DR. MILLSAPS - Tennessee Baptist Children`s Home

@TBCH
Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes ● Fall 2015
In This Issue
A FINAL LETTER FROM
DR. MILLSAPS
PICTURED: OUTGOING PRESIDENT DR. BRYANT
MILLSAPS AND PRESIDENT-ELECT
BRO. GREG MCCOY
On October, 17, the Factory in Franklin will host “I Cared For One,” an annual fall fundraising
event for the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes. It is a business casual event featuring
dinner, auction, activities and entertainment.
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Jimmy Wayne and Abby White!
Jimmy Wayne is a former foster kid turned country
music singer/songwriter whose songs and story
highlight his mission to bring awareness to kids who
age out of the foster care system and become
homeless.
Abby White played the lead role of a foster child in
the short film ReMoved.
MY FINAL LETTER
AS PRESIDENT
Dr. Bryant Millsaps
I
n the years gone by since January 1st, 2000, I have
written over 60 opening letters for our TBCH newsletter.
With my forthcoming retirement on December 31st
from active engagement in the day-to-day operations
of this wonderful ministry, this will be my last letter to
welcome you as one of our cherished colleagues,
volunteers, pastors, and donors to the pages of @TBCH.
I want to use this space to share some closing thoughts
with you about TBCH going forward, the scope of its
ministry, the certain challenges that it will face, and
the excellent leader that will assume the duties of the
office of President/Treasurer.
From where I sit, the future ministry opportunities for
TBCH will be extraordinary. As the lives and futures of
Tennessee’s children and their families continue to battle a world that has lost its moral compass, the need for
Christ-centered residential childcare will only increase
in the years ahead. As we prepare to celebrate our
125th anniversary of ministry, it appears that TBCH will
be one of a small group of ministries that meet these
ever changing conditions and circumstances that are
washing over our families by responding in a Christ-centered way. That will be possible because for the entirety of the past 125 years, TBCH has trusted God and His
people for the meeting of our needs.
Due to the changing mores within both the world in general and among Christians in particular, ministries like
TBCH will have to battle the forces of cultural change in
order to hold the line for Christ in the lives of the children
and families in our care. On almost a weekly, even daily basis, the Christ-centered world view is increasingly
coming under attack. TBCH seems to be making great
progress in demonstrating to all who focus on the quality of both residential and foster care in Tennessee that
TBCH provides the highest level of secure, safe, and
nurturing care for children and families in crisis.
For TBCH to remain at the forefront of caring for
children and families in crisis, we must continue to raise
awareness of how important the financial generosity
of Tennessee Baptist churches, as well as other
evangelicals across both Tennessee and America, is to
the future stability of this wonderful ministry. Without
the ongoing, faithful generosity of both current and
future donors, it will become increasingly more difficult
to maintain the broad scope of TBCH’s ministry to the
growing needs of families in our state.
While all of this is both challenging and the cause for
some concern, God has answered our prayers for a
strong, dedicated, Christ follower to lead in the years
ahead. On January 1st, Greg McCoy-- former pastor
at First Baptist Church, Portland-- will assume all of the
duties of the office of President/Treasurer of TBCH. It
was amazing to see how God moved in the work of
the TBCH Board of Trustees President/Treasurer Search
Committee to come to recommend Bro. Greg to the
full Board in September of 2014. He joined our staff on
November 1st, and has been hard at work getting to
know our statewide staff, our opportunities, our challenges, and the ever changing dynamics that go along
with both the ministry and the reputation of excellence
that is synonymous with TBCH. I urge you to remember
Bro. Greg, our statewide staff, and all of the children
and families that are in our care in your daily prayers.
Robbie and our entire family join me in saying thank
you for the privilege of serving the Lord at TBCH. We
particularly want to express our gratitude to Dr. Gerald
Stow and his wife Barbara for their confidence, faithful
prayer support, and constant encouragement over the
last 18 years. We are excited about what the Lord is
going to do in the ministry of TBCH in the days, months,
and years ahead.
With gratitude for your dedication to the children and
families in crisis in Tennessee,
Dr. Bryant Millsaps
need it from us. TBCH will strive
for excellence in every aspect
of our ministry.
A WORD
FROM
BRO. GREG
TBCH President-Elect
Safe Environment – We want every child to feel safe from physical and emotional harm. It’s a
scary world. We will make it as
kid-safe as we possibly can.
