WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti Wednesday, Dec. 4. The case, which pits the Biden administration’s Justice Department against the State of Tennessee and its attorney general, Jonathan Skrmetti, will determine whether states are allowed to outlaw so-called gender transition treatments for minors. In March 2023, the Tennessee legislature passed a law prohibiting health care providers from prescribing medications or performing

FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches provided a record 7,540 Christmas Backpacks this year, surpassing the ministry’s goal of 7,000 backpacks. With a lot of people still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene in northeast Tennessee, the extra backpacks are needed, affirmed Beth Moore, compassion ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Going into our collection week this year, I really had no idea what to expect. I

The staff at the Baptist and Reflector would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a very happy Thanksgiving! Our hope is that all of you will take a few moments today to spend some time giving thanks to the Lord for the blessings in your life. Family, friends and food will likely be at the top of the list, naturally, but our list of blessings actually

MURFREESBORO — Carson-Newman University presented the 2024 Ken Sparks Award to Steve Gaines. The Nov. 12 presentation came during C-N’s Alumni and Friends Dinner held at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Murfreesboro.  Named for long-time Carson-Newman football coach Ken Sparks, the award recognizes pastors or lay people within the church who exemplify the traits of the legendary coach. “Steve Gaines has been an inspiring leader as

FRANKLIN — Urgency was the theme Thursday when the Arise and Build Task Group met via Zoom to discuss the rebuilding phase of the Hurricane Helene recovery effort across East Tennessee. “Winter is upon us,” Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, told the group of about 20 on the call. “We’ve got to not only rush in to build the houses but also

MURFREESBORO — Marking the founding of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Murfreesboro 150 years ago, preachers at this year’s Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference at the Embassy Suites hotel addressed the theme “Better Together.” Grant Gaines, pastor of Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro and president of this year’s conference, chose Philippians 1:3 and 5 as the theme verses: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you … because

MURFREESBORO — Tennessee Baptist Convention president Jay Hardwick challenged Tennessee Baptists to “advance together” in the closing sermon of Tennessee Baptists’ annual Summit on Nov. 12 at the Murfreesboro Convention Center. Like the sessions before it during the two-day meeting, the closing session focused on celebration and unity as messengers and guests looked back over 150 years of God’s work among Tennessee Baptists and looked forward into a future full