By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector SEVIERVILLE — When Justin Randolph signed up more than a year ago for a month’s membership at a fitness club, he thought he was doing it in order to spend time with his wife and get some exercise. Little did he know that the membership would not only accomplish that goal, but it also would lead to an opportunity for Christian ministry and
By Janice Backer Contributing Writer The word “replant” according to Webster’s dictionary means: to plant again or anew. For Magna View Baptist Church — now Grace Point Baptist — it means a fresh start. Although the building and property will remain in the same location east of Jefferson City (1170 East Highway 11E), the congregation has voted to replant the church — with a new name, a new vision and
By Nathan Handley JACKSON — Union University and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board partnered to send 25 directors of missions to Israel for the first time in January. Union University President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver led the trip alongside Nathan Finn, dean of Union’s School of Theology and Missions, and Ernest Easley, professor of evangelism at Union. Easley said he decided he wanted to send these directors of missions to
The dates that helped shape Rolling Hills Community Church Fall of 2002: God leads Jeff Simmons and a few others to plant what is now “Rolling Hills Community Church.” It begins with a core team of 15 people gathering in the Alara Farms apartment clubhouse on Thursday nights (photo on right). During this time, the church develops its philosophies and begins its dedication to missions by sending a team of
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector Thriving now, Rolling Hills Community Church started as small church plant FRANKLIN — Jeff Simmons wasn’t so sure he wanted to start a church. He wasn’t convinced that people would come, and he wasn’t certain the church would ever get off the ground. Then God brought something to his heart that completely changed his perspective. “God reminded me that he hasn’t called us to
Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches gave $3,416,389 through the Cooperative Program in January. For the year-to-date, Cooperative Program gifts total $9,263,010. After the first quarter of the 2017 fiscal year, gifts are $233,474 or 2.6 percent more than was given at the same time last year. CP gifts also are $638,010 or 7.4 percent above budget needs.
Fire destroys building; congregation stays strong By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector PARSONS — On the night of Jan. 21, Adam Wood, the pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church in Parsons, was making his normal drive home after a normal Sunday night service and business meeting. Then things took a very abnormal turn. Around the midway mark of his roughly 20-minute commute home, Wood received a phone call from one
By David Roach Baptist Press NASHVILLE — Striving for racial reconciliation was costly for some Southern Baptist pastors, (including two who served in Tennessee) in the 1950s through the 1970s. It cost Jack Kwok his property and Paul Turner a beating by angry segregationists. But Kwok, who has served as executive director of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio since 1996, says the price pastors and other ministers paid
Nathan Handley & Tim Ellsworth Baptist Press JACKSON, Tenn. — At the 10-year point since a tornado devastated the campus, Union University marked the anniversary with a day of activities Feb. 2 featuring former administrators, students and others closely involved with the event. Former Union President David S. Dockery, in a Founders’ Day chapel address, spoke on providence, hope and unity the university experienced from the Feb. 5, 2008, tornado.
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist & Reflector JACKSON — Jordan Easley is passionate about the Cooperative Program. And, he’s eager to share that passion with younger pastors throughout Tennessee and the Southern Baptist Convention.
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector SEVIERVILLE — When Justin Randolph signed up more than a year ago for a month’s membership at a
By Janice Backer Contributing Writer The word “replant” according to Webster’s dictionary means: to plant again or anew. For Magna View Baptist Church — now
By Nathan Handley JACKSON — Union University and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board partnered to send 25 directors of missions to Israel for the first
The dates that helped shape Rolling Hills Community Church Fall of 2002: God leads Jeff Simmons and a few others to plant what is now
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector Thriving now, Rolling Hills Community Church started as small church plant FRANKLIN — Jeff Simmons wasn’t so sure he
Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches gave $3,416,389 through the Cooperative Program in January. For the year-to-date, Cooperative Program gifts total $9,263,010.
Fire destroys building; congregation stays strong By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector PARSONS — On the night of Jan. 21, Adam Wood, the pastor of
By David Roach Baptist Press NASHVILLE — Striving for racial reconciliation was costly for some Southern Baptist pastors, (including two who served in Tennessee) in
Nathan Handley & Tim Ellsworth Baptist Press JACKSON, Tenn. — At the 10-year point since a tornado devastated the campus, Union University marked the anniversary
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist & Reflector JACKSON — Jordan Easley is passionate about the Cooperative Program. And, he’s eager to share that passion with