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News Articles by Lonnie Wilkey/Tennessee Baptist and Reflector

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After wildfire, pastor’s widow has unwavering faith

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (BP) -- Ruth Martin isn't likely to ever forget Nov. 28, 2016 -- the day she became homeless. The 91-year-old widow of a Tennessee Baptist pastor left her home of 40-plus years that night with just the clothes she was wearing. As wildfire surrounded her home atop a mountain road overlooking the city of Gatlinburg, she and her son and daughter, who also had houses on the property, did what has come naturally over the years -- they prayed. With their cars blocked by fallen trees, they did not know if they could even get off the mountain. Martin's daughter, Debbie Gillespie, said she prayed, "Lord, if You want us off this mountain, You will have to send someone to get us." A moment after that prayer, she saw the headlights of a truck just a few houses down the mountain.

Tenn. board learns Carson-Newman Univ. accepts BF&M

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (BP) -- The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board has been informed that Carson-Newman University trustees have acted to "incorporate the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message and the Preamble as part of the standards and regulations concerning the operations of the university." The TBMB's board of directors, in their Sept. 12 meeting, also heard the response of the committee which has been in dialogue with C-N officials during the past year: "The Partner Ministries Committee of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board appreciates and receives the positive response of the Carson-Newman University ...

WWII-era couple’s sacrifice yields new Hispanic church

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (BP) -- Missions has been a way of life for Earl and Violet Newcomb since the mid-1950s in helping start six churches. Earl Newcomb served as song leader while operating a business in Franklin, Tenn., and Violet served as pianist and church treasurer. "Lord, open the door and we will go," they always said. In 1975 the couple helped begin their last church, Harpeth First Baptist in rural ...

Amid youth sports teams, where does God figure in?

A conscious effort is needed to keep youth attuned to God and active in church amid the pressures of their baseball, soccer and basketball leagues, three dads tell Lonnie Wilkey of the Tennessee Baptist and Reflector.