KHARTOUM NORTH, Sudan (BP) – An airstrike on a Baptist church in Sudan less than a week before Christmas killed at least 11 people, including eight children, an organization focused on international religious freedom reported. The Sudan Armed Forces airstrike hit Al Ezba Baptist Church in Khartoum North on Dec. 20. It damaged the worship facility, the church’s nursery – which was occupied at the time – and several residential buildings, Christian Solidarity Worldwide … [Read more...]
Three ways Christmas calls us to the nations
by Marissa Postell Sullivan/Lifeway Christian Resources Each year, Southern Baptists kicked off December by observing a Week of Prayer for International Missions before the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering emphasis. As believers learn about missionaries serving around the world, the call is to pray for those faithfully sharing the gospel through international missions. The church’s call to pray for missionaries spreading the gospel to the nations and give through the Lottie Moon … [Read more...]
A plea for prioritizing the singing of familiar Christmas carols
by Justin Wainscott Over the last several years during the Advent and Christmas seasons, I have noticed that churches seem to be singing traditional Christmas carols less and less. I’m not sure what all the reasons may be, and I’m certainly not attempting to impugn the motives of those who choose the songs. But I do believe it’s unfortunate for us if we hear familiar carols more in the shopping mall than we do in the local church. Therefore, I want to issue a plea for us to prioritize … [Read more...]
Trump taps Huckabee as ambassador to Israel
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (BP) – President Donald Trump announced on Nov. 12 that he will appoint former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel during Trump’s second administration, which will begin upon his inauguration Jan. 20, 2025. “I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, has been nominated to be The United States Ambassador to Israel,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and … [Read more...]
Discounted 2025 SBC annual meeting hotel reservations open, Oct. 7
DALLAS (BP) – More than 15,000 room nights will be available to Southern Baptists when the annual meeting reservation portal opens at noon EDT on Monday, Oct. 7. “The last two years, we have seen tremendous responses to the opening of reservations,” SBC Executive Committee vice president for convention administration Jonathan Howe told Baptist Press. “As a result, our reservation system provider, Maritz, has implemented technological improvements in their systems, including a queue … [Read more...]
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief coordinating ‘all hands on deck’ response to Hurricane Helene
by Henry Durand/The Christian Index SUWANEE, Ga. (BP) — Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief coordinator Dwain Carter said Saturday that the response in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s rampage through Georgia would be an “all hands on deck effort.” Carter said a huge area of the state has been affected by the storm, with effects ranging from wind damage to flooding, and loss of power and communications. As many of the GBDR’s 1,100 volunteers as are able to respond will be activated in the … [Read more...]
SBC Executive Committee’s legal expenses surpass $12M in three years
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to correctly report the amount of money remaining of the initial funds given by SendRelief to assist in sexual abuse prevention and response. NASHVILLE (BP) – The SBC Executive Committee says it has spent more than $12.1 million on the 2021-2022 Guidepost Solutions investigation and subsequent legal expenses dating back to the 2021 fiscal year. The release of the detailed financial information was the result of a motion adopted by messengers … [Read more...]
Wedgwood Baptist Church 25 years after mass shooting: SWBTS alumni share memories
by Michelle Workman FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – On Sept. 15, 1999, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alumnus Jay Fannin (MACE, ’98) was helping at a youth event he had organized at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, where he had been named the youth minister 20 months previously. But that time of prayer and worship that was attended by 14 area church youth groups quickly turned into a tragedy when an armed man walked into the sanctuary and began shooting. Eight people were … [Read more...]
SCOTUS denies Oklahoma request to restore funds in abortion referral dispute
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court refused Sept. 3 to restore a $4.5 million family planning grant to Oklahoma while the state’s challenge to the termination of the grant works its way through the lower courts. At issue is a lawsuit that stems from funding Oklahoma routinely received before the passage of its abortion ban in 2022, which followed the overturning of Roe v. Wade. To receive the funding under Title X of the Public Health Services Act of 1970, states are required to offer … [Read more...]
Todd Fisher reflects on God’s faithfulness amid continuing recovery from accident
by Baptist Messenger staff OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) – Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher announced on Facebook Aug. 28 he was heading home after an extended hospital stay that resulted from a serious automobile accident that occurred in late July. In the Facebook post, Fisher shared an update on his health and reflected on God’s provision on his road to healing. “Overall, everything looks positive regarding my injuries,” he wrote. “One of my ankles still concerns … [Read more...]
New Illinois abortion laws could be trouble for churches, ministries
by Lisa Misner/Illinois Baptist State Association SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (BP) – The Illinois General Assembly continues to find new ways to further enshrine abortion into law. Within the last month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed one bill requiring insurance companies to provide full coverage for abortions and another making abortions a protected human rights issue. The actions came just ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago where the party emphasized its commitment to … [Read more...]
‘The Forge’ makes top 5 in box office debut, garners $6.6 million in ticket sales
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Kendrick brothers’ latest movie “The Forge” had a strong opening weekend at box offices nationwide, bringing in $6.6 million, according to reports. The film came in fifth overall in box office ticket sales between Aug. 23-25. The Forge features Cameron Arnett from previous Kendrick film “Overcomer” in a leading role as Joshua, a business owner who goes out of his way to disciple into Christian manhood Isaiah, played by Aspen Kennedy. The newcomer portrays the … [Read more...]
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