FRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Convention’s 10-year, Five Objectives emphasis draws to a close next year and Tennessee Baptists are actively seeking God’s will for the future of collaborative ministry. The Acts 2:17 Initiative was launched at the 2022 Summit held at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova with messengers participating in listening sessions during their annual meeting.  The name comes from Acts 2:17 which notes that “in the last days

Tim Shelton, pastor of groups leadership and family life at Memphis-area Bellevue Baptist Church, passed away on Oct. 8 after participating in an Ironman competition the day before when he suffered cardiac arrest. Bellevue Baptist posted on their Facebook page, “It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Tim Shelton, Bellevue’s Pastor of Groups Leadership and Family Life. During a triathlon Saturday, October 7, Tim

MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are needed for response efforts in New England, Florida and a local project in Pikeville, Tenn., according to Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. In Florida, chainsaw and tarping teams are needed through the end of October as volunteers continue to help those affected from the recent hurricane, Jones said. “There are still many trees on houses

STANTON — Although First Baptist Church, Pulaski, is located roughly three hours from Stanton, the members of FBC aren’t allowing the 150-mile separation to keep them from doing what they feel called to do. Having gone “all in” on their mission to make an impact for Christ at Blue Oval City — the massive Ford auto plant being built in Stanton — the members of FBC are seizing their opportunities.

HARROGATE — Bob Finch served for six years as a director of missions in Kentucky before accepting the same position with Cumberland Gap Baptist Association, headquartered in Harrogate, two years ago. “The Lord put me there to get me ready for here,” affirmed Finch who is from Rochester, N.Y. and is retired from the Air Force. He has ties to Tennessee through his wife, Sharon, who grew up in nearby

NEWPORT — For approximately 30 years, churches in East Tennessee Baptist Association have been ministering to migrant workers in Cocke County in one form or another. Mike Hensley, former pastor of Swannsylvania Baptist Church, Dandridge, was one of several individuals and pastors in the association who played an instrumental role in developing the ministry. Hensley is still active in it today as director of missions for the association. Though the

FRANKLIN — Directors of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board are proposing a Cooperative Program budget of $35 million for 2023-24. If approved by messengers during the annual meeting at The Summit in Chattanooga in November, it will be the fourth consecutive year the budget has stayed at $35 million. The budget allocation will remain the same: 52.5 percent for Tennessee Baptist Convention ministries and 47.5 percent for the Southern Baptist

HARRIMAN — When James Griffith became pastor of South Harriman Baptist Church nearly two years ago, he knew he was coming to a church that believed in and supported missions.  One thing he observed, however, was the church’s support of the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions was not near the level of support for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering or the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.  The church has traditionally had

GERMANTOWN — Matt Brown, senior pastor of Germantown Baptist Church, Germantown, will be nominated as president-elect of the Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference during its meeting Nov. 14 in Chattanooga. Ben Cowell, pastor of Brownsville Baptist Church, Brownsville, announced his plans to nominate Brown on Sept. 7. “Matt is a dear brother with many years of faithful service in pastoral ministry,” Cowell said. 

CALHOUN — While some churches have gone from traditional Sunday Schools to small groups at nontraditional times and locations, Sunday School is still part of the strategy to fulfill the Great Commission at Calhoun First Baptist Church.  “This would not be possible without the dedicated teachers who study and prepare each week to lead their class/small group through a study of God’s Word,” affirmed pastor Toby Brogden. One such teacher,