Jennifer Davis Rash,
Editor-in-Chief
Jennifer Davis Rash serves as editor-in-chief of The Baptist Paper.
Jennifer has had the vision for The Baptist Paper for nearly a decade. She saw the need for a denominational publication that reached across state lines and connected Baptists across the country, and in 2021 she took that vision and made it a reality.
Jennifer has served in denominational communications her entire career, starting with a two-year stint with the International Mission Board and Caribbean Christian Publications right out of college. In January 1996, Jennifer joined The Alabama Baptist as a news writer and worked her way up to managing editor then executive editor before being named editor-elect in 2015 and then the first female editor of a major Baptist newspaper beginning Jan. 1, 2019. Throughout the years she has helped lead the editorial team to win more than 250 national awards.
Jennifer has also served in a variety of national and local leadership roles in Baptist life. She served as president of Baptist Communicators Association and vice president of Associated Church Press, two national organizations for professional Christian communicators, and in various positions with Religion Communicators Council, Evangelical Press Association and Alabama Press Association. She is past president of the Association of State Baptist Publications.
A native of Phil Campbell, Alabama, Jennifer earned her associate’s degree from Northwest Community College, her bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Alabama and her master of theological studies from Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham. She also received an honorary doctorate from Judson College in Marion, Alabama.
Follow her @RashionalThts on Twitter. To email Jennifer, click here.
Shawn Hendricks,
Content Editor
Shawn Hendricks has worked in Southern Baptist communications for 25 years. He joined TAB Media first as a correspondent before coming on board full time in 2021. Among his experience, he has worked with two other state papers, Baptist Press, a Baptist university and the International Mission Board. He graduated in 1996 from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, with a Communication Arts/Journalism degree. He is currently getting his master’s degree in strategic and digital communication from the University of Tennessee. He and his wife, Stephanie, have a daughter, Laura, and live in the Nashville area. They are members of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Grace Thornton,
Special Assignments Editor
Grace has served in denominational communications since 2003, both domestically and abroad. Grace earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English from Mississippi College and has done some graduate study at the University of Alabama and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She’s the author of two books, “I Don’t Wait Anymore” and “Unshakable Pursuit.” Grace also co-authored “The Alabama Baptist: Celebrating 175 Years of Informing, Inspiring and Connecting Baptists.” She is a member of The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham. To read more about her and the way she sees God move in daily life, visit
gracefortheroad.com. To contact Grace, click here.
Lauren C. Grim,
Creative Services Manager
Lauren has been a graphic designer for denominational publications since 2006. She has been employed by The Alabama Baptist since Aug. 10, 2004, becoming its creative services manager in January 2019. A native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Lauren received a bachelor of arts degree in graphic design at Mississippi College. She has earned 16 hours in theological studies at Beeson Divinity School. She and her husband, Myles, live in Hernando, Mississippi. They have a daughter, Alana, and a son, Mason, and are members of Hernando Baptist Church. To contact Lauren Grim, click here.
Dianna Cagle,
Production Manager
Dianna has served in denominational communications for 19 years. She was assistant editor for the Biblical Recorder, North Carolina’s Baptist news journal for more than 14 years. She has been a page designer/copy editor for several newspapers: The Union-Recorder (Milledgeville, Ga.); The Decatur DAILY (Decatur, Ala.) and the Birmingham Post-Herald, where she was wire editor and assistant copy desk manager. She has worked in every department at some point: features, sports, editorial and news. She served as a US/C-2 missionary with the North American Mission Board in church and community ministries. Dianna earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and history from the University of Alabama. She has a master’s of divinity degree in biblical counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. To contact Dianna, click here.
James Hammack,
Digital Services Manager
James has extensive experience in web development and design. He is originally from the Tuscaloosa area of Alabama and earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Auburn University at Montgomery. James and his wife, Alicia, have a son, Jace, and daughters, Ellie Bre and Abigail. They live in Prattville, Alabama, and are members of Sovereign Grace Church. To contact James, click here.
Sarah Gill,
Subscriptions Manager
Sarah has experience in church software training and customer technology support. She is originally from Albertville, Alabama, and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in landscape design and horticulture from Auburn University. Sarah and her husband, Bryan, have a son, Charles, and a daughter, Perri. They live in Homewood, Alabama, and are members of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills. To contact Sarah, click here.
Melanie McKinney,
Advertising Manager
Melanie has worked in advertising departments for 20 years. Prior to that, she was an administrative assistant at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama, for nine years. She has a bachelor of science degree from Auburn University. Melanie is married to Terry McKinney. Together they have five children and five grandchildren. They are members of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Birmingham. To contact Melanie, click here.
Trennis Henderson,
Regional Correspondent
Pam Henderson,
Regional Correspondent
Pam has served in church and denominational ministry for 20 years, including serving 17 years at churches in Missouri, Kentucky and Arkansas. Most recently, she and her husband, Trennis, served three years as national correspondents for National Woman’s Missionary Union. In their current roles, they continue to travel full-time in their 25-foot RV, Gracie, representing The Baptist Paper across the Southeast. An award-winning photographer, Pam also has experience as a videographer and video producer. She is a graduate of Taylor University in Indiana. She and her husband have two adult daughters, Emily and Audrey, and five adorable grandchildren. To contact Pam, click here.