by Luke Switzer | May 8, 2023 | Episodes
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) continues to do work on multiple fronts. According to Jason Yarbrough, state director for DR, relief work continues after wildfires and a series of tornadoes and severe storms in Oklahoma; Many Texans have a general understanding they live in one of the most diverse states in the nation. What they may be less aware of is how many Arabic-speaking Southern Baptist churches exist in the Lone Star State; Vacation Bible School is an enriching time when various volunteers from all parts of the church join together to plan and lead a special event with one theme in mind—sharing the gospel with children.
by Luke Switzer | May 5, 2023 | Episodes
Trustees for the North American Mission Board (NAMB) celebrated a milestone of more than 10,000 churches planted by Southern Baptists since 2010 as 745 church plants were added in 2022; A lineup of speakers and guests on the Cooperative Program Stage will point attention toward what should be at the heart of all Southern Baptists The waiting seasons of life can be difficult. Oftentimes we become so hyper-focused on a specific desire that we miss God’s answers that are right in front of us.
by Luke Switzer | May 4, 2023 | Episodes
“Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much” is the 2023 NDOP theme, based on James 5:16; The upcoming expiration of a COVID-era immigration policy has communities and groups such as ministry centers bracing for a surge in migrants; In a First Person on Baptist Press, Kris Buckman offers tips to church when reports sexual abuse come to their attention.
by Luke Switzer | May 3, 2023 | Episodes
The first-ever annual meeting of the Myanmar Baptist Churches USA fellowship is to take place Monday, June 12, in connection with the 2023 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention at the New Orleans Convention Center; A healthy deacon leads to a healthy deacon ministry, which is an important part of a healthy church; In a piece on BP Karl Clauson writes, Jesus was crystal clear – his church is a prevailing church
by Luke Switzer | May 2, 2023 | Episodes
A call to prayer today as at least four churches have been destroyed and a congregation directly assaulted in Sudan, signaling the earliest reports of religious suffering in the fight for governmental control that erupted April 15; Having solid policies and procedures in place at your church helps prevent sexual abuse by protecting children, youth and vulnerable adults, according to Kris Buckman; In a piece in the Baptist Press Toolbox, JD Greear writes, The demons don’t mind the cleanup; in fact, they like it.
by Luke Switzer | May 1, 2023 | Episodes
The U.S. Senate rejected an attempt Thursday (April 27) to revive the Equal Rights Amendment more than four decades after the controversial proposal passed its deadline for ratification; Did you know researchers believe at least 76 percent of the population of Cincinnati is far from God and not involved in any local church, according to the North American Mission Board; Want to know a secret? Theologian Chuck Lawless thinks you should take gossip seriously.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 28, 2023 | Episodes
Eight confirmed tornadoes slashed across Oklahoma’s midsection the evening of Wed., April 19, inflicting major damage to structures at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) and to other sections of Shawnee; In just a little over one year, it will be ‘games wide open’ for the Paris Olympics, with more than 10,500 athletes from countries spanning the globe and thousands of spectators descending on the French capital; A Lifeway Bible study on Baptist Press says, “In the book of Deuteronomy, God had already performed miracle after miracle in His care and provision for the Israelites, yet they failed to believe God could provide them with water.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 27, 2023 | Episodes
Most churchgoers say tithing is a biblical command and give at least 10 percent of their income. But they have more diverse opinions on the “where” and “how” of tithing; Saltpetre Community Church is relatively new at nine years old, the mix of older and younger congregations; In a Baptist Press Toolbox piece, Trevin Wax discusses barriers that keep leaders from being multi=-directional leaders.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 26, 2023 | Episodes
Escalating violence may have forced Louisiana Reach Haiti to halt most operations in the country, however, the ministry has found other ways to share the hope of Jesus in Haiti; The U.S. House of Representatives limited female sports to biological women in a party-line vote last week, but the U.S. Senate is expected to block the bill; A Michigan businessman who died more than a decade ago is helping a Georgia congregation with the cost of a new church building.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 25, 2023 | Episodes
The “Legacy Celebration” service for pastor Charles Stanley featured a lineup of notable pastors and musical guests worthy of his world-famous ministry career; More than 200 Christians have been killed in terrorist attacks in Benue and Kaduna states in Nigeria since the election season ended in March, according to news reports and statements from religious freedom advocates; In a piece in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Sam Rainer offers eight ways you might be able to recognize your church is drifting from the mission.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 24, 2023 | Episodes
For Tommy Neiman, an award-winning firefighter and paramedic, the theme for his vocational calling has become about challenging first responders to be believers, and believers to be first responders; The Spurgeon Library, located on the campus of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, celebrated the recent donation of a collection of unpublished Spurgeon writings at the second annual Spurgeon Library Conference April 19; A Lifeway Bible study says, “Famed evangelist D.L. Moody began his book “The Overcoming Life” addressing “the Christian’s warfare.”
