Baptist and Reflector

12/19/2025

We are saddened to update you with news of our longtime friend and coworker Bill Choate’s passing overnight. We received the following update from Jennifer, and would like to pass it along to our TN Baptist Community:

I wanted to update you with news of Bill's passing overnight.

Bill was an incredible husband and father, a loyal friend, and a respected leader. After his health declined recently, he spent his final couple of days at Alive Hospice. We are so grateful for their exceptional care and for the fact that Bill was comfortable and at peace.

He had such a wonderful community. The visits, support, and outpouring of love he received over these last few months brought him great joy and comfort.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers during this time.

12/11/2025

New from the Baptist & Reflector: COOPERATIVE PROGRAM SEES HEALTHY START TO FISCAL YEAR https://bit.ly/490RF8T

Baptist PressNASHVILLE (BP) – Cooperative Program giving continued to be strong during the second month of the fiscal year, again coming in above the budget goal. November undesignated giving came in at $15,318,466.87 which was 2.06% above the budget goal of $15,010,000. The monthly total was 2.99...

12/10/2025

“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the beloved animated television program, turns 60 this year! But it almost did not air. Despite network executives’ concerns, it made its tv debut on Thursday, Dec. 9, 1965. The result: More than 15 million homes tuned in.

By Kelly BoggsGuest writer “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the beloved animated television program, turns 50 this year. It is hard to imagine that it almost did not air. Network executives thought it moved too slowly for a Christmas special. They also were convinced that the absence of a laugh trac...

12/08/2025

"TBMB INTRODUCES 545 WELLNESS COMMUNITY SESSIONS FOR PASTORS"; The 545 Wellness Community, an online accountability program, will offer two five-month sessions next year designed to address a significant fitness gap among TBC ministers. Read more here: https://bit.ly/44Pi3QH

Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board is launching a new health and wellness program aimed at helping pastors develop consistent exercise habits and improve their physical fitness in 2026. The 545 Wellness Community, an online accountability program, will offer two fi...

12/06/2025

You know her, you love her - Zoë is back with another news roundup! What's going on in Tennessee right now?? Go to baptistandreflector.org to find out!!!

12/06/2025

New from the Baptist & Reflector: APISON BAPTIST’S FOOD PANTRY SEES GROWTH AS ‘SMALL MIRACLE’ https://bit.ly/48zMn2J

By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistAPISON — The community food pantry at Apison Baptist Church saw an uptick in demand this past November when the government shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits, forcing families to seek emergency food assistance. On one Friday in November, 61 new family units so...

12/05/2025

New from the Baptist & Reflector: COURT REVIVES PATTERSON DEFAMATION CASE; SBC ABUSE SUIT REACHES TN HIGH COURT https://bit.ly/49Wvd1R

By Scott BarkleyBaptist PressDistrict Court issues two decisions for Southwestern and Patterson in Roe case TYLER, Texas (BP) – Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary remains dismissed from claims of defamation in a case involving the school and its former president, Paige Patterson, with the l...

12/04/2025

"KEELING BAPTIST FOOD MINISTRY INCLUDES OUTREACH, EVANGELISM"; “We’re a small church, but we have lots of participation from our members in this ministry...it’s been very exciting to see us do something that is really making a difference in our community.” Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3Y63RPp

By David DawsonManaging editor, Baptist and ReflectorSTANTON — It’s amazing what a small church with a big heart can do. Keeling Baptist Church, for instance, doesn’t have a megachurch membership, but does have a mega-passion for reaching others for Christ. Located near BlueOval City in Stanto...

12/03/2025

"STANDING FIRM IN A SEASON OF CHANGE"; "Transitions are never easy, but they are essential for growth. However, change intended to multiply an eternal impact must stand firmly on an immovable foundation." Read more from Dr. Davis here: https://bit.ly/3Y2PCuG

By Randy C. DavisPresident & executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission BoardChange is uncomfortable. It means leaving the familiar for which there is a routine that creates repetition, that creates efficiency. People will often say about an organization when it reaches that point that “It runs...

11/22/2025

New from the Baptist & Reflector: SUMMIT 2025: CONFERENCE ENCOURAGES PASTORS TO BOAST IN THE LORD https://bit.ly/3LKByDz

By Amy De GrootFor the Baptist and ReflectorJACKSON — Christ-followers will never convince people of the great glory of our God while parading around our own wisdom, explained Mac Brunson at the 2025 Tennessee Baptist Convention Pastors Conference at West Jackson Baptist Church on Nov. 10. Underst...

11/21/2025

New from the Baptist & Reflector: TURNING UP THE TEMPERATURE: HOW PASTORS INFLUENCE THE CHURCH’S PRAYER CLIMATE https://bit.ly/3LMm9m8

By Kie BowmanSBC National Director of PrayerNote: The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board works to equip leaders, cultivate prayer warriors of all ages, and provide training, workshops, and retreats, with the goal to foster a statewide culture of prayer that fuels disciple-making and advances God’s Ki...

11/21/2025

Reflecting on last week with the Baptist & Reflector: SUMMIT 2025: ADVANCING TOGETHER https://bit.ly/4r494oo

By David DawsonManaging editor, Baptist and ReflectorJACKSON — Summit 2025 was heavy on celebration, collaboration and cooperation. Messengers at the annual gathering of Tennessee Baptists displayed unity while unanimously electing Dan Spencer as president, unanimously approving a $35 million budg...