Stewardship – TBCH will be wise
stewards of the lives, time, energy and financial resources God
provides for this ministry.
Guided by these values, I desire
to enable and equip our campus staff as well as our foster
care staff with what they need
to meet the needs of children
who find themselves in very difficult situations. Your continued
prayers and financial partnership are needed and will be
gratefully received for what they
are – a gift from the Lord.
T
he year is quickly passing by!
In just a few short weeks we
will be in Millington for The
Summit and then shortly thereafter celebrating Dr. Millsaps’ retirement. I am so grateful for the
TBCH Board of Trustees allowing
our tenures to overlap. I not only
enjoy the time I spend with Dr.
Millsaps, I value it. I am attempting to be as “sponge-like” as
possible. I don’t have to tell you
whose telephone number will be
on speed dial come January!
People often ask me about my
vision for TBCH. Every time that
question is posed, my mind goes
to the values that guide everything we do. God has a distinct
plan and direction for us and as
He reveals His will I find that the
guiding principles are always
these five core values:
People – God cares more about
people than anything else. He
has a particular concern for
people in need. TBCH will show
the compassion and love of
Christ to every child and family
to which we minister.
Grace/Faith/Trust – The basis of
our relationship with Jesus, and
what everybody needs. We
have been shown grace, and
we will show it. TBCH operates
on faith with our trust in the Lord
for continued provision and direction.
I look forward to seeing many of
you at The Summit. Please stop
by the TBCH Booth in the Exhibit Hall where you can sign up to
take a tour of the Double “B”
Boy’s Ranch. The Ranch is only
2 ½ miles from FBC, Millington!
You will be glad you took thirty
minutes to see how God is using your Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes to impact the lives
of young men.
Got to go now. I have a question for Dr. Millsaps,
Bro. Greg McCoy
Excellence – God expects it
from us. Children and families
DID YOU KNOW? TBCH CHILDREN ARE
OFTEN PRIVATELY PLACED BY FAMILY
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ACCREDITATION
UPDATE
A component of TBCH’s foster care agreement
with the Department of Children’s Services is formal
accreditation with the Council on Accreditation
(COA). We began this process back in February
of 2014, and we are pleased to report a glowing
review!
Accreditation involved standardizing our practices organization-wide, and in many cases simply
documenting good practices we have always
followed.
TBCH staff were praised by COA peer-reviewers for
their organization and presentation of necessary
materials. Likewise, our residential care program
was praised for “providing everything a youth
could want. Each cottage feels like a home, not
an institution.” The reviewers went on to note the
“outstanding achievements” of our children on
campus.
Our foster care program also received high marks
for having a large pool of foster families in place,
and for the high level of training of our foster care
staff.
Overall, the review process shined a light on what
we’ve always known: when you do things God’s
way, you’re doing things the right way!
A Fun Day
at the Lake
Ron Harris (Dayton, TN) has
been a Baptist his whole life,
and he had been making
donations to TBCH for years.
When his company, Money
Concepts Wealth Management & Financial Planning,
decided to begin sponsoring local organizations,
Harris knew one he wanted
to bring attention towards.
“Years ago, I thought TBCH
was an orphan home,” he told us. “That’s not the
case exactly, but we as a society have created a
new class of orphan.” Harris says he knew he and
his organization could help.
Harris hosted members from the community, along
with TBCH kids and houseparents at his home for a
“Fun Day at the Lake.” An opportunity for the kids
to enjoy themselves in the water, the event also included bluegrass band “Valley Grace,” slowboat
rides, and a hotdog supper.
This was more than just a fun activity, though. The
event raised over $8,000 for the Chattanooga
campus! Harris says this is only the beginning of
a partership between his organization adn ours.
“When you get these kids’ lives back on track, all
of society benefits.”
Devotions @TBCH
This issue, we’re debuting the first in a series of devotions from TBCH staff. Below, you’ll hear from Amanda Mae
Steele, Administrative Assistant of Development, on the unexpected path that God took her life.
Follow HIM
For the better part of
my youth, I
by Amanda Mae Steele
lived by the
adage “follow your dreams.” At 18, I followed my
dreams to Indiana University, where I earned my
degree in Vocal Performance and Theatre in 2006.
Next stop, the entertainment capital of the world
– Hollywood.
