By Erik Reed Baptist Press LEBANON — My son did not live one more day than God planned; and he did not live one day less either. This truth is one I keep returning to each day as my family and I grieve the death of my son, Kaleb. He was 15-years-old. Trials and afflictions marked his life. Into the crucible He was born 10 weeks premature with one of

By Bill Sorrell Contributing Writer, B&R TRENTON — From wheelchair to state championship to Mr. Football, Cooper Baugus has rolled his way into the record books. A senior quarterback at Peabody High School, Baugus was named the 2A Tennessee Titans Mr. Football on Dec. 2 at Nissan Stadium. He is the first Mr. Football winner in school history. “It meant the world to me when they called my name,” said

By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] FRANKLIN — Willie McLaurin, a staff member of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board for nearly 15 years, was named Dec. 17 as vice president for Great Commission relations and mobilization for the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention — a new position created to maximize resources and gospel impact at the EC. In his new role with the Executive Committee, McLaurin will have responsibilities for

By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] HENDERSONVILLE — Bruce Chesser, who was elected as the new president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in November, is excited over the convention’s current direction. His motto for the upcoming year? “Don’t mess it up,” Chesser said with a smile. “Our state convention is in great shape under the leadership of Randy C. Davis,” observed Chesser, pastor of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, for the past 10

By Ken Carver Special to the Baptist and Reflector  COLLIERVILLE — They are a “Circle of Friends.” They have no organization chart. No elected leaders. No budgeted funding. They keep no minutes. Yet they minister mightily to the widows of Collierville First Baptist Church. God has called these 20 women to serve the church’s widows in ways that the church’s deacons — who also have an active widows ministry —

Belmont University News Office  NASHVILLE — In the spirit of giving thanks, Belmont University today dedicated its chapel in honor of a man long deemed the “heart and soul” of the institution. Herbert C. Gabhart died in September 2009, but the former chancellor and president left behind a 50-year legacy of impact on this campus and the surrounding community. The Herbert C. Gabhart Chapel will now bear his name in