David Dawson

NEWPORT, Tenn. -- Eastern Tennessee experienced significant and widespread damage Friday afternoon due to torrential rains and high winds from Hurricane Helene.

DALLAS (BP) -- Amid the perplexing and potentially divisive issues facing the denomination, Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines said the formula for unity and restoration is surprisingly uncomplicated. "Stop talking about how big your problems are, and start talking about how big your God is," Gaines said in his presidential address Tuesday morning (June 12) at the SBC's annual meeting in Dallas.

SOUTHBURY, Ct. (BP) -- Myron Havrilchak was among thousands whose houses and property in southeast Connecticut were substantially damaged by tornadoes that recently swept through the area. And yet, when a Tennessee Baptist disaster relief team arrived at Havrilchak's residence in Southbury, they quickly realized something was on his mind that meant more to him than brick and mortar. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Havrilchak proudly flies a flag in his backyard. But the storms had destroyed his flagpole and the 86-year-old was focused, with the heart of a soldier, on rectifying the problem.

MANCHESTER, Tenn. (BP) -- Ignoring the heat and the insects, Bill Thompson maneuvered his way through the tall grass, weaving through the maze of parked cars and pop-up tents that were jammed together in the massive open field at Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tenn. The path wasn't especially easy to navigate for the 85-year-old Thompson. But he relentlessly pressed on, determined to complete his two-pronged mission: Sharing the Good News of Jesus to the massive collection of attendees at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and honoring the legacy of his late wife, Gerri.

MANCHESTER, Tenn. (BP) -- The line outside the tent is lengthy, but it moves along steadily and orderly. Even at 10:30 in the morning, long before any musical acts have taken the stage, the 'Jesus Tent' is buzzing with activity at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Bringing to mind the image of the occupants boarding Noah's Ark, the processional of young adults, often arriving in pairs, gradually makes its way closer and closer to the tent in Manchester, Tenn., about an hour's drive south of Nashville.