A baseball tour through the northeast in mid-August joined the list of events that Off the Grid has provided Tennessee Baptist ministers for the past six years — and it proved to be an overwhelming success.
The “Off the Grid” ministry — which officially launched in 2020 — was developed by Kevin Perrigan, camp manager at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center, to provide a Tennessee Baptist Mission Board ministry that would enable pastors to find an outlet to get away from the pressures of ministry while also forming new friendships with other pastors from around the state.
Hiking, backpacking, fishing and more
Previous events have included hiking and backpacking, fishing, motorcycle riding and golf.
Joe Sorah, strengthening gospel leaders team leader for the TBMB, used the original concept when planning the baseball trip, which included stops in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
“Our Off the Grid baseball trip was designed with that purpose in mind — to help pastors get away from daily ministry and connect with other ministers,” Sorah said.
Sorah noted that when he was a pastor, he would take men of his church to a baseball game. Later, when he was Harvest Field 5 team leader at the TBMB, he joined a group of men organized by Scott Campbell, director of missions for Campbell County Baptist Association, to see the Cincinnati Reds play. “We had a great time with lots of good fellowship. So, when I thought about what some ministers might want to do, I thought about our mutual love of baseball.
“I also thought about how many of our Tennessee ministers feel isolated and alone,” he said. “Then I thought about the North American Mission Board church planters in the cities we were going to visit and how isolated they must feel.”
Sorah envisioned meeting with the church planters in each city to encourage them. He contacted the lead planter in each city and shared his vision.
“It became obvious that in addition to encouragement, exploring partnerships would be much more beneficial to their ministry.”
Twenty-four Baptist ministers, including two from Mississippi with Tennessee ties, registered for the trip and paid their own way.
No Cooperative Program funds were used to underwrite the trip, Sorah stressed. He noted, however, that NAMB and Brentwood Baptist Church, helped underwrite the trip.
The trip exceeded Sorah’s expectations, he said. He had hoped for 12 participants and 24 signed up and his desire was that the participants would make new friendships.
“We had ministry leaders from Memphis to Mountain City, men who had not previously met. Before the trip was over, they were good friends.”
What’s more, the addition of NAMB missionaries was a hit — not only for the church planters but also the Off the Grid participants.
Sorah was confident they would encourage the church planters in the three Send Cities and they did. “But in the process, they opened our eyes to the great spiritual needs in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh,” he noted.
“As I listened to the Tennessee ministers, they spoke about how much it meant to visit with the church planters.
“The games were fun but, above all, the new friendships formed and the possible mission partnerships highlighted the trip,” Sorah said.
Ministers affirm baseball tour
“I feel refreshed,” said Brent McMinn, pastor of Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Lexington.
He noted that pastors sometimes feel no one understands their burdens. “It’s been so good to fellowship and share with other pastors.”
Len Kennedy, pastor of Flatwoods Baptist Church, Holladay, said the trip was a blessing in every area, especially the fellowship with “co-laborers in the Lord” and the opportunity to learn what God is doing in other areas.
John Pinkston, director of missions for Jefferson County Baptist Association, also was blessed to meet other ministers from across Tennessee and the church planters “who helped me understand the challenges they have in reaching the lost.”
David Hankal, pastor of Roan Creek Baptist Church in Mountain City, returned home “refreshed, refocused and encouraged” from the tour.
Mark Newman, pastor of First Baptist Church, Fall Branch said he was encouraged by talking with other pastors “who are in the trenches serving Christ.”
Paul Owens, pastor of Lea Springs Baptist Church, Blaine, said he was refreshed by the trip and by meeting “brothers in the faith. I’ve been blessed to make some new friends and will look forward to staying in touch with them.
“I will remember the camaraderie that we found in our faith,” he added.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Lonnie Wilkey, who served as editor of the Baptist and Reflector for 26 years prior to retiring at the end of 2024.
