NASHVILLE (BP) – South Carolina pastor Tom Tucker’s reelection, June 14, as vice chairman of the SBC Executive Committee became moot, June 16, when messengers to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting rejected a motion to nominate him to a second term on the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee elected Tucker to a second term as vice chair during its meeting Monday with the knowledge that while eligible to serve, his term was expiring and he was not among nominees to the Executive Committee … [Read more...]
MBTS students proclaim gospel at Crossover
NASHVILLE – Thirty-one people professed faith in Christ Jesus when students from the nation’s six seminaries proclaimed the gospel in Nashville during the Crossover evangelistic initiative prior to the SBC annual meeting here. Tom Johnston, senior professor of evangelism at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, directed the annual Crossover Seminary Evangelism Class. Thirteen students from Midwestern Seminary were involved this year. Many online students were involved in the program, … [Read more...]
SBC business plan change rejected, SBC constitution amended
NASHVILLE (BP) – Messengers resoundingly defeated a change to the SBC Business and Financial Plan proposed by the convention’s Executive Committee. Critics said the proposal would have granted the EC too much authority and left the six SBC seminaries in trouble with accreditors. The defeat was part of messengers’ mixed reception to a series of recommendations presented by the EC June 15 at the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting at Nashville’s Music City Center. An amendment to the SBC Constitution … [Read more...]
SBC messengers affirm resolutions addressing racial reconciliation, Hyde Amendment, Equality Act
NASHVILLE (BP) – Messengers to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting approved a broad resolution on the Bible’s sufficiency regarding race and racial reconciliation, June 15, but chose not to explicitly address the contentious issue of critical race theory. Among nine resolutions passed, messengers also endorsed overwhelmingly statements on government policies that included: • A denunciation of any attempt to rescind the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding of abortion. • Opposition to … [Read more...]
NAMB presentation and report highlight gospel impact in North America
NASHVILLE (BP) – “It’s working,” North American Mission Board (NAMB) President Kevin Ezell said of NAMB’s strategy for reaching North America with the Gospel. Since 2010, Southern Baptists have planted more than 8,200 churches. As Ezell shared that number, a map of North America depicted the success with dots representing where churches have been planted over the last decade. Those churches, Ezell said, make up nearly 17 percent of all churches across the Southern Baptist Convention. … [Read more...]
FTC Nashville focuses on SBC’s future ministry and mission
NASHVILLE (MBTS) – Focusing on the topic of the future of ministry and mission within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), Midwestern Seminary President Jason Allen moderated a panel discussion during the 6th annual For the Church Regional Micro-Conference held June 15 at the SBC annual meeting here. Nearly 1,000 attendees filled the room to hear an engaging discussion between Allen, Matt Carter, Ben Mandrell, Kevin Smith, Paul Chitwood, Ronnie Floyd, H.B. Charles, Jr., and Jared C. … [Read more...]
Litton elected SBC president in runoff
NASHVILLE (BP) – In the press conference following his election as the 46th president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Ed Litton spoke of family, healing and conversations to come. All of those dealt not only with subjects such as racial reconciliation and sexual abuse, but a Convention still divided over how to approach them. Litton, pastor of Redemption Church in Saraland, Ala., defeated Georgia pastor Mike Stone in a runoff Tuesday (June 15), receiving 6,834 votes (52.04 percent) … [Read more...]
Two-day Send Conference emphasizes unity, mission and Gospel focus
NASHVILLE (BP) – After featuring several prominent pastors and speakers from across the nation, the Send Conference concluded Monday evening (June 14). Jointly hosted by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the International Mission Board (IMB), the conference’s theme “Together on Mission” was designed to unite Southern Baptists around the Gospel. Speakers, from Tony Evans on Sunday night (June 13) to David Jeremiah Monday afternoon, emphasized the importance of Christian unity in … [Read more...]
Associational leaders have ‘Gospel-driven’ meeting
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders (SBCAL) met Sunday (June 13) for a time of worship and discussion around becoming a “Gospel Driven Association,” passionate in their pursuit to make Christ known among the nations by encouraging churches to be Gospel- and relationship-focused. The group met at the Sonesta Nashville Hotel for the opening session of its two-day conference prior to the start of the 2021 SBCAnnual Meeting. Around 400 people registered … [Read more...]
MBTS professor’s book points children to revelation in nature
KANSAS CITY – Love for nature fills Jason Duesing’s home in Kansas City. Duesing, provost and professor of historical theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, makes sure of that. Inspired by trees, he loves the color green. He often sketches trees and mountains, and his children playfully call him “The Lorax” – the Dr. Seuss character that loves nature and “speaks for the trees.” In fact, the Duesing family’s love for nature inspired a new children’s book, The Moon Speaks, … [Read more...]
Lifetime ministry couple reunites after one year
Mission:Dignity Sunday scheduled for June 27 DALLAS, Texas (GuideStone) – One Year. That’s how long it was that retired pastor Homer Hinson and his wife Doris were unable to touch each other due to COVID-19 restrictions in Homer’s nursing home. “We blew kisses through the window to each other every day,” Doris said. “Being married for 57 years, it was hard not being allowed to touch, hug or kiss him.” Homer pastored churches for almost 40 years in South Carolina, most of them … [Read more...]
WMU Missions Celebration highlights relentless faith, mission stories
NASHVILLE (WMU) – The WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 13 from 1-5 p.m. at Nashville First Baptist Church. “This year I am looking forward to fellowship and connecting with one another in person!” declared Linda Cooper, president of national WMU. “The last year has been challenging at best. I think we have truly learned what it means when we say ‘we are better together.’ We need that fellowship with one another that offers encouragement and … [Read more...]