Opinion Column

hand,Bible, world, missions, map, globe

MISSIONS SUPPORT: NO RESERVES, NO RETREATS, NO REGRETS!

Blake Montgomery Pastor, First Baptist Church, Sneedville As I began planning for sharing this year’s information on the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering at our church, I recently read the inspiring account of another missionary who God called and used in a unique way. William Borden’s life is a story that should challenge every church and Christian in the areas of missions, leadership, and ministry. William Whiting Borden was 16 years

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Hispanic Man, elderly, homeless

LOVING THE STRANGER

By Carlos Ferrer Executive Vice President, NAMB I escaped communist Cuba in 1962 as an 11-year-old boy hiding at the bottom of a cargo ship with my family. We had nothing but each other when we arrived in the United States. Through the love and hospitality of Southern Baptist strangers, my family received assistance that not only helped us in our journey toward citizenship, but helped us in our faith

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TBC CHURCHES NEED THOSE ‘AHA’ MOMENTS

Editor’s Note: It’s not too late to attend a Church Revitalization Conference March 14-15 at Union University in Jackson. For more information, contact Steve Holt at [email protected]. Bob Brown Church Revitalization Specialist, TBC I suppose everyone has experienced that moment when something about which you were clueless suddenly becomes very clear. I have vivid memories of such a moment in my ninth grade algebra class. I had struggled for a

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IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO CHOOSE: HOW WILL YOU VOTE?

By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC I sat down in a movie theatre with my 13-year-old daughter and I located the doors as I did. We would have been the first fatalities if someone stormed in with guns blazing. We moved. I was recently at an upscale mall and passed two ladies who were obviously Muslims. I looked closely to see if I could detect any sign of an

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Before it Hits the Press

WILL COMMON SENSE PREVAIL?

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Tennessee legislators have an incredible opportunity next week to prove that common sense is alive and well in the Volunteer State. Whether they have the courage to make such a decision remains to be seen. Legislators are considering HB2414 which is sponsored by Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Old Hickory, and Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville. The bill is referred to as the “Bathroom Bill.” See story

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ANSWERS STARTING TO COME FROM IMB

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector In the Jan. 27 issue I wrote a column expressing concern about the lack of information coming out of the International Mission Board. The IMB had made some major decisions about needing to cut between 600 and 800 missionary/staff positions due to overspending by $210 million over the past five years or so. In addition, the IMB announced it was eliminating its Communications

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THE IMB: HOW DID WE GET HERE?

By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director It was a dark day two weeks ago when International Mission Board President David Platt stepped to the microphone to inform Southern Baptists that 983 missionaries and 149 IMB staffers were stepping away from their involvement in taking the gospel to the nations. Dr. Platt described it best when he spoke of the “heaviness” of the day. I agreed, and wondered, “How’d we

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WILL TENNESSEE’S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FLUSH BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES DOWN THE TOILET?

By David Fowler President, Family Action Council of Tennessee When I got into state politics 22 years ago, I never thought I would see the legislature having to debate certain things like who can use a bathroom designated for males. But perhaps the most shocking thing of all is that the Tennessee Department of Education is officially okay with our public schools allowing boys to use the restrooms and locker

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THE INTERSECTION OF PASSION AND NEED

Chad Morris Assoc. Dir., Campus Ministries, Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City It happened in a group from Carson-Newman University when a student, who was determined to party and to “get away from it all,” found Jesus. It happened while students hiked into the hills of Guatemala to give clean drinking water access to a mother of nine. It took place while providing medical care and praying with individuals in small remote

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American, teen, African, children, kids

RAISING MISSIONS-MINDED KIDS

By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing Columnist, B&R As a family unit, the Jones’ clan adopts one large missions project each year. “As our children are involved in missions organizations, I believe, parents must set an example of service,” ”says Mr. Jones. “That’s why the children find extra chores and small jobs in the neighborhood and save these funds for helping the homeless in our community. We work together.”

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Hispanic Man, elderly, homeless

LOVING THE STRANGER

By Carlos Ferrer Executive Vice President, NAMB I escaped communist Cuba in 1962 as an 11-year-old boy hiding at the bottom of a cargo ship

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