By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] CLARKSVILLE — When Cal Hampton returned to his hometown of Clarksville in 2018 to plant 2nd Mile Church, his goal was for 2nd Mile to sponsor a church plant or replant a church within three years. Mission accomplished. 2nd Mile Church was approached by Rick Stevens, director of missions for Cumberland Baptist Association two years ago to see if the church would

By David Dawson [email protected] PARIS — Traffic jams generally aren’t something to smile about.  But Chris Downing, pastor of New Harmony Baptist Church, Paris, truly enjoys the gridlock that he sees in front of his church each December when New Harmony presents its annual drive-thru nativity scene.  This year’s event drew more than 3,000 people, and once again created quite a bit of congestion on the road in front of

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] LEXINGTON — When Clay Hallmark became pastor of First Baptist Church, Lexington, six years ago, he probably did not dream that he would be elected president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, but he did know that he would seek to become involved in convention life. Hallmark was no stranger to Tennessee. His wife, Leslie, was reared in Lexington and they both attended