By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — Prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Englewood First Baptist Church collected its offerings as always — through the offering plates on Sunday morning. When churches were forced to suspend in-person services for several weeks at the onset of the pandemic, many churches in Tennessee were not prepared. On reflection, First Baptist pastor Russ Maples acknowledges the church likely

Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — It has now been almost one full year since COVID-19 first began reshaping the culture and forever changing “the world as we know it.”  Recently, the Baptist and Reflector connected with the entity heads from the various Tennessee Baptist Convention organizations to get their thoughts on the past year in regard to how the pandemic has impacted their ministries.  Here is what each had to

By Scott Barkley Baptist Press HENDERSONVILLE — Since Long Hollow Baptist Church began experiencing what pastor Robby Gallaty calls “a genuine move of God” last month, roughly 300 people have traveled to its Tennessee campus from all over the country to be baptized. One group came forward – some scheduled, others spontaneously – at the church’s first Tuesday prayer service on Jan. 19, which lasted more than two hours. Twenty-two more were

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] NASHVILLE — As COVID-19 cases continue to rise dramatically in Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee issued an executive order Dec. 20 declaring “a continuing state of emergency and major disaster in order to facilitate the response to COVID-19.” According to latest statistics from the Center for Disease Control, Tennessee now ranks as the worst state for new COVID-19 cases in the United States.