By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director At the end of the day on May 20, the members of the team working at what has been called the Baptist Center will leave the building for the last time and watch the doors close on 45 years of ministry. We’re moving, ending one chapter in Tennessee Baptist history and beginning a new one. Our building in Brentwood has been the hub

By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing Columnist, B&R I watched as a pair of mockingbirds built a nest near a window of our home. When time came for the female to lay eggs and stay on the nest, the male brought her tasty insects. But other than food, he sang to her. Long into the night, he serenaded her with a wide repertoire of melodies. Later when the three fledglings hatched, the

By Johnnie Godwin Contributing Columnist, B&R “Your daddy is soooo slow!” said my mother from my growing-up days till the close of their retirement days. More recently, one of my sons said about the hurried nature of life today, “Jesus was slow!” I didn’t take exception to Mother’s statement because Dad was slow unless he got in a hurry. But I put a caveat on and a sermonette to my

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector All my life I have heard the phrase, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.” Well, we can add change to that list. Change is going to occur. If you don’t believe it, look in the mirror. Then, go find a picture of yourself five, 10, or 20 years ago. Every person is proof positive that change occurs. Change is necessary to be relevant

By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director The words of Jesus pierce my heart as I read the facts about the state of children in our country. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: There are more than 640,000 children in our country who spent time in out-of-home care (in foster care) during 2012 — nearly 400,000 of them on any given day. Children in foster care

By Jenna Fleming Writer/Member, Union Avenue Baptist Church It was a year ago that I miscarried our third child. A strong heartbeat one week became faint and irregular a couple weeks later. The ultrasound room was darker than normal on that day. I have two healthy girls, and I know how a “normal” pregnancy is supposed to go, so when the ultrasound tech struggled to find my baby’s heartbeat only

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector When we think of Easter, usually two images come to mind — the Cross and the empty tomb. Both are important and are visual reminders of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for you and me. My personal favorite is that of the empty tomb. The empty tomb symbolizes our hope for eternity.

By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director I’ll never again drive across the overpasses heading into downtown Chattanooga without thinking about Tree Man Smith, God’s determined love for the destitute, and the Cooperative Program. Tree Man — or “Tree” as his friends call him — is homeless and has been since 2004. The refuge taken under Chattanooga’s many overpasses has been his only protection from the elements. Tree is nicknamed