Tennessee

PASTOR’S FIRST SERMON AT NEW CHURCH COMES VIA VIDEO

April 9, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] MEDON — Damon Olson’s first sermon as pastor of COVI didn’t go exactly the way he envisioned. No one showed up. But, technically, neither did he. Olson’s first Sunday at Maple Springs came as churches all across the nation decided not to meet due to the coronavirus pandemic that has taken the nation and the world by storm. Instead, the congregation listened to their new pastor’s

CHURCHES TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WHAT TOWNS HAVE TO OFFER

April 9, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] FRANKLIN — In the late 1950s and 1960s drive-in movies were the rage across America. By the end of the 1970s, the outdoor theaters began to close at a rapid pace for several reasons including the advent of VHS movies you could watch from the comfort of your own home. But some survived and now they are being used by churches to share the gospel when

TECHNICAL INFORMATION FOR THE DRIVE-IN CHURCH

April 8, 2020

Baptist and Reflector JOHNSON CITY — Scott Thompson, associate/executive pastor of University Parkway Baptist Church, Johnson City, helped the church establish a “drive-in church” five years ago. Here is how they did it in his words. “We ordered a small, low power, FM transmitter kit and antenna. This type of transmitter is used for schools, churches, farmers, etc. In our area we are not required to have an FCC license

DRIVE-IN SERVICES

April 8, 2020

Church in the parking lot includes safety, gospel By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] JOHNSON CITY— Five years before COVID-19 took the world by storm, University Parkway Baptist Church had recognized the need for a service for people with health issues and other concerns that prevented them from going to church. “Our drive-in church is designed to offer a worship service to people in our region that might

DEALING WITH THE DISAPPOINTMENTS

April 7, 2020

Youth leaders providing encouragement for youth amid cancelations of prom, graduation By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — While the practice of social distancing continues to move to the forefront in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, teenagers are feeling the sting of disappointment in a very real way. High school seniors, in particular, are dealing with the heartache of knowing that some of their most highly-anticipated events —

CHURCHES ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT’S PAYROLL PROTECTION PLAN

April 6, 2020

Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), recently enacted by Congress as part of the $2 trillion CARES Act to relieve economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, set aside $349 billion to guarantee loans to businesses employing fewer than 500 employees for expenses like payroll, utilities and rent or mortgage payments. Nonprofits, including Tennessee Baptist churches and other religious ministries, are eligible to receive funds covering

COLLEGE MINISTRY LEADERS WORK TO CONTINUE OUTREACH AMID COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

April 4, 2020

By Tess Schoonhoven Baptist Press NASHVILLE — College ministry thrives in community. But the COVID-19 pandemic — and the resulting social distancing policies, including bans on large gatherings and campus-wide shutdowns — has in many ways severed traditional connections. In an uncertain time, college ministries are finding ways to not only maintain community despite distance, but also working to foster an increasingly encouraging environment for the future. A Heightened Focus

TBMB TO PROVIDE WEBINAR FOR PLANNING EASTER SERVICES

April 3, 2020

Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board is offering a “Practical Easter Webinar” for medium to smaller attendance Tennessee Baptist churches on Monday, April 6, at 6:30 central time/7:30 eastern time. “None of us anticipated a day when a worldwide pandemic would prevent our people from gathering on Easter,” observed Bill Choate, director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries for the TBMB. The webinar will give participants an opportunity

STAY AT HOME: IMPACT ON TENNESSEE CHURCHES

April 3, 2020

Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued an executive order April 2 requiring all Tennesseans to remain at home unless engaging in an essential activity or service as defined by the order. The executive order addresses what churches can or cannot do under the executive order with religious ceremonies such as weddings and funerals and providing essential ministries such as food delivery. “I am confident that with

23 IDEAS FROM TENNESSEE BAPTIST CHURCHES

April 3, 2020

What are You Doing to Thrive and Serve in this Changing World? Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff Our history shows that the church thrives in times of adversity and crisis. It’s what we were created to do. It’s been astounding to see how Tennessee Baptists have stepped up to the plate over the past few weeks to make sure that the Gospel continues to be shared and that people are

Tennessee

PASTOR’S FIRST SERMON AT NEW CHURCH COMES VIA VIDEO

CHURCHES TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WHAT TOWNS HAVE TO OFFER