An alliance of 15 attorneys general have warned Secretary Denis McDonough they will “act decisively” if the Department of Veterans Affairs uses a new rule to violate their states’ restrictions on abortion. Tan Flippin is grateful for a serious bike accident that may have saved his life. Disciples make disciples (who in turn make disciples who make disciples).
John McCallum knows the pain of struggling with grief and loss during the holiday season. But rather than sinking in sorrow, he’s using it to serve others. Europe is considered the least reached continent in the world with less than 1% evangelical Christians. Together, a praying church back in Fort Worth, their short-term missions team, IMB missionaries and local believers addressed a very real problem in Portugal — lostness.
Churches invest significant time in services and outreach during Christmas and Easter—for good reason. Southern Baptists, through their prayers and faithful giving, helped the Windhams plant 12 churches in and around Lusaka, Zambia. Thanksgiving Day gives an opportunity to spend time reflecting on the good things and blessings of life.
The California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC) is asking fellow Southern Baptists to join them in Anaheim and consider taking the next step. A May 6 gas explosion devastated the historic Saratoga Hotel in Old Havana, Cuba, and also rained destruction on nearby Calvary Baptist Church. Remember the words of Isaiah 55:9: God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours.
The SBTC presented a gift of $228,000 to the ERLC for the placement of six ultrasound machines at pregnancy resource centers in Texas. Charles Billingsley has released a brand-new album: “The Shadow of Your Smile,” Jesus wanted the churches to not just hear the words but take them to heart.
Members of the Southern Baptist Convention are processing through the details of a 288-page report on the alleged mishandling of sexual abuse claims released publicly Sunday. Crediting God’s tenderness and compassion, Leanne Jamieson says pregnant women in crisis often stick to her very soul, causing her to take their concerns to God’s altar. Betty Wiseman considers her path to be orchestrated by God.
Churches are taking another look at their security plans after nearly a dozen people were killed in a pair of recent shootings. Students at Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR) have not only a space to study, but also a safe place to ask spiritual questions, thanks to a Send Network church plant. Though each migrant’s journey to the U.S. looks different, many face some of the same tragedies and hardships on their journey.
Mothers and their youngsters who fled Ukraine for safety to Prague are “broken-hearted, desperate, searching for hope.” A public baptism including more than 130 changed lives is significant on its own. Jamie Dew, NOBTS president, urged the schools’ graduates to consider the question that would impact their lives and ministries.
May is National Foster Care Month, and Send Relief has been raising awareness for how churches can become involved. Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Moldova has received an estimated one refugee for every 25 Moldovans. A Bible Study from Lifeway Christian Resources calls on Christians to be on the lookout for deception.
The award-winning Christian Standard Bible translation reached its fifth anniversary in March. University Baptist Church in Houston commissioned one of their own to go out to the furthest mission field—space. And Ben Mandrell, president of Lifeway, encourages Christians to consider that they can learn from their neighbors who are not religious.
The Southern Baptist Convention’s ethics entity is exhorting Congress to act quickly to guard undocumented immigrants brought into the United States as children from deportation. Andrew Moroz is communicating with his loved ones in Ukraine every day as well as assisting his church with Ukraine-related relief efforts. And Annie Armstrong organized an effort to send relief through frontier boxes and helped to build chapels on the frontier.
Ramon Velez used his God-given artistic ability over the years to creatively share the gospel while simultaneously painting with graffiti. Disciple-making is the primary call of every pastor, and most recognize this as a skill they should continue to develop as church leaders. And a recent Bible study from Lifeway asks Christians important questions concerning their view of sin.
Last year Cleveland Road Baptized 12 people, and 11 are signed up for this year. Seven of those have walked forward over the last three weeks. President Biden’s $5.8 trillion proposed budget for the next fiscal year contains elements of “deep concern.” And gifts given to Ukraine refugee ministries through Send Relief and the IMB now stand at more than $5.5 million.
President Biden signed the Emmett Till Anti-lynching Act, which classifies lynching as a federal hate crime. “Build My Life,” Pat Barrett’s passionate proclamation of holiness and righteousness, was the top worship song of 2021. And Willie McLaurin is the first African American to lead an entity of the SBC.
Churchgoers may think their church leaders have it all together spiritually, but pastors admit they have room to grow. Why do so many people gamble their money away? Barrett Duke offers a few answers.
In 2019, FBI agent Vic Carpenter was sent out to start Redeemer Bible Church. A Chicago area pastor is on a roof and continuing the quest to bring opportunities and resources to children and families in great need in Chicago. And Jen Oshman says the church has what women really need and sees today’s culture willing to listen.
Women in the slum brothels of Kampala, Uganda, are learning God has not forgotten them, there is hope and redemption in their life stories, and He has given them a new name. Music duo Kenny and Claire has spent the last several years modernizing and rewriting classic hymns as a way to reintroduce them to the Church. And in a Bible Study from Lifeway, the focus is Romans 5:6.
More than 2,100 professions of faith came as a result of the ministry of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief in 2021. Journey Church in Lviv, Ukraine is doing their best to continue the work of the ministry despite the country’s invasion by Russia. And Lorie Keene shares her story how she felt called to ministry when she was teenager.
An EF-3 tornado caused damage in Jacksboro, Texas, where a disaster relief crew set up to provide help to the community. The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Texas death row inmates request to have his pastor lay hands on him and pray for him aloud when he receives a lethal injection. And one of the creative ways the IMB is sharing the Gospel and offering hope to Ukrainian refugees is through social media.
More than 400 students attended the kickoff of REV7:9, a a student evangelism conference in Louisiana. Oscar Tshiebwe shares his faith with the same passion he plays basketball. And pastor David Jeremiah encourages Christians to keep in mind that they are pursuing a prize.