by Luke Switzer | Apr 21, 2023 | Episodes
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler thanked supporters for their prayers and encouragement during his recent health scare; The head of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB), the leader of Southern Baptists’ ethics entity and a group of Tennessee pastors are urging the state legislature to enact safety measures to protect the public from gun violence; In an article in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Thom Rainer shares seven things that are hindering churches when it comes to evangelism.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 20, 2023 | Episodes
Had it gone as planned, Josh Wyatt’s wife Becky and their three young children would have been outside Marathon Sports when the first explosion blasted the storefront at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon; Every Sunday is a good Sunday for a follower of Jesus Christ to be baptized; In a piece in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Lifeway President Ben Mandrell shares some leadership mistakes he’s made over the years.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 19, 2023 | Episodes
In the midst of deep sorrow, you can usually find hope. Hundreds of people from the tight-knit, east Alabama town of Dadeville filled the FBC Dadeville parking lot Sunday evening for a time of prayer; The nation of Israel is marking Yom HaShoah today, a 24-hour observance of the devastation caused by the Holocaust during World War 2; Perhaps you’re a Christian who would like to help another believer grow in their faith. Maybe you’re considering discipling another believer. In a piece on Baptist Press Toolbox, Pastor Mark Dever offers some tips on where to look.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 18, 2023 | Episodes
The U.S. Supreme Court placed a temporary hold Friday afternoon (April 14) on a week-old decision that suspended the federal government’s 2000 approval of the abortion pill; In a piece in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Scott McConnell writes, Everyone in our community needs Christ, but many times we can feel lost knowing how to help our congregation start connecting with people.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 17, 2023 | Episodes
According to a 2022 Lifeway Study, more than 90 percent of Christians surveyed say they are willing to have a conversation about their faith with a friend; April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. In a piece in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Kris Buckman encourages churches to require sexual abuse training.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 14, 2023 | Episodes
A federal appeals court has blocked a nationwide injunction suspending the two-decade-old approval of the abortion pill but restored protective requirements weakened in recent years by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Many first responders sprang into action in the aftermath of the tragic shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville on March 27. A Lifeway Bible study teaches about the Holy Spirit.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 13, 2023 | Episodes
Easter weekend is a time for family, friends, and worship. For Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief workers, it was a time to serve survivors of the tornados that devastated parts of Central Arkansas on March 31; In the Baptist Press Toolbox, we hear from Chuck Lawless on how churches can come alongside missionaries. He offers 10 ways. Here’s a few of them.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 12, 2023 | Episodes
Scripture engagement remains down among Americans, but a widespread curiosity gives ground for evangelism, the American Bible Society (ABS) said in releasing the first chapter of its 2023 State of the Bible survey; Refugee resettlement in the U.S., doubled in March from the previous month, the Department of State said in its monthly report.
by Luke Switzer | Apr 11, 2023 | Episodes
So far, disaster relief teams have assisted nearly 100 homeowners across Arkansas with clean-up and recovery, and they’ve provided thousands of meals; A newly proposed rule would crush the freedom of conscience for Americans who have a moral objection to the provision of “life-threatening contraceptives,” according to the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; Have you given much thought to the next generation of leaders in your church? In a piece in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Pastor Darryl Nelson offers some helpful tips.
