Baptist and Reflector

01/12/2026

"2025: A TIME OF TRANSITIONS"; Year shaped by internal restructuring at TBMB, continued progress of Arise and Build, and record-breaking giving from Tenn. Baptists. Read about all we faced together in 2025 here: https://bit.ly/4qBzzAo

By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistYear shaped by internal restructuring at TBMB, continued progress of Arise and Build, and record-breaking giving from Tenn. Baptists FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptists experienced a year of transition in 2025, marked by structural changes, leadership shifts, and ...

01/09/2026

New from the Baptist & Reflector: PRAYER PROMPTS ANCHOR YEAR-LONG FOCUS ON REVIVAL https://bit.ly/4s9pcFr

Baptist and ReflectorFRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptists are preparing for a year focused on prayer in 2026, with weekly prompts centered on three key areas: praying for those without Christ, praying for the church, and praying for pastors. The “Prayer Matters” weekly resource will feature these thr...

01/09/2026

It's the beginning of the year, it's the first edition of the Baptist & Reflector in 2026, and it's the first News Roundup with Zoë Watkins!! Aren't you so excited??

01/08/2026

New from the Baptist & Reflector: WHAT IS A RURAL CHURCH AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? https://bit.ly/4qrNusN

By Kyle BueermannLifeway Christian ResourcesThe question before us seems simple enough. Yet the answer is a bit more elusive than it may appear at first glance. At its most simple, the definition of a rural church would be: A rural church is a body of believers who gather in and serve in a rural com...

01/07/2026

New from the Baptist & Reflector: GRACE BAPTIST RAISES 4K AT ‘LOTTIE’S LIGHTS’ EVENT https://bit.ly/4qzTQq9

Baptist and ReflectorTULLAHOMA — Grace Baptist Church, Tullahoma, hosted Lottie’s Lights Christmas Dinner on Dec. 7. During the event, a line of Christmas trees was on display, each one decorated by a Sunday School class. (A total of 17 classes participated). Attendees at the event voted for the...

01/07/2026

New from the Baptist & Reflector: DEATH TOLL RISES FOLLOWING ATTACKS IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA https://bit.ly/4bkJlCr

B&R staff reportNIGER STATE, Nigeria — Militants have killed at least 58 people in Christian villages in northern Nigeria since Christmas, and kidnapped others from a Catholic boarding school, according to multiple media reports. At least 14 people are dead and four remain missing after suspected ...

01/06/2026

New from the Baptist & Reflector: 5 HABITS TO MODERATE TECHNOLOGY USAGE https://bit.ly/3YlpyLK

By Justin Whitmel EarleyLifeway Christian ResourcesI was 30 years old when my mental breakdown happened. In retrospect, I’m thankful it was as early as it was. I was a missionary in China in my 20s, but I felt called to make a pivot and went to law school. So I was 30 years old with […]

01/05/2026

"STATE CONVENTIONS HOLD CP GIVING PERCENTAGES STEADY, CELEBRATE CP 100"; This fall, just five of the 42 state and regional Baptist conventions in the Southern Baptist family adjusted the percentage of CP receipts they forward to SBC causes. In comparison, 11 states made changes last year. Twenty-three made changes a decade ago. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4aGgh8n

By David RoachBaptist PressNASHVILLE (BP) – The Cooperative Program (CP) landscape continues to change, but the rate of change may be slowing. This fall, just five of the 42 state and regional Baptist conventions in the Southern Baptist family adjusted the percentage of CP receipts they forward to...

12/24/2025

Bill Choate served Tennessee Baptists through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board for 42 years. His ministry included roles as associate campus minister at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1984–89); campus minister at Vanderbilt University (1989–99); and director of collegiate ministries for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (1999–2025).

Read more here https://baptistandreflector.org/former-bcm-leader-bill-choate-dies-at-67/

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tennessee Baptist Collegiate Ministries through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board giving page here: https://app.easytithe.com/App/Form/c62e2878-de67-4baf-9f39-5570dad30ebe

A link to Choate’s full obituary is available at the link provided here: https://www.legacy.com/legacy/william-choate

Baptist and ReflectorNASHVILLE — William “Bill” Choate, a longtime leader of Baptist Collegiate Ministry in Tennessee whose influence shaped generations of college students, died Dec. 19 at age 67. Choate served Tennessee Baptists through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board for 42 years. His m...

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...