Society & Culture Stories

Ethics

Supreme Court appears divided over temporary protected status for Haitians, others

Haitian pastor Keny Felix professed terror to Baptist Press regarding the future prospects for the 1.3 million immigrants living in the U.S. under temporary protected status (TPS). As the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments April 29 impacting the future of TPS, Felix was advocating on Capitol Hill as he has done frequently in the past year in Washington, Miami and Ohio.
Faith

ReHope to help trafficking survivors during FIFA World Cup

One ministry founded by Missouri Baptists will respond to a likely increase in human trafficking when the FIFA World Cup comes to Kansas City this summer. ReHope, formerly an outreach ministry of Blue River-Kansas City Baptist Association and now an independent nonprofit, “provides crisis stabilization and long term recovery programs for survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation,” CEO Jason Alvis said.
Missouri

Missouri Baptists prepare for FIFA World Cup outreach in Kansas City

The world is coming to Kansas City this summer for the largest sporting event on the planet. As many as one million additional visitors from around the globe may flood into the city for the FIFA World Cup in June and July, and Missouri Baptists are preparing to share the love of Jesus with them.
National

Mohler calls for end to ‘confusion’ around pastoral role

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler called April 16 for a strong statement from Southern Baptists on the role of pastor and its limitation to men.
Ethics

NYT backtracks marijuana advocacy amid cultural rethinking of legalization

Americans may be rethinking their affinity for marijuana, evidenced by a New York Times reversal on the issue and a study suggesting scant evidence supporting medical marijuana’s use in mental health.
Faith

State of the Bible: Growth in Bible use reverses in 2026, but trend uncertain

An increase in personal Bible use in the U.S. in 2025 was short-lived, the American Bible Society said in its latest State of the Bible release, with newest engagement numbers receding to 2024 levels. But ABS isn’t ready to call it a loss.
National

ERLC trustees name Evan Lenow next president

Evan Lenow was unanimously confirmed as the new president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission at a special-called trustees meeting Monday (April 13).
Columnists

Missouri Baptist camps should be free from state bureaucracy

Missouri House Bill 3142 has the laudable goal of ensuring that adults and children in Missouri campgrounds are safe from various risks. But the bill is an overreach that would burden Missouri Baptist camp ministries across the state by requiring licensure with the Department of Social Services.
Faith

‘Almost nobody is tithing,’ Grey Matter finds, but decline in evangelical giving slows

Evangelical giving has stabilized after several years of significant decline, but almost no one gives a biblical tithe to the church, a new study from Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts found.
Faith

Lifeway Research finds growing number of churchgoers face doubts

When facing difficult circumstances, most churchgoers still trust in God’s love and provision. Some, however, begin to question God’s character and involvement in their lives, and their number has grown in recent years.
Ethics

Supreme Court ruling removes gag on Colorado Christian counselor, raises questions about Kansas City-area restrictions

In a sweeping First Amendment decision issued March 31, the United States Supreme Court removed a virtual gag on free speech which the state of Colorado had imposed on Christian counselors when talking to minors about their sexuality. The Chiles decision has immediate implications beyond Colorado—including within the state of Missouri.
Media/Entertainment

Facebook, Instagram parent company ordered to pay $375 million for endangering children

Meta knowingly misled consumers about the safety of its online platforms and therefore endangered children, a jury decision rendered on March 24. Therefore, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram will pay $375 million in civil penalties, the maximum amount of $5,000 per violation.

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