Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — Three researchers who have played various roles in the research and development of COVID-19 vaccines have a common thread — they were members of the Baptist Student Union (now Baptist Collegiate Ministry) at Vanderbilt University in Nashville while Bill Choate was BSU director at the university (see related story). Choate is now the BCM director for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He remembers the three

Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — As one would expect, Tennessee led the way in number of messengers  (2,012) registered for the Southern Baptist Convention, held June 15-16 at the Music City Center in Nashville. The messenger count totaled 15,726, the largest attended convention since 11,959 messengers attended the SBC annual meeting in 2000 in Orlando. The number also far exceeded the 11,641 messengers who attended the last SBC held in

By Scott Barkley Baptist Press NASHVILLE — A slate of elections pushed to Wednesday witnessed close votes among three contests as well as one result by acclamation. Lee Brand Jr., vice president and dean of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, received 327 votes more than California pastor Anthony Dockery – 2,860 to 2,533 – in becoming first vice president of the SBC. Brand was nominated by Danny Sinquefield, pastor of Faith

Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches contributed $2,714,438 through the Cooperative Program in May. For the year-to-date, Tennessee Baptists have given $20,328,414. The amount is $424,750 or 2.1 percent over the amount given over the same time frame last year. With five months left in the 2020-21 fiscal year, the total is just 88,252 or 0.43 percent below budget needs.

From Dyersburg to Ducktown, from Memphis to Mountain City, Tennessee Baptists impact the state for Jesus Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — Who, exactly, are Tennessee Baptists? The best way to answer those questions is by going directly to the source. Below, in their own words, are a few of the leaders and lay people from the Volunteer state, talking about their faith and their ministry. Steve Gaines Former SBC president Pastor,

By Art Toalston Baptist Press NASHVILLE —  “You’ve been called a liberal, a Marxist and a denier of the sufficiency of Scripture.” Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, faced the question posed by one of his sons, Nate, moderator of the B21 luncheon during the opening day of the Southern Baptist Convention’s June 15-16 annual meeting in Nashville. Liberalism, race relations, critical race theory and women’s roles in