Living expenses in Los Angeles were astronomical in Nashville. God’s provision was abundant and
and I, like most starving artists, became some- sweet – we found a strong Bible-teaching church,
thing I did not expect: a professional juggler – of our neighbors were the epitome of Southern hospijobs. I averaged five jobs/gigs at any given time tality, and Nick and I experienced exciting growth
and have amassed quite a
in our entertainment
TRUST
IN
THE
LORD
WITH
ALL
YOUR
collection of random skills.
careers.But life has its
seasons and soon I was
HEART, DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN
In 2011, I married my colback to juggling.
UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS
lege sweetheart, Nick (also
ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE
a musician). I thought I’d
On a beautiful April
just keep living life as I YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT. PROVERBS 3:5-6 morning in 2014, I set
knew it, not realizing marout for a temporary job
riage changes EVERYTHING. I quickly found out assignment thinking it would be just that – temthat “juggling” and caring for two more bodies porary. I found myself smiling as I drove through
and hearts (we have a puppy, Dino) was much TBCH Brentwood’s lush green campus, eyeing the
different than going at it alone.
beautiful trees, quaint cottages and colorful playEventually, the irregular cycle of being an artist – grounds. Most of all, there was peace in my heart.
search, work, wait, (hopefully get paid), repeat – It wasn’t in my plan to be here 18 months later,
was too exhausting for me. As good friends slowly but I am grateful it was in His. God has lead me
made the exodus out of LA, we were left without through mountains, valleys and deserts (literally
strong community or family. So the question came and figuratively) to get to TBCH, and has planted
up: “What about Nashville?”
new desires in my heart – but He has not forgotten
my old dreams either. I am grateful for an incredNick and I knew about Nashville’s music industry ibly supportive and gracious TBCH family who enand found out it was a growing city. To be hon- courages me to grow into the Amanda Mae God
est, we weren’t enthralled with it on our first visit has created me to be.
in September 2012 but decided to take the 2000
mile leap anyway. A month later, Dino was on the In all of this, I have learned that there is something
best five day car ride of his life!
better than to follow one’s dreams – follow Him.
Things went pretty swimmingly our first few months
DID YOU KNOW? CHILDREN WHO
GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL WHILE AT TBCH CAN
REMAIN IN CARE THROUGH COLLEGE
6
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The B
The Summit is an annual conference for the
churches and ministries of the Tennessee
Baptist Convention. This three day event
allows us to come together and discover
the ways in which God is moving through
our various organizations.
“Double B” Boys Ranch
This year, The Summit will be in Millington,
which also happens to be home to TBCH’s
“Double B” Boys Ranch. This beautiful 245
acre working ranch gives young men who
enter our care daily opportunities to learn
and use the hands-on skills of welding,
woodworking, small engine mechanics and
animal management.
We would love for you to visit this beautiful
and inspiring TBCH location. Stop by our
booth at The Summit to take a quick tour.
We will have vehicles to drive you there and
back. TBCH staff will be around to talk with
you and answer any questions you may
have about the Ranch or any of our other
campuses and ministries. See you there!
NOVEMBER 9th-11th
First Baptist Church Millington
• Monday Afternoon: Pastor’s Conference at 1:00
• Tuesday Morning: 8:15 – 11:45
• Tuesday Afternoon: 1:15 – 4:30
• Tuesday Evening: 7:00 – 8:30
• Wednesday Morning: 8:15 – 12:00
We have an amazing staff at TBCH, but we simply could not do all that we do without our faithful network of ministry volunteers. Tennesseans
spend literally hundreds of hours every year on
our campuses working with children, mowing the
lawn, or even mopping up floors. This issue, we
wanted to highlight a few of these special friends.
Millington- Bedford Byrum has,
for 13 years, been the driving
force behind Maple Springs
Baptist Church’s involvement
with The Boys Ranch. He and his
church’s men’s group come out
twice a year for a day of work.
“If there’s a need at the Ranch,
Mr. Byrum will do all he can do to
get it done and save us money,”
said Jeff Epps (VP of Residential
Care at the Ranch).
Mr. Byrum is a lifelong cattleman, and brings those skills to
the Ranch. He teaches the boys
how to show cattle, and he helps
the Ranch in showing their own
cattle. Says Epps: “I can’t even
begin to tell you the impact he’s
had on these boys, and this ministry in general. He’s become like
a father or grandfather to all of
us.”
