Christian Hymn Singing Fills Grand Ole Opry

  NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Grand Ole Opry House was filled Monday evening with the sound of Christians singing hymns old and new. Hymn-writers Keith and Kristyn Getty led a spirit-filled event related to a conference they are leading this week at Brentwood Baptist to promote congregational singing. The husband and wife duo from Northern Ireland divide their time between Northern Ireland and a home in Nashville. Monday’s event at the Grand Ole Opry featured several surprise guests, including Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who offered welcoming remarks and read from the Old Testament book of Zephaniah, where the Bible talks about how God “will take great delight” in his followers and “rejoice over you with singing.” Surprise musical guests included country and bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs and singer-songwriter Buddy Greene, also known as a harmonica stylist. In addition, Gary Haugen, the CEO and founder of the International Justice Mission, was introduced on stage so he could briefly talk about his group’s mission. A faith-based ministry supported and promoted by the Gettys, the IJM works to stop human trafficking. Alistair Begg, a native of Scotland who pastors a nondenominational church in Ohio and hosts a Christian radio show, also spoke briefly. The Gettys…

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Hymn-writing Gettys Lead Sold-Out Conference at Brentwood Baptist

Tennessee Star

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee – Keith and Kristyn Getty are headlining a sold-out conference at Brentwood Baptist this week designed to bring back the appeal of congregational hymn singing. A husband and wife hymn-writing team from Northern Ireland, the Gettys have become sensations among evangelical Protestants looking for something different from the contemporary worship style that has become commonplace. Once widely popular, hymns fell out of use as churches became “seeker-friendly” and began devising ways to draw in people unaccustomed to, or turned off by, the rhythms of traditional church life. Churches began relying on praise bands and contemporary worship songs. But now many of those songs are panned as both shallow and difficult for average churchgoers to sing, as they were penned as performance pieces. “We need to build deep believers,” Keith Getty told the crowd of 4,500 during the opening worship service Monday afternoon. “It’s time to grow up.” Getty said he believes congregational singing has an important role to play in maturing and strengthening the church at time when secularism is growing and nominal Christianity is destined to become a thing of the past in Western culture. The Gettys and their fellow conference presenters are encouraging pastors, church musicians and others in…

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Mt. Zion, Brentwood Baptist To Host Back-To-School Event Saturday

Mt. Zion Baptist and Brentwood Baptist are teaming up to host a back-to-school event Saturday at Hadley Park in Nashville. Called “We’re Better Together,” the event is open to the public and will offer free backpacks and health screenings. Mt. Zion is a predominantly African-American church, while Brentwood Baptist is mostly white. Both are among the largest megachurches in the area. Church leaders believe that by working together, they are setting an example for how to bridge the racial divide, and say it will be one of many partnerships. “Our congregations are growing by leaps and bounds,” said Bishop Joseph Walker III, pastor of Mt. Zion, in a news release. “So is this wonderful city. It is our responsibility to grow together and support one another. ” Walker began the annual event more than 10 years ago and has seen it grow in popularity. Pastor Mike Glenn of Brentwood Baptist said he’s excited about the chance to serve alongside Walker and demonstrate their common commitment to the Christian faith. “The diversity of the church reveals the nature and character of God in a way that no one person or church can by themselves,” Glenn said. The event aims to help…

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Brentwood Baptist To Hold Training Saturday On Combating Human Trafficking

Trafficking

Brentwood Baptist Church will hold a training this weekend on fighting human trafficking that is open to the public. The church has been working with other local churches to build awareness about human trafficking in local communities and around the world. Saturday’s training will feature leaders from Alliance for Freedom, Restoration and Juctice, Inc., Nashville Baptist Association and Brentwood Baptist’s Missions Ministry. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has said that human trafficking is the second-fasting growing criminal industry after drug trafficking, according to a press release issued by Brentwood Baptist. “While Tennessee has been ranked as the toughest state in the nation regarding state statues that protect children from commercial sex exploitation crimes, TBI acknowledges that there is a need to develop more resources to aid victims and their families,” the press release said. President Trump has called human trafficking an epidemic that is not getting enough attention. In February, he signed an executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations and international trafficking. “These groups are drivers of crime, corruption, violence, and misery,” the executive order says. “In particular, the trafficking by cartels of controlled substances has triggered a resurgence in deadly drug abuse and a corresponding rise in violent crime related to…

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NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams Shares Photos From Space At Brentwood Baptist Vacation Bible School Event

Children participating in Vacation Bible School at Brentwood Baptist Church spent this past week learning about outer space and on Friday evening got the chance to meet a real, live astronaut. NASA astronaut Jeff Williams talked about his exciting career and shared his photos from space during an event to close the week. After his presentation, families lined up to have their photo taken with him. The VBS theme was “Galactic Starveyors: Discovering the God of the Universe.” A committed Christian, Williams spoke of seeing “God’s creative work” from outer space. The photos he has taken capture how famous landmarks and terrains appear from the vantage point of space. Photos he shared Friday featured the Grand Canyon, Mt. Everest, glaciers, coral reefs and sand dunes. He also displayed a photo of the Middle East, which he said he is one of the most meaningful to him because it shows the place of the history of the entire Bible, from Old Testament times through the life of Christ. Williams said Christians can only know God through the revelation of the Bible, but that that being an astronaut has helped him appreciate God’s creation. Asked what children interested in becoming an astronaut…

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