FRANKLIN — The Baptist and Reflector’s website celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025.
The website, officially launched in October of 2015, serves as a resource for Tennessee Baptists, not only providing a landing page for stories that are included in the B&R print edition, but also as an outlet for breaking news — before it hits the paper.
In 2025, the website featured numerous stories, from both the local and national level, that garnered heavy traffic and thousands of “clicks” from our readers.
Listed below is a recap of the five most-viewed stories that were written by the B&R staff in 2025:
TBMB restructures staff to support Acts 2:17 Initiative
This story, written by B&R editor Chris Turner, was posted on the website on Jan. 8. The story announced a series of staff changes at the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board that were part of a restructuring plan aimed at better addressing ministry needs affirmed through the Acts 2:17 Initiative.
The story noted that the restructuring involved “phasing out some legacy positions, leading to layoffs allowing the reallocation of resources toward roles needed to support the initiative’s mission.”
Randy C. Davis, TBMB president and executive director, said: “These are important days of transition for Tennessee Baptists and the TBMB as we begin to implement the Acts 2:17 Initiative. However, such change brings difficult decisions.
We’ve had to say goodbye to coworkers, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ who have served Tennessee Baptists and the TBMB faithfully. It’s been a privilege to serve the Lord alongside them, and we owe them a great debt of gratitude.”
Tennessee pastor begins senior adult revivals called ‘Redeployed’
This story, written by B&R managing editor David Dawson, was posted April 29. The story focused on a new ministry created by retired Tennessee pastor Mike Dawson, who launched a series of revivals for senior adults in Tennessee and across the South.
The central purpose of the revivals — called “Redeployed” — was two-fold, Dawson said.
Mike Dawson and his wife, Jolene.
“First, we want the revivals to inspire senior adults to be involved in the life of the church — involved in the praying, witnessing, worshiping, giving, and serving,” Dawson, 86, said. “Secondly, we want senior adults to be inspired to be supportive of their church. We want them to understand that, together, they are a mighty army, and they can make a difference.”
In the months that transpired after the story was posted, the Redeployed revival series was held at seven different churches, including four churches in Tennessee. Several more revivals are scheduled for 2026, and one is already on the books for 2027.
Dawson, who served in Tennessee as senior pastor at Dalewood Baptist, Nashville, and First Baptist Church, Columbia, during his 52 years of full-time ministry, said he plans to continue doing the Redeployed series “as long as the Lord will allow me to do it.”
Murphree succeeds Choate in BCM role
This story, written by TBMB communications specialist Zoë Watkins, was posted June 30. The story announced to B&R readers that Stacy Murphree, who was serving as the Baptist collegiate minister at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville at the time, would be the successor to Bill Choate as the state’s director of campus ministries.
Murphree’s new role was to lead ministers at 23 Baptist Collegiate Ministries on campuses across Tennessee.
Choate, who had served in the role since 1998, had announced his retirement earlier in the year. Choate passed away in December 2025 after a brief battle with cancer.
In the story, Murphree said she was eager to see what the Lord had in store for her in her new position.
“I am excited to continue serving Tennessee Baptists in a new role,” Murphree said. “I’m thankful for the priority placed on reaching college students in Tennessee. Our TBMB vision is for every Tennessean to hear the gospel. Through BCM, our desire is for every college student to hear and know the gospel.”
Summit 2025: New TBC officers elected
This story, compiled by B&R managing editor David Dawson and TBMB communications specialist Zoë Watkins, was posted on Nov. 13 of last year. The story announced newly elected officers of the Tennessee Baptist Convention following the 2025 annual meeting (Summit).
Photo by Jim Veneman
The new officers included Dan Spencer, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Sevierville, as TBC president. Spencer replaced former president Jay Hardwick, senior pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church, after he completed a two-year term.
David Evans, pastor of Springfield Baptist Church, was elected TBC vice president.
The story also announced the election of individuals who would fill a brand-new position: regional vice president to represent each of Tennessee’s three Grand Regions.
Ben Cowell, pastor of Brownsville Baptist Church, was elected West Tennessee regional VP; Maurice Hollingsworth, pastor of Pleasant Heights Baptist Church, Columbia, was elected Middle Tennessee regional VP; and Shane Johnston, of Notchey Creek Baptist Church, Madisonville, was elected East Tennessee regional VP.
SBC 2025: Southern Baptists vote down financial transparency motion
This story, written by TBMB communications specialist Zoë Watkins, was posted June 11. The story informed B&R readers that Southern Baptist messengers at the 2025 annual meeting had rejected an amendment that would have required the Southern Baptist Convention to publish detailed financial information like IRS Form 990 disclosures.
Messengers at the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting vote during the Wednesday afternoon session. – Screenshot
The vote defeated efforts to force greater financial transparency from denominational leadership and entities, despite growing calls from some messengers for more oversight on how their contributions are managed.
Jeff Iorg, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, strongly opposed the amendment, arguing that Southern Baptist entities fought legal battles decades ago to establish First Amendment protections from such reporting requirements.
“We are not trying to hide behind that ruling, but we are instead defending that ruling,” Iorg said.
“Voluntarily offering that kind of information sends a signal that we find ourselves in some way subject to federal government oversight, which none of us want,” he said. B&R
