KNOXVILLE — In the late 1980s through the 1990s, Ben and Annabelle Hall, then members of Gillespie Avenue Baptist Church in Knoxville, were fixtures at Western Heights Baptist Center, a ministry of the Knox County Association of Baptists. “They came as volunteers to the Baptist Center every Tuesday and Thursday for about 20 years,” said Jackie Young, who recently completed his 42nd year as a staff member of the Baptist

The staff of the Baptist and Reflector wishes our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are grateful for our loyal readers and hope that each of you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season!

GOODLETTSVILLE — Lyle Larson, pastor of First Baptist Church, Goodlettsville, wasn’t exactly sure how the church could be of service in the wake of the deadly tornadoes that ripped through parts of Tennessee on Dec. 9. But Larson was certain of this — the FBC staff and church members were willing to do whatever was necessary to help. Over the next few days, FBC seized the opportunity in a wide

NEWPORT — A small rural church in the Bridgeport community near Newport in Cocke County is making a difference in the lives of children in the community. For about 14 years, members of Shady Grove Baptist Church have made sure that needy children in their community will have gifts on Christmas morning. Shelly Williams, a member of Shady Grove and a first grade teacher at Bridgeport Elementary School, has been

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Baptist Convention president Jay Hardwick released a video Dec. 13 expressing concern for Tennesseans affected by the tornadoes that swept through the state last weekend and thanks for those who are responding to meet needs. “Like all of you, we were just heartbroken and grieved to see the destruction and loss that so many experienced as a result of the storms,” said Hardwick, pastor of Forest Hills

FRANKLIN — Recovery efforts have begun in earnest across the state, and Tennessee Baptists are leading the charge.   Fueled by the combined efforts of local churches and Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams, the clean-up and recuperation process is under way for the hundreds of Tennesseans who were left reeling after a series of tornadoes swept through West and Middle Tennessee on Dec. 9. The affected counties included Cheatham, Davidson,

MOUNT JULIET — With Christmas just around the corner, many Tennesseans are dealing with the aftermath of a series of tornadoes that swept through West and Middle Tennessee on Dec. 9. Tennessee Baptist DR teams responded immediately to the storms, and recovery efforts are under way. The Tennessee Emergency Management Association (TEMA) reported Dec. 10 that the Storm Prediction Center’s preliminary findings cited 13 tornadoes from Saturday storms. Counties affected