By Johnnie C. Godwin Contributing Columnist, B&R  In September 2001, I was in Moscow at the Cosmos Hotel when my phone rang at 11 p.m. Surprisingly, it was Andrei — a friend we had met in 1989. Andrei urgently wanted to meet with me before he and his family would emigrate from Russia within 48 hours. We agreed to meet in a fast-food kiosk near the hotel; and I learned

By Clay Hallmark President, Tennessee Baptist Convention Listen to these words from John 9:1-5 from the Christian Standard Bible: As he (Jesus) was passing by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed

Editor’s note: Longtime Tennessee Baptist pastor, director of missions and TBMB staff member John Parrott died April 26 after a lengthy battle with COVID-19. John Parrott was a friend and mentor to countless people within the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Joe Sorah shared his thoughts about his friend and co-laborer in a recent devotion for TBMB staff. By Joe Sorah Harvest Field 5 Team Leader, TBMB A few months ago, Danny

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] Three staff members of the communications team (which includes the Baptist and Reflector) of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board recently learned that we had been recognized by the Baptist Communicators Association in the 2022 BCA Awards Competition (see story HERE). BCA is a professional development association for Baptist communicators and has a membership of about 250 communicators nationwide. To be recognized in

By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing Writer, B&R Mother’s Day is a time when we honor all mothers — those biological women who have given birth and those who have raised and loved other women’s children.  On the economic scale, Mother’s Day is a big event. According to a National Retail Federation survey, consumers are expected to spend a record amount with 84 percent of American adults planning to celebrate this year.

By Todd E. Brady Vice president for university ministries, Union University, Jackson Recently, I had the privilege of baptizing Trent. His mom and dad were standing up by the baptistry filming, and his big sister was sitting in the congregation. Barely able to see over the baptistry ledge, Trent saw a church that rejoiced with him, loved him, prayed for him and that day, celebrated with him. Trent’s journey to

By Clay Hallmark President, Tennessee Baptist Convention As the Tennessee Baptist Convention president, I have been traveling around the state and asking people these questions: “What is your greatest need? What is the greatest need in your family, ministry, marriage, finances, community or church? Where do you go to have your greatest need met?”  After coming out of bondage in Egypt, the people of God ran out of their food.