HENDERSONVILLE — Out of the crowds attending morning worship services at First Baptist Church last Sunday, 93 didn’t realize they were about to step forward with a life-changing public proclamation. It was a day planned for months by church leadership to address something they had noticed with newcomers to the area. “We had been praying about this,” said Bruce Raley, senior associate pastor. “We’ve had a lot of people who

Members of the Carson-Newman University community were recently recognized during a special chapel service on campus. The service allowed for a time of prayer over the group representing three teams traveling on spring break mission trips to Los Angeles, Cali; Washington, D.C.; and Honolulu, Hawaii. Over 30 volunteers will take part in service projects while sharing the gospel of Christ. 

SHARON — First Baptist Church, Sharon, celebrated its Harvest Day in late November in a unique way.  At the age of 99, Aileen Edwards taught a combined Sunday School class in the main sanctuary on Nov. 19, marking 75 years of Sunday School teaching ministry.  In the presence of current and former church members impacted by her ministry, she told the class that she considered it a “joy and a

KNOXVILLE — An association’s gift to a young church in the Lonsdale community of Knoxville will ensure a gospel presence is alive and well in the area.  Last year, Bethany Missionary Baptist Church in north Knoxville closed its doors after attendance had dwindled to about 10 elderly members, said Jerry Vittatoe, director of missions for both Midland Baptist Association and Northern Baptist Association.  Though not affiliated with Midland Association, the

MARYVILLE — Blount County residents are still reeling from the tragic death of Blount County Sheriff’s Department deputy Greg McCowan who was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Feb. 8.  McCowan was killed when 42-year-old Kenneth Dehart opened fire on him and his partner, Shelby Eggers, according to WATE News. Eggers is recovering from her wounds. She is the daughter of Tennessee Baptist pastor Travis Eggers of West

FRANKLIN — Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis has a strong heritage and culture of giving to missions causes throughout the state, the nation and the world.  Ten years ago, Kirby Woods gave more than $2.3 million or 41.37 percent of its total receipts to missions, including more than $51,000 through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions.  In recent years the church experienced a dramatic decline in both members and

MOUNT JULIET — Some pastors and church leaders tend to shudder, or perhaps even bristle, when they hear the word “revitalization.” Phil Young, Larry Murphy and Phil Taylor — along with others on the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Revitalization Team — are working hard to change that.  “We want people to understand that church revitalization is not about declining or dying churches,” said Young. “It’s about moving toward a sustainable,