Our Story
Our History
A Legacy of Faith.
A Legacy of Leadership.
A Legacy Worth Continuing.
Est. 2013
Prologue
Every legacy begins with a single act of faith.
Since 2013, the Contending for the Faith Conference has been a gathering place for those who are passionate about God’s Word.
Known for its rich fellowship and biblical teaching, the conference has brought together preachers, pastors, ministers, church leaders, and serious students of Scripture from across the nation.
What began as a single gathering has grown into a movement—faithfully passed from one generation of leadership to the next.
2013
Conference Founded
Rev. Muriel Taylor organizes the Contending for the Faith Preaching & Teaching Conference.
2014+
Brown Baptist Church
Years of impactful gatherings at Brown Missionary Baptist Church.
Transition
Entrusted to TBME
Stewardship passes to the Tennessee Baptist Missionary Educational Convention.
Legacy
Edna Fisher-Grafton
Conference united with the enduring legacy of the late Edna Fisher-Grafton.
Today
The Mission Endures
A national gathering equipping believers to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Rooted in Jude 1:3
“Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
Jude 1:3
Inspired by this charge, our mission has always been to equip believers to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
After many impactful years at Brown Baptist Church, the conference entered a new season as Pastor Orr entrusted its stewardship to the Tennessee Baptist Missionary Educational Convention (TBME), under the leadership of the state president, Pastor William Watson.
As we prayerfully considered this new chapter, we desired to preserve the rich legacy of the Contending for the Faith Conference while honoring one of the TBME’s most faithful and influential leaders. We therefore united the beloved conference, founded by Rev. Muriel Taylor, with the enduring legacy of the late Edna Fisher-Grafton, a visionary leader of the TBME Convention.
Today, we proudly carry that legacy forward as the Edna Fisher-Grafton Contending for the Faith Conference—a name that honors both the vision of Rev. Muriel Taylor and the faithful service of the late Edna Fisher-Grafton.
Rev. Muriel Taylor
Founder of the Contending for the Faith Conference
Under Rev. Taylor’s vision, the Contending for the Faith Preaching & Teaching Conference was organized in 2013—a gathering built on rich fellowship, sound doctrine, and a heart to equip the saints.
Edna Fisher-Grafton
Visionary Leader · Tennessee Baptist Missionary Educational Convention
In honoring one of the TBME’s most faithful and influential leaders, the conference now bears her name—preserving her enduring witness alongside the founding vision of Rev. Muriel Taylor.
A Continuing Story
The Legacy Continues.The Mission Endures.
A growing archive of gatherings, preaching, and fellowship. Additional photographs will be added as our historical collection expands.
Archive
Historic Conference Photo
Archive
Historic Worship Moment
Archive
Historic Speaker
Archive
Historic Fellowship
Every generation is called to contend for the faith.
Today, we continue the vision entrusted to faithful leaders who came before us.
This conference is not simply an event. It is a legacy.
Join Us
Continue the Legacy.
Join pastors, ministers, church leaders, and serious students of Scripture as together we continue what faithful men and women began more than a decade ago.