By David Dawson [email protected] FRANKLIN — The Baptist and Reflector’s website had a record-breaking year in 2024, setting new high-water marks in “reader engagement” and other categories.  Listed below is a recap of some of the website’s most popular stories over the past 12 months:  Title: Confessions of a Concerned Baptist Writer: Randy C. Davis Date Posted: May 1, 2024 Summary: Roughly one month before the SBC annual meeting, Randy C.

FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist experienced a most historic 2024 marked by unique milestones and events that ranged from the celebratory to the tragic.  Hurricane Helene: Hurricane Helene devastated East Tennessee in September, triggering the largest disaster relief response in state Baptist history.  The storm, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph sustained winds, weakened to a tropical storm before dumping up to 30 inches

FRANKLIN — Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, announced on Friday, Jan. 3, that teams are needed as soon as possible to complete remodeling jobs in East Tennessee. Jones noted that the homes need remodeling after being gutted in the flood recovery process.  Jones said that team leaders and individuals who are available to work  should contact Kaye Thomas at 615-969-0410. The housing location is

CORRYTON — Over the past 22 years, Corryton Church has given away nearly $1 million dollars of gifts and goods to families in East Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky.  And the church apparently has no plans of stopping.  This year, the church focused much of its attention on flood victims in Chuckey, including hosting a party at the South Central Elementary School on Dec. 7.  The school chose the “invitiees” (who

MERRY CHRISTMAS! — From the staff of the Baptist and Reflector and the entire TBMB team.

ERWIN — For the past four years, Central Baptist Church in Erwin has participated in the Christmas Backpacks Ministry of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.  This year was to be no different, according to Kerri Kite, who spearheads the ministry at Central Baptist. The church held a Christmas in August event and had collected enough to provide 52 backpacks, she said.  Then, along came Hurricane Helene.  Erwin and Unicoi County were

JOHNSON CITY — As the end of the fall semester draws to a close many campus organizations cut down on activities so students can finish projects and report and begin studying for final exams.  At East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, the first full week in December is known as “dead week,” said Jonathan Chapman, collegiate ministries specialist at ETSU, adding that the school cancels all classes during the

NEWPORT — Nearly two months after the Pigeon River flooded its banks due to Hurricane Helene, leaving behind a wake of destruction in its path, Riverview Baptist Church is on the road to recovery.  Numerous DR teams and other volunteers have helped the church get to the point where it can begin repairs and restoration.  The church sustained major damage as flood waters rose to about 10 feet high in