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BIDEN ENACTS LAW PROTECTING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

December 14, 2022

WASHINGTON — Same-sex marriage is now protected in federal law. President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) on Dec. 13 and thereby finalized landmark legislation that redefines the world’s oldest institution. Five days after Congress completed passage, Biden enacted a bill that mandates federal and state recognition of any same-sex marriage considered legal in the jurisdiction where it took place. Although the new law does not require states

FERRELL STEPS DOWN AS TBC REGISTRATION SECRETARY

December 13, 2022

FRANKLIN — When the final gavel sounded at Summit on Nov. 16, an era ended. Dan Ferrell completed his 30th and last year as registration secretary for the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Ferrell also will conclude his service as a staff member of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board on Dec. 31. He is the second longest tenured staff member with 39 years of service, just behind Andy Gunn who has served

STRATEGIC PLAN ‘PROTINUS’ TO FRAME UNION’S EFFORTS THROUGH 2027

December 12, 2022

JACKSON — Union University trustees in their Dec. 2 meeting approved a strategic plan that will guide the university’s operational goals and planning over the next five years. The strategic plan is entitled “Protinus,” which is a Latin word that means “to move immediately, forward, continuously, uninterruptedly, as from the very first,” according to Union University President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver. “The principle of strategic plans is important for institutions,”

TENNESSEE MINISTERS’ WIVES CONNECT DURING SUMMIT

December 12, 2022

CORDOVA — The Lord’s faithfulness was the theme of the Ministers’ Wives gathering and luncheon at the annual Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Summit on Nov. 14-15 at Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova. The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board sponsored two events for ministers’ wives. The Good Cup, a coffee and dessert fellowship on Nov. 14, promoted friendships and connections and included games and door prizes. The annual luncheon on Nov. 15, featured

PRE-CHRISTMAS EVENT KEEPS FOCUS ON JESUS

December 9, 2022

NEWPORT — Debra Perrigan learned years ago that it is easy to get so caught up in getting ready for Christmas, that you can miss the true reason for the season. As a result, Perrigan developed Christmas in November, an event for women to remind them that Jesus needs to be the focus of Christmas and to show them ways to keep Christmas from becoming too stressful. Perrigan, food service

ROUSE, FORMER TBC PRESIDENT, SET TO RETIRE IN AUGUST

December 9, 2022

HERMITAGE — Poly Rouse, pastor of Hermitage Hills Baptist Church, Hermitage, will retire Aug. 20, 2023, after 23 years of ministry with the Nashville-area congregation. Rouse joined the church on Aug. 20, 2000 from a staff position at First Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Hermitage Hills was his first and only pastorate. “It’s been a good run for us,” Rouse said. “We’ve been blessed with a wonderful journey and wonderful

WOMEN ON MISSION PROVIDE WELL IN PUERTO RICO

December 8, 2022

KINGSPORT — Touched by the story of a church in Puerto Rico that didn’t have consistent access to water, Betty Cress mobilized her Women on Mission group at Beulah Baptist Church in Kingsport to fundraise for a well in 2020. Little did they know that in September 2022, the well would be the sole water source for a whole city and would also be the means for introducing people to

TENNESCENE: DEC. 7

December 7, 2022

DEATHS Albert Wardin, a prolific historian who helped make the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives (SBHLA) a global hotspot for Baptist researchers, died Nov. 14. He was 94. A research room in the SBHLA is named after Wardin. A history professor at Belmont University in Nashville for more than a quarter century, Wardin authored more than 10 books along with dozens of scholarly articles and pamphlets. Baptists Around the

CP BUDGET YEAR BEGINS

December 7, 2022

FRANKLIN — The 2022-23 Cooperative Budget year has begun with Tennessee Baptist Convention churches contributing $2,765,504 in November. The amount is $188,623 or 6.4 percent below what was given in November of last year and is $151,164 or 5.16 percent below budget needs after the first month. “We are grateful for the faithful generosity of Tennessee Baptists to give in order to meet mission and ministry needs in our state

PKS FROM TENNESSEE REAP BENEFITS OF LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING

December 5, 2022

CORDOVA — Robert and Maridith Lane knew all about the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering long before they became missionaries with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board in 2011. Both of them have dads who are ministers and both are products of Tennessee Baptist churches. Lane grew up in Faith Baptist Church, Atoka, where his dad, Bob Lane, was pastor for many years. Bob Lane is now

News

BIDEN ENACTS LAW PROTECTING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

FERRELL STEPS DOWN AS TBC REGISTRATION SECRETARY

STRATEGIC PLAN ‘PROTINUS’ TO FRAME UNION’S EFFORTS THROUGH 2027