Scott Barkley Stories

National

EC approves $190 million allocation budget that includes legal costs

Executive Committee members approved a recommendation Tuesday morning (Feb. 18) for a $190 million 2025-26 SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget that includes $3 million earmarked for anticipated legal costs.
National

Iorg addresses sexual abuse, financial realities in report to Executive Committee

Since 2021, $13 million in Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee (EC) financial reserves through December 2024 has gone toward legal bills as a result of abuse response efforts. For the current fiscal year, EC President Jeff Iorg told trustees, the EC is working to secure a $3 million loan to meet financial obligations. The EC is also recommending a $190 million national Cooperative Program budget for 2025-26 with a $3 million priority allocation for legal expenses.
National

Lucy Pat Curl, wife of Orlando pastor, dies days after home attack

The wife of a member of First Baptist Church’s pastoral staff died on Feb. 5, days after a home attack left her with brain injuries.
National

First Orlando continues prayer for pastor’s wife after attack

Lucy Pat Curl, the wife of a leader in First Baptist Church’s Pastoral Care ministry, remains in a coma four days after an attack at her home.
National

Jeff Dalrymple to lead ongoing Southern Baptist sexual abuse response

Jeff Dalrymple has been named to lead the office within the SBC Executive Committee dedicated to Southern Baptists’ long-term efforts in Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response, according to a statement from EC President and CEO Jeff Iorg.
National

California, Arizona Disaster Relief teams preparing to join L.A. County wildfire response

California Baptist Disaster Relief is prepared to help in the recovery effort as three wildfires burn across L.A. County, a state spokesperson shared with Baptist Press today.
Faith

Bible sales growth reflects multi-year trend, desire to explore Truth

The Wall Street Journal cited a report by Circana BookScan stating Bible sales are up 22 percent in the U.S. through the end of October. Total print sales were up less than 1 percent during that period. B&H Publishing, with Lifeway, saw an approximate sales increase of 30 percent over the last year.
Policy

Trump selects former Southern Baptist pastor, chaplain to lead Veterans Administration

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a former Southern Baptist pastor to be the next head of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
National

People needed food and each other. They found it on a pastor’s back deck.

Cane Creek starts as a trickle up in the mountains from Stacy Harris’ home. Garren Creek and Flat Creek are there too. Typically, they create the small, crystal-clear pools trout love and cascading waterfalls that are favorites of Smoky Mountain tourists.
National

EC votes to create department dedicated to ongoing sexual abuse response

Trustees for the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee approved Tuesday (Sept. 17) a recommendation to create a department within the EC to assist churches in the area of sexual abuse prevention and response.
Media/Entertainment

Nominees released for 2024 Dove Awards

Brandon Lake leads the slate of nominees for the 2024 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards with 16 nominations, including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and writing credits on four of the 10 songs nominated for Song of the Year. The GMA announced the nominees July 24.
National

Historic pulpit survives fire at First Baptist Church, Dallas

A pulpit used by Southern Baptist notables like George Truett and W.A. Criswell emerged intact after surviving a fire that gutted the historic sanctuary at First Baptist Church here over the weekend.

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