Brentwood- Linda Eddy loves
working with children. “I love
the potential I see in them...
discovering what it is God wants
for their lives.”
In 2011, she contacted TBCH
about a job. There were no
openings at the time, but that
didn’t deter her. “I asked if I could
volunteer,” she said. “Whatever
needed doing, I wanted to
help.” She volunteered on
campus, doing administrative
work like filing, and two years
later she was asked to become
an employee!
Her proudest moment? She
spearheaded a project to build
a library on campus. “I had a
budget of $1,000. I didn’t know
if I could do it,” she said. “Well
God came through. All told I
spent exactly $1,012!”
Chattanooga- Mr. Dave Knott
is retired, but he refuses to slow
down. The former Navy man
and Postal Service employee said he used to pass by the
TBCH campus every day, and
one day God told him to go in
there and see what he could do
to help out.
And help out, he does! Twice a
week for the past five years, Mr.
Knott has come to clean the
commisary. He mops, dusts, and
sweeps; he organizes the pantry
and cabinets; he helps put groceries away.
“Everyone remarks on how perfect and clean everything is,”
says Anthony Cummings, a
houseparent who works with Mr.
Knott. “He would be here every
day if we would let him.”
DID YOU KNOW? THERE ARE 12 MILLION
ADULTS IN THE US WHO GREW UP IN FOSTER
CARE AS A CHILD
8
S
tewart Cottage (on the Brentwood campus)
had been empty since long-time houseparent
Jerry Dyer retired. (His wife and cohouseparent, Carol, passed away in 2013.) It was
in desperate need of some renovations before
new houseparents could move in, but TBCH still
didn’t know who those houseparents would be.
This May, a Keller Williams Realty agency
contacted the campus about getting to know our
organization. After meeting with us, Keller Williams’
Suzy Roholt, Hope Brazzell, and Wes Postlethwaite
decided TBCH would be the perfect focus of their
annual RED Day event.
Introduced in 2009, RED Day, which stands for
Renew, Energize and Donate, is Keller Williams
Realty’s annual day of service. Each year on the
second Thursday of May, associates spend the day
away from their businesses serving organizations
and causes in their communities.
Suzy, Hope, and
Wes were so
moved by TBCH’s
mission, that
they planned
the largest RED
Day project
they’ve ever
undertaken:
renovating
all of Stewart
Cottageinside and out.
Their agency raised more than $12,000 for supplies–
everything from paint and nails to flowers and
shovels– and got to work. By the end of the day,
Stewart Cottage was transformed: every wall was
painted, gardens were planted. The cottage was
beautiful again and ready for houseparents to
move in–as soon as we found those houseparents!
M
ore than 80 people came out to lend a
hand renovating Stewart Cottage. One
of those people was real estate agent
Nathan Mankin. Nathan had only heard of TBCH
in passing when he came to our campus ready to
paint. In fact, his former preacher is married to a
woman who grew up at TBCH in Memphis. “She
was the main reason [my wife] Laura and I knew
they said nothing ever felt quite right. It wasn’t
until they were on the TBCH campus and learned
of an open houseparent position that they heard
God’s call on their lives.
anything about the home,” said Mankin.
God’s plan for the Mankins first manifested itself
in a difficult place. “After we had our daughter
Emma, Laura got really sick,” explains Nathan.
“Because of that we’re no longer able to have
children of our own.”
They looked into adoption and foster care, but
“We were convinced this
was what God wanted us
to do.”
As it turned out, the Mankins were exactly the
right fit for our ministry Nathan, Laura, and Emma
Mankin moved into Stewart Cottage in June, and
they have really hit the ground running. As of this
writing, Nathan is currently sitting in a hospital as
one of his boys has his appendix removed. The
kids have started school, which means back-toschool shopping, homework help, and everything
else a home full of school-aged kids requires.
There’s a lot to do, but the Mankins know that God
isn’t giving them anything they can’t handle.
“Laura and I always wanted a big family!”
Stewart Cottage has since
been renamed Dyer Cottage
in honor of Jerry and Carol Dyer- houseparents for 30
years at our Brentwood Campus.
Dr. Bryant Millsaps
HIS LASTING
LEGACY
WITH DR. MILLSAPS RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, WE ASKED LONG-TIME
ASSOCIATE AND ASSISTANT MARY COSTNER FOR A FEW WORDS.
