By Courtney Swaw Summer Intern, Linden Valley LINDEN — “When I saw the Camp Linden sign, I was easily transferred to a place in my life where I was captivated by the lover of my soul,” said Danny Rowland, youth minister at First Baptist Church, Trenton. “Camp was the beginning, and it is a sweet spot in my heart.” Rowland brought a group of 16 campers (eight boys and eight
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRUCETON — In a year’s time First Baptist Church, Bruceton, has seen baptisms increase from 17 in 2016 to 31 with several weeks left in the current church year. This year’s total number of baptisms is the largest since 1976 and the third largest in church history, said Joshua Franks, who celebrated his first anniversary at the church in early August. Franks refuses
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector ATHENS — Continuing a well-established custom, several churches in the Athens area will be providing a meal for the McMinn County High football team on Friday afternoons this fall. This year, however, there’s a new twist on the tradition: It’s become more personal. “Basically, we wanted to put a face with the spaghetti,” said Derrick Vestal, the offensive coordinator for the 6A McMinn County
Baptist and Reflector CLARKSVILLE — More than 350 Austin Peay State University faculty and staff participated in a cookout provided by the APSU Baptist Collegiate Ministries and the Cumberland Baptist Association on July 19. Held in the University Center plaza in the middle of campus, the event was an opportunity for faculty and staff to come out and enjoy a free lunch and fellowship together. It also was an opportunity
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — It’s not every day that a gathering in the church sanctuary begins with a rendition of Rocky Top ringing out from an orchestra. But that’s how the evening started on July 27 at Red Bank Baptist Church in Chattanooga, where an energetic crowd — including a large number of football players and coaches from the local area — came together for “A
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector HENDERSONVILLE — Jamie Mosley, the lead pastor at Redeemer Church in Hendersonville, is suddenly having a hard time counting his blessings. There are just too many for him to number. With generosity and grace serving as the prevalent themes, Mosley has seen a remarkable story develop with his church — and the details have left Mosley feeling overwhelmed with excitement and optimism. Mosley’s church,
Baptist and Reflector LEBANON — One church’s baptismal service recently impacted a sister Baptist church in a neighboring county. Immanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon held a lake baptism service on July 2 at the Laguardo Recreation Center off Highway 109. The church had eight candidates for baptism that day, said Lawrence Cole, minister of adults at Immanuel.
By Courtney Swaw Summer Intern, Linden Valley LINDEN — Maury City First Baptist Church returned to IMPACT camp for the second consecutive year after an overwhelming affirmation from the kids. “We come back because this particular camp does a really good job of recognizing that camp is not for camp’s sake,” said Mikey Waddey, pastor of Maury City First Baptist Church. “We do camp for the sake of sending these
By Courtney Swaw Summer Intern, Linden Valley LINDEN — As Bryan Bratcher was attending his first IMPACT camp three years ago, he wondered, “What if there was a church in our community that was committed to biblical truth that had this kind of culture?” In 2014 Bratcher attended IMPACT camp (his first ever youth camp) at Linden Valley as the youth pastor of Stones River Baptist Church, Smyrna. He was
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector LAFAYETTE — When Johnny Beaver moved to Tennessee several years ago, he thought he would never serve as pastor of a church again. God had other plans. Beaver readily acknowledges that he and his wife moved to Tennessee from Pascagoula, Miss., to rebuild their life and marriage. He was pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Pascagoula when Hurricane Katrina struck. He lost his
By Courtney Swaw Summer Intern, Linden Valley LINDEN — “When I saw the Camp Linden sign, I was easily transferred to a place in my
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRUCETON — In a year’s time First Baptist Church, Bruceton, has seen baptisms increase from 17 in 2016
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector ATHENS — Continuing a well-established custom, several churches in the Athens area will be providing a meal for the
Baptist and Reflector CLARKSVILLE — More than 350 Austin Peay State University faculty and staff participated in a cookout provided by the APSU Baptist Collegiate
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — It’s not every day that a gathering in the church sanctuary begins with a rendition of Rocky
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector HENDERSONVILLE — Jamie Mosley, the lead pastor at Redeemer Church in Hendersonville, is suddenly having a hard time counting
Baptist and Reflector LEBANON — One church’s baptismal service recently impacted a sister Baptist church in a neighboring county. Immanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon held
By Courtney Swaw Summer Intern, Linden Valley LINDEN — Maury City First Baptist Church returned to IMPACT camp for the second consecutive year after an
By Courtney Swaw Summer Intern, Linden Valley LINDEN — As Bryan Bratcher was attending his first IMPACT camp three years ago, he wondered, “What if
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector LAFAYETTE — When Johnny Beaver moved to Tennessee several years ago, he thought he would never serve as