By Art Toalston Contributing Writer, B&R FRANKLIN — More than 70 years ago, William “Bill” Oakley began reading the Baptist and Reflector. His father, W.B. Oakley, a Baptist preacher, had introduced the family to the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s paper. And the B&R had even more relevance to Bill Oakley when he surrendered to God’s call to the ministry in 1950. “Throughout all these years the B&R has been a vital
By Art Toalston Contributing Writer, B&R FRANKLIN — R.G.B. Howell started a newspaper within a month after moving to Tennessee in January 1835. He called it The Baptist — forerunner 185 years ago to the Baptist and Reflector. “To unite, harmonize, and invigorate the church in this state,” Howell wrote in launching the paper, “some medium of communication is necessary, through which our brethren, in its various parts, should have
Since 1835, the B&R has kept Tennessee Baptists informed, inspired By Art Toalston Contributing Writer, B&R FRANKLIN — After a tornado tore through their community — and her family’s home — followed by the upheaval of COVID-19, Ashley Lee had no less resolve for Vacation Bible School. “So many of our children had already had so much taken away from them,” Lee told the Baptist and Reflector. “We knew we
Baptist and Reflector SEYMOUR — Walter Grubb, former president/headmaster of The King’s Academy, is returning to the academy in that role in an interim capacity, announced Richard Wallace, chair of the board of trustees of The King’s Academy, in a press release on Friday. Wallace, a Sevierville attorney, made the announcement following a called board meeting on campus to address the vacancy created when Matt Mercer resigned from that
By Diana Chandler Baptist Press MEMPHIS — Impact Baptist Church & Ministries of Memphis has so thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic that Pastor Michael Ellis Sr. sees no reason to resume onsite worship before 2021. “I get this call from pastors all the time asking me what we’re going to do, and I say, ‘Hey look, our attendance is up and our offering is up. You tell me what you
By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing writer, B&R BROWNSVILLE — It started out like any other hot summer day. Temperatures soared into the high 90s and the heat index climbed to the triple digits on Friday, July 17. Regardless of the temperature, it’s never too hot to have a fish fry. Woodland Baptist Church in Brownsville chose that particular day to feed some of Haywood County’s “first responders”at the Criminal Justice Complex.
Nashville FBC spreads happiness with ‘COVID Caroling’ ministry By David Dawson [email protected] NASHVILLE — Nashville First Baptist Church is getting an early jump on caroling season. Minus the hot chocolate and mittens, of course. Hoping to spread some cheer — and create some socially distanced fellowship — during the pandemic, FBC recently started a ministry called “COVID caroling.” The initiative is exactly what the name implies: A group of FBC
By Tess Schoonhoven Baptist Press SPRINGFIELD — The greatest apologetics any Christian can proclaim is the way they live their lives, according to David Evans, pastor of Springfield Baptist Church in Springfield. “It’s not the argument; it’s not the debate,” Evans said. “… If we shrink back in life, we have no apologetic.” This from a man who has spent much of the last few years organizing and conducting conferences
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — Brentwood Baptist Church digital strategy director Darrel Girardier admits that he has a love-hate relationship with analytics, especially in relation to online worship and other events that are streamed on social media platforms. Can analytics be a useful tool? Without a doubt. But can they be deceiving? Absolutely, Girardier said. The key, he said, is to dig deeper into the numbers
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] LINDEN — Tennessee Baptists from across the state braved the heat and humidity on Saturday, July 25, to help dedicate the Janet Bearden Welcome Center at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center. The welcome center will house the conference center offices and serve as the focal point as people drive onto the property. “It will be the crown jewel of Linden Valley,” observed
By Art Toalston Contributing Writer, B&R FRANKLIN — More than 70 years ago, William “Bill” Oakley began reading the Baptist and Reflector. His father, W.B.
By Art Toalston Contributing Writer, B&R FRANKLIN — R.G.B. Howell started a newspaper within a month after moving to Tennessee in January 1835. He called
Since 1835, the B&R has kept Tennessee Baptists informed, inspired By Art Toalston Contributing Writer, B&R FRANKLIN — After a tornado tore through their community
Baptist and Reflector SEYMOUR — Walter Grubb, former president/headmaster of The King’s Academy, is returning to the academy in that role in an interim capacity,
By Diana Chandler Baptist Press MEMPHIS — Impact Baptist Church & Ministries of Memphis has so thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic that Pastor Michael Ellis
By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing writer, B&R BROWNSVILLE — It started out like any other hot summer day. Temperatures soared into the high 90s and the
Nashville FBC spreads happiness with ‘COVID Caroling’ ministry By David Dawson [email protected] NASHVILLE — Nashville First Baptist Church is getting an early jump on caroling
By Tess Schoonhoven Baptist Press SPRINGFIELD — The greatest apologetics any Christian can proclaim is the way they live their lives, according to David Evans,
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — Brentwood Baptist Church digital strategy director Darrel Girardier admits that he has a love-hate relationship with
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] LINDEN — Tennessee Baptists from across the state braved the heat and humidity on Saturday, July 25,
