Tennessee

‘GOD NEVER WASTES A HURT’

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] COLLIERVILLE — As the world stands divided over where facemasks should be worn to help prevent the coronavirus, it’s not an issue for Mark LaGrone. It’s not even up to debate for the 60-year-old LaGrone, who serves as the discipleship/assimilation pastor at First Baptist Church, Collierville. LaGrone’s resolve for the need to wear a face covering while the world is still dealing

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VIRTUAL GO TRIP HELPS PROMOTE PRAYER APP FOR MISSIONS

By Sarah Goff Union University news office JACKSON — Though Union’s Global Opportunities Trips this spring were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one team was able to conduct its trip to Southeast Asia “virtually” May 25-29.  The original plan was for the GO Trip team to travel to Southeast Asia May 18-29 to work alongside an International Mission Board media team to provide media products and creative strategy. This

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VBS DIRECTOR PRESSES ON DESPITE TOUGH CHALLENGES

By Ashley Perham Baptist & Reflector OLD HICKORY — Ashley Lee’s family lost their Mt. Juliet house in the devastating March 3 tornado. Then, about 10 days later, the full weight of the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Since then, Lee said, life stopped being okay. Yet even in this “not okay” time, Lee, VBS director at Friendship Community Church, Mt Juliet, still felt that Vacation Bible School was a priority. In

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IMPACT OF VBS EXTENDS BEYOND COMMUNITY

By David Dawson [email protected] MEMPHIS — Although the COVID-19 pandemic has created a large number of obstacles for Vacation Bible School leaders, the upside has been that this summer’s unusual circumstances have enabled many churches to connect with children that they might not have otherwise been able to reach. At Union Avenue Baptist Church, Memphis, this year’s VBS is not only engaging with children from the community, but with kids

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TENNESSEE ENACTS STRONG PRO-LIFE LAW; COURT BATTLE BEGINS

NASHVILLE (BP) — Tennessee enacted a law Monday (July 13) that provides some of the country’s strongest protections for unborn children, but it remained in effect less than an hour — at least for now. Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation that prohibits an abortion when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks. The measure also bans an abortion when the doctor knows the

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DIRECTOR’S DEATH DOESN’T DERAIL VBS AT ROUND LICK BAPTIST

By Ashley Perham Baptist & Reflector WATERTOWN — Since 2003, Diane Turpen had served in children’s ministry at Round Lick Baptist Church, Watertown. She worked in Royal Ambassadors and Girls in Action, served as the Vacation Bible School director for 13 years, and went on stateside and foreign mission trips to help with VBS.  When she unexpectedly passed away this March, she left behind a legacy of ministering to hundreds

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F.A.I.T.H. RIDERS PRAY FOR TENNESSEE BAPTIST CHURCHES, PASTORS, LEOs

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] CLARKSVILLE — That distant rumble that is being heard in some areas of the state is not always thunder followed by lightning. It just might be a group of Tennessee Baptist F.A.I.T.H. Riders (FR), followed by prayer. F.A.I.T.H. Riders is a national motorcycle ministry that is passionate about sharing Christ with the world, according to its website. The organization, which is rooted

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REVIVE US AGAIN

Fresh perspective, willingness to change are among the keys to church revitalization By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — Although Kevin Minchey appreciates the importance of numbers, he believes church revitalization can sometimes be as much about attitude as attendance. Appearing as a guest on a recent B&R Radio podcast, Minchey, the church revitalization team leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said that some churches can start

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C-N ANNOUNCES FALL PLANS; CLASSES TO START AUG. 19

Baptist and Reflector JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University announced its plans to resume classes and residential living for the fall semester. Classes will begin Aug. 19. Like many universities, in-person instruction for Carson-Newman will conclude by Thanksgiving and resume with online instruction for the remainder of the semester. Dining and residence halls will remain open.

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CHURCHES ADJUSTING AGAIN FOR COVID-19

Editor’s note – For additional resources and an updated version of the TBMB Gathering Together Again document that includes information about how your church should move forward when members test positive for COVID-19, visit TnBaptist.org/reopen.   In-person gatherings suspended on numerous campuses across state By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — With the number of COVID-19 cases on the rise in certain parts of the state, pastors and

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