WHITE PINE — A spike in fuel costs has created a response of biblical proportions.  Danny Newman, Bill Etter and fellow servants involved in Jefferson County Baptist Association Disaster Relief are volunteering scores of hours weekly to provide firewood to those in need. Working from a White Pine staging area, the trained emergency responders collect, cut and split wood. The ministry has several purposes. According to the group’s landing page

FRANKLIN — For most people, the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas are firmly linked to merriment and joy. It’s a time of celebration, singing, gift-giving and time-honored family traditions.  But what about those who are not experiencing comfort and joy?  Research reveals that vast amounts of individuals deal with grief, loneliness, anxiety and/or depression during the holidays.  The World Health Organization  and National Alliance on Mental Illness report that individuals

CORDOVA — Longtime church music leader Martha H. Kirkland has been chosen as the third recipient of the annual Paul B. Clark Church Music Ministry Award. The award is presented by the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference to recognize individuals who exemplify outstanding, courageous leadership through their commitment, influence and contributions to the ministry through music in the local church, said Scott Shepherd, worship and music specialist for the Tennessee

KNOXVILLE — John Green highly recommended glow sticks and nighttime running gear for his church’s inaugural 5K Moon Run/Walk. Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, where Green is senior pastor, hosted the nighttime fun run Dec. 2 at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville. Dubbed the Moon Run in memory of Lottie Moon, a Southern Baptist missionary to China from 1873 to 1912, proceeds from the event will raise funds for the Lottie

FRANKLIN — When the final gavel sounded at Summit on Nov. 16, an era ended. Dan Ferrell completed his 30th and last year as registration secretary for the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Ferrell also will conclude his service as a staff member of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board on Dec. 31. He is the second longest tenured staff member with 39 years of service, just behind Andy Gunn who has served

CORDOVA — The Lord’s faithfulness was the theme of the Ministers’ Wives gathering and luncheon at the annual Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Summit on Nov. 14-15 at Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova. The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board sponsored two events for ministers’ wives. The Good Cup, a coffee and dessert fellowship on Nov. 14, promoted friendships and connections and included games and door prizes.  The annual luncheon on Nov. 15, featured

NEWPORT — Debra Perrigan learned years ago that it is easy to get so caught up in getting ready for Christmas, that you can miss the true reason for the season. As a result, Perrigan developed Christmas in November, an event for women to remind them that Jesus needs to be the focus of Christmas and to show them ways to keep Christmas from becoming too stressful. Perrigan, food service