By Jeff Brumley Associated Baptist Press JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Congregational coaches are warning churches against becoming so fixated on Millennials and other young people that they ignore the surging population of Baby Boomers already in their midst. But those experts say most congregations simply aren’t ready to listen to that advice, especially when reaching out to potential members in their 50s, 60s, and 70s doesn’t seem as exciting as ministering

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BENTON — When you have two positions that basically require a 24/7 commitment, 24 hours in a single day sometimes is not enough. That is what Steve Ross has discovered as he approaches his first anniversary as Sheriff of Polk County. “There are days when I can’t get everything done,” admitted Ross who in his “spare time” serves as associate pastor of Benton

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Bobby Welch, associate executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention since May of 2011, will retire Aug. 31. Welch announced his plans to step down during a TBC staff meeting last month. With his 50th wedding anniversary this month (Aug. 21), Welch said he was retiring to spend more time with his wife Maudellen and his two children and four grandchildren.

By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector SWEETWATER — As Kenny Witt, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer of Madisonville, drove down a rural road near Sweetwater by homes and property, he saw more trees damaged by the tornado and storms which struck Monroe County July 14. He stopped at a house which had downed trees but didn’t find anyone home. Witt went further down the road to the

By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector STANTONVILLE — When Pastor James Stophel joined four other pastors and the director of missions of Shiloh Baptist Association recently to hear a Tennessee Baptist Convention staff member, he didn’t hesitate to ask how a small, rural Baptist church could respond. Stophel said he was glad for the challenges presented by the Five Objectives of the TBC but initially his opinion

By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector MURFREESBORO — Pastor Jorge Arenivas knocked on the door of an apartment. A young man answered and, happy to hear Spanish spoken by the visitor, let Arenivas in. Arenivas met two other young men living there. About 10 minutes later all three of the young men had prayed to receive Christ and had agreed to meet weekly for Bible study in

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — Ben Mandrell readily admits it was a difficult transition for his family to leave Jackson and head to the vast mission field of Denver. Mandrell resigned as pastor of Englewood Baptist Church about two years ago after being called as a church planter. Mandrell and his family moved to Orlando, Fla., where he served at First Baptist Church for about six

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector DELANO — On Sunday, Aug. 2, Delano Baptist Church here did something it has never done before. “We stepped outside the box,” acknowledged Pastor John Powers. In conjunction with Challenge Golf Association, the church sponsored “The Invitational,” a golf outing on Sunday at nearby Ridgewood Golf Course that drew 44 men and women who seldom, if ever, go to church.

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector SAVANNAH — “Coach” or “Bro. Derek.” It really doesn’t matter to Derek Westmoreland. He is used to both and will answer to either one. Westmoreland, pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church here, also coaches Dixie Boys Baseball and from Aug. 7-13 will be leading the Savannah 9-10-year-old baseball team during the Dixie World Series in Lexington, S.C. The Savannah team won the Tennessee state

By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC MEMPHIS — Eric Watkins can stand at the entrance to the Warren Apartments and see the worst Memphis has to offer. That vacant lot over there, that’s where an occasional dead body gets dropped. Those gangbangers sitting on the porch smoking dope, they’re probably packing more firepower than your average National Guard unit. Prostitutes are working the streets along with the drug dealers.