By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] FRANKLIN — Though it’s been more than three decades since William Burton went on his first Tennessee Baptist partnership trip, he is still seeing “fruit” from seeds that were sown in Venezuela. Burton, leader of the New Churches Team of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, was a college student at Carson-Newman University when a speaker came to Mill Springs Baptist Church in Jefferson City where he

By Ashley Perham Contributing writer, B&R FRANKLIN — Don Owen, First Baptist Church, Morristown, is the recipient of this month’s “Light Award” from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, which recognizes volunteers who are making a difference for the TBMB across the state. Owen started working with Disaster Relief in 2004, although he admitted he came into it “kicking and screaming.” He owned three different companies at the time and said

By Ashley Perham Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — Crievewood Baptist Church was one of four Nashville churches affected by arson the night of June 25, 2019. Although the arson caused over one million dollars in damage, the church is rebuilding. And forgiving. Alan Fox, 26, admitted to the arson and at the end of August, sent an apology letter to Ray Miller, pastor, and the church. Miller said Fox explained

EDITOR’S NOTE: February is Black History Month By Diana Chandler Baptist Press NASHVILLE — Nashville First Baptist Church was willed an enslaved 16-year-old Nelson G. Merry in 1840, and by 1853 had baptized, discipled, freed and ordained him to pastor the First Colored Baptist Mission, a First Baptist church plant. That church plant became First Baptist Church Capitol Hill, a majority black Nashville congregation led by senior pastor Kelly Miller

Edwards prepares for retirement after 25 years in youth ministry with TBMB Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — After 25 years of ministry with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, youth specialist Bruce Edwards has announced his upcoming retirement. Edwards has touched countless lives throughout the past two-plus decades, and God has used Edwards’ ministry to encourage and impact youth pastors, youth workers and youth themselves.

Church moves forward despite losing historic building By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector PARROTTSVILLE — When pastor Michael Vickers talks about the fire that ravaged Forest Hills Baptist Church, Parrottsville, he immediately points out one important fact: The fire destroyed the church building; it did not destroy the church. The fire occurred around 1 a.m. on Jan. 18, and decimated the building that had been standing for more than 100

By Shawn Hendricks Contributing writer, B&R SPRING HILL — After Pastor Jay Strother announced to the congregation at The Church at Station Hill his  challenge for them to read the entire Bible through in one year, Helen Tyler wanted to be the first to “sign up.”  The 99-year-“young” woman, also known as “Miss Helen,” told Pastor Strother at the Spring Hill, campus of Brentwood Baptist Church it would be her