NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board directors approved a new collaborative ministry model, examined financial reports, and voted to maintain a two-day schedule for this year’s Summit during their spring meeting at Judson Baptist Church on April 29. The board also celebrated several ministry milestones while addressing the implementation of organizational changes following a recent 13% staff reduction that has created financial flexibility for the new operational approach. Randy

BCM students from Tennessee spend spring break on mission field COOKEVILLE — “All God needs from me is obedience and a willingness to serve,” said Hayden Giuttari, a Baptist Collegiate Ministry student from Tennessee Tech University. Guittari joined other TTU BCM students to assist with disaster relief in East Tennessee during their spring break. Across Tennessee, BCM Collegiate ministry specialists mobilized over 100 students to follow Jesus’ call to reach

WAVERLY — W.B. “Buddy” Frazier and Odell Poyner don’t hunt, fish, or golf. “And if you don’t do one of those three things in our county, there’s not a lot of hobbies for you, is there?” said Frazier with a chuckle. Instead, these two men have dedicated their lives to serving the town of Waverly:  Frazier as mayor for the past decade and Poyner as Humphreys County Emergency Management Agency

Stephanie Edwards touches the world through Jubilee Trading Co.’s faith-centered mission LAWRENCEBURG — Stephanie Edwards navigates rows of tall, unfinished wooden shelves, touching the world with each reach into one of the hundreds of cardboard boxes filled with exotic goods. Quality-stitched leather purses from North Africa, decorative canvas banners from East Africa, handmade slippers from West Asia, cotton towels from Turkey, and ornate artisan jewelry from East Asia line the

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University has partnered with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board to launch a new Worship Arts Camp for high school students, scheduled for June 8 – 11. The four-day residential camp aims to develop the next generation of church worship leaders and technical support staff by offering specialized training for students who currently lead worship in youth groups or feel called to serve in music or technology

SEVIERVILLE — Two years ago, God gave lead pastor Anthony Kendall and Connect Church in Sevierville a heart for prison ministry in Sevier County. The church began by buying a Recovery Bible for every prisoner in the county, Kendall said, adding that the Bibles were in response to a need and request from inmates and jail officials. “That was just the beginning of a great relationship with the sheriff and

Eastview Baptist Church in Huntingdon celebrates new sanctuary, church growth HUNTINGDON — Twenty people and $1.67 in the bank. This is all Eastview Baptist in Huntingdon had 11 years ago when Hunter Jones became their full-time pastor. “God has continued to bless and grow the church miraculously, faithfully, financially — in every way you can imagine,” said Jones. From those humble beginnings, Eastview has grown to a 500-person congregation. Since

Pastor witnesses unexpected reunion of descendants of famed Batts, Bell families SPRINGFIELD — David Evans, pastor of Springfield Baptist, recently welcomed two youths into the faith with baptism. It was a moment of celebration for family and friends — and it revealed a centuries-old connection. “As I’m going through all the baptism plans with the family, their mom says, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m the eighth-generation grandchild of Kate Batts,’”

ELIZABETHTON — Sitting down with Kaye and John Thomas inside Grace Baptist Church to learn about their almost 30 years working with Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) turns into an impromptu version of show and tell. While Kaye explains their role with the organization, she’s interrupted, almost on cue, by a volunteer. He reports to her about a man who needs electrical and plumbing work for the house he’s built