evangelism

‘WE SERVE CHURCHES’ — IT ISN’T JUST A SLOGAN

November 13, 2019

By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director You shared your concerns. We carefully listened. And now I want to prayerfully respond on behalf of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Several of us from the TBMB have recently engaged with over 500 Tennessee Baptists during nearly two dozen listening sessions across our state. We initiated these sessions with the sole purpose of learning from you and using what we

THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL, THIRTY YEARS LATER

November 11, 2019

By Mike Creswell and Joanna Pinneo IMB communications Editor’s note: Thirty years ago, on November 9, 1989, East Germans were allowed to travel to the West, and the Berlin Wall was subsequently dismantled. To commemorate this world-changing event, we’re republishing an excerpt from the Foreign Mission Board’s (now IMB’s) The Commission magazine. The following excerpt was printed in January 1990, two months after East Germans were allowed to travel to

BIG BOOST FOR BIG EMORY

October 23, 2019

Location change has led to new ministry opportunities Editor’s Note: Baptist associations are the emphasis on the Southern Baptist Convention calendar Oct. 20-26. Tennessee Baptists have 65 associations across the state. Here is a look at Big Emory Baptist Association based in Harriman. By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] HARRIMAN — Three years ago, Big Emory Baptist Association moved from the site it had occupied since 1969 to

THE ABCs OF GEN Z

October 10, 2019

TBMB leads seminars on how to reach this easily-distracted demographic By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] SHELBYVILLE — “Does anyone know what a slo-fie is?” asked Donna Blaydes as she glanced around the classroom filled with adults. After a few moments of mostly blank stares and silence, Blaydes explained that the term, which is only about three weeks old, refers to slow-motion “selfies” that can be recorded with the

EVANGELISTIC ENERGY

October 9, 2019

NAMB tour helps believers learn to share gospel By Brandon Elrod Baptist Press FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Mark Hoover, pastor of First Baptist Church in Hayti, Mo., is looking for a new “one.” After witnessing long distance to his brother, Dusty, who lives in their home state of Mississippi, Hoover saw him come to Christ. Inspired by what God had done in his life, Dusty drove several hours to Hayti

VICTORY FORMATION

September 25, 2019

C-N football program sees 10 players make professions By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] JEFFERSON CITY — Big decisions are often made at football camp. Who is going to be the starting tailback? What scheme is the new defensive coordinator going to install? Is the kick returner going to be used at wide receiver? Important choices, for sure. Choices that can ultimately determine a team’s success. And yet, those

SPORTS OFFER OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE GOSPEL WITH KIDS

August 27, 2019

By Ashley Perham Baptist & Reflector intern NASHVILLE — As a boy, Jon Visser had dreamed of playing professional baseball. He got his opportunity in the early 2000s in the Texas-Louisiana League, now called the Central League. But while he was traveling through Texas, God gave him a different dream. “While I was traveling around on the busses, I was thinking, ‘How can I serve God with my talents and

UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO COOPERATIVE PROGRAM ENABLES TENNESSEE BAPTISTS TO REACH MONUMENTAL PLATEAU

August 26, 2019

By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — The oversized check was just a prop. The significance of the moment, however, was very real. During a recent ceremony at the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Church Support Center in Franklin, TBMB president and executive director Randy C. Davis presented a Goliath-sized check to Augie Boto of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. The amount was for $500,000,000, which represents the

BOWDEN TALKS FAITH, FOOTBALL AT STUDENT EVENT

August 22, 2019

By Timothy Cockes Baptist Press intern LEXINGTON — Tommy Bowden, former college football coach at Clemson University, recently spoke to hundreds of Tennessee high school football students about the importance of making good decisions in life. Bowden said he wanted to emphasize for the more than 700 players, representing more than five counties and 12 schools, the importance of having the right priorities in life by putting God first. The

FROM CROSSFIRE TO THE CROSS: REDEMPTION IN MEMPHIS

August 6, 2019

By Ashley Perham Baptist & Reflector intern MEMPHIS — Ronnie Johnson, pastor of Miracle of Redemption Church, Memphis, has been shot four times and stabbed seven times. In his leg, he carries the scars of a 12-gauge shotgun wound the size of a softball. “Of course I shot other folks too,” said Johnson. Johnson was part of the gang Gangster Disciples until June 1, 1995, when he got “sick and

evangelism

‘WE SERVE CHURCHES’ — IT ISN’T JUST A SLOGAN