As I reflect on the years I’ve known Bryant Millsaps it’s hard to believe it’s been 28
years.
After moving to Tennessee I began working at the State Legislature in the Management Information System Department. This department reported to the Chief Clerk
of the House and that person was Dr. Millsaps. I learned a lot during those two years.
The most important lesson? If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay. Say so, then do
the research and bring the best answer available. What I learned was your integrity
was more important than always having an answer, right or wrong.
The second thing I learned from Dr. Millsaps is that people are important. After being
elected Secretary of State, Dr. Millsaps spent many months holding meetings with
the staff, everyone in the department. He wanted all of them to know he was interested in them as people, an appreciation for the jobs they did, not just faceless staff
that were part of the Department of State.
Fast forward to 1998, Dr. Millsaps accepted the call to ministry at the Tennessee
Baptist Children’s Homes and then in 2000 was elected President. Many memories
come to mind during my 14 year tenure, but the most significant is his relationship
with the staff. Many days, and some the most busy, people approached him and
asked if he had a minute to talk. Not just in the State Office, but in the regional offices as well. He would stop, close the door, listen to them and pray with them.
The third thing I learned from Dr. Millsaps is that after your faith, your family should
be your top priority. He and Robbie have been asked countless times to conduct
marriage retreats and been asked to counsel families that are encountering challenges. When you talk with them about their family you know why - there’s always a
light in their eyes and face, especially when you bring up grandchildren. Their strong
marriage, loving their children and grandchildren unconditionally is the example of
a Christ-like home.
My congratulations to Dr. Millsaps on his retirement this December. Definitely earned,
and I know if he made this impact on me, there are many more people across Tennessee that were impacted by him, in his political life, his ministry, and his family life.
Not a bad legacy to leave behind: keep your integrity, treat people with courtesy
and respect, love your family unconditionally, and strive to be the example of Christ
in all things.
12
This fall, our Brentwood campus is receiving
a much-needed improvement: street
names! The six streets connecting our
cottages to each other and Franklin Road
will allow for better communication and
coordination during events, for emergency
responders like ambulances and fire trucks,
and even for ordering pizza!
Elijah’s Way is named after one of our long-time residents– a young man with
special-needs named Elijah.
Millsaps Drive is named in honor of our current president, Dr. Bryant Millsaps, who
served as President/Treasurer from 1999 to 2015.
Raley’s Bend is named for Dr. Ivan Raley, longtime trustee and Regional VP of the
Brentwood Campus from 1994 to 2006.
East and West Stewart Drive are named for TBCH’s first president. At 30 years, his
term was also the longest as president– guiding the organization from 1911 to 1941.
Stow Trail is named for Dr. Gerald Stow, TBCH president from 1984 to 1999. Dr. Stow
presided over the formation of the Double B Boys Ranch, and remains an active
ambassador for our organization today.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CHAMPIONS FORE CHILDREN GOLF CLASSIC
Sept. 21st, 11:00am
Mirimichi
6195 Woodstock Cuba Rd, Millington, TN 38053
Contact Mary Wasson (901)386-3961
mwasson@tennesseechildren.org
RUN4KIDS 5K
Sept. 26th, 4:00pm
TBCH Brentwood Campus.
1310 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027
Contact Jeff McGinnis (615)376-3195
jmcginnis@tennesseechildren.org
I CARED FOR ONE
Oct. 17th, 6:00pm
PRESENTED BY
ANDREWS TRANSPORTATION GROUP
The Factory at Franklin, Liberty Hall
230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
Contact Jeff McGinnis (615)376-3195
jmcginnis@tennesseechildren.org
Guest Entertainment
Country music artist and author Jimmy Wayne,
Actress Abby White from the hit short film, Removed
FALL FESTIVAL
Oct. 17th, 9:00am
TBCH Bartlett Campus
6896 Hwy. 70, Memphis, TN 38133
Contact Mary Wasson (901)386-3961
mwasson@tennesseechildren.org
GOLFERS FORE KIDS CLASSIC
Nov. 3rd, 11:00am
Windstone Golf Club
9230 Windstone Dr. Ringgold, GA 30736
Contact Theresa Davis (423)892-2722
tdavis@tennesseechildren.org
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@TBCH
Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes ● PO Box 2206 ● Brentwood, TN ● 37024
1(800)624-8591 ● www.tennesseechildren.org