXVILLE — John Green highly recommended glow sticks and nighttime running gear for his church’s inaugural 5K Moon Run/Walk. Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, where Green is senior pastor, hosted the nighttime fun run Dec. 2 at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville. Dubbed the Moon Run in memory of Lottie Moon, a Southern Baptist missionary to China from 1873 to 1912, proceeds from the event will raise funds for the Lottie
JACKSON — Adrian Knipper loves the Lord, and he loves people. As a pastor for almost 30 years, Knipper has visited, counseled and prayed with
LEADERS Members of Brainerd Baptist Church, Chattanooga, voted Dec. 4 to call Curtis Hill as senior pastor. Hill visited Brainerd Baptist more than 23 years
WHITE PINE — A spike in fuel costs has created a response of biblical proportions. Danny Newman, Bill Etter and fellow servants involved in Jefferson
Stephanie Evans, a nationally-certified counselor and mental health expert, shared with the Baptist and Reflector some ideas about helping those who are dealing with grief,
FRANKLIN — For most people, the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas are firmly linked to merriment and joy. It’s a time of celebration, singing, gift-giving
LAVERGNE — Brady Cooper, senior pastor of New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, received advice from a mentor that came in handy as the church
CORDOVA — Longtime church music leader Martha H. Kirkland has been chosen as the third recipient of the annual Paul B. Clark Church Music Ministry
FRANKLIN — A scholarship fund for children to attend the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Journey Camp has been established by the family of Linda Chinery.
NASHVILLE — On Christmas Day, churches plan to welcome “all ye faithful” and anyone else who wants to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christmas falls
KNOXVILLE — John Green highly recommended glow sticks and nighttime running gear for his church’s inaugural 5K Moon Run/Walk. Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, where Green