Looking to keep the doctor away? A weekly church visit may do more than an apple a day. A Harvard Public Health article highlights numerous studies demonstrating the overall health benefits of regular church attendance.

Shu Huang said when he moved to Alabama in 1978, he heard the gospel — and immediately rejected it. “Christians would talk to me, and I would say, ‘I don’t want this,’” he said. He and his wife, Lilly, were from Taiwan, and he hadn’t grown up thinking of himself as a sinner. He couldn’t get his head around the concept of being bound for hell because of his actions.

ARLINGTON, Texas (BP) – To be on a Zoom call with Jared Wellman is to observe his love for professional basketball. In addition to family pictures, his workspaces are filled with photos, jerseys, basketballs and other collectibles connected to NBA legends.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) — The Biden Administration has finalized new rules that could threaten the ability of Sunrise Children’s Services and other faith-based agencies to place Kentucky children in foster care.

The Rev. Robert Langston Thompson, 92, of Tifton passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Maple Court in Tifton. His funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church with the Dr. Harris Malcom officiating.

LITHONIA, Ga. — Over the last 61 years, Luther Rice College & Seminary has been faithfully providing graduates who go on to serve Georgia Baptist churches. On Friday, Luther Rice has expanded its impact by launching its newest degree program - an Associate of Arts in General Studies. The 60-credit hour program is open for applications and will begin offering classes this fall.  

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) – Racetrack workers on the backside of Churchill Downs number around 1,000. Pavel Urruchi, who has been the track chaplain since last November, sees it as his mission field. He wants to make sure each one of them has an opportunity to hear the gospel.

In the final months of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, the region of Brazil faced an unprecedented crisis—the worst drought in recorded history. This catastrophe struck hardest in the river communities, where livelihoods depend on abundant water.

W. Thomas Hammond Jr., executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, and his wife Kerri led Georgia Baptists in a time of corporate prayer via livestream Wednesday morning on the National Day of Prayer.

Seminary training has always been more than taking classes. Formation for ministry has always been as important as the content of the curriculum. But the global pandemic in 2020 forged a new era in virtual education. Could the intangible qualities of seminary translate into an increasingly digital education space?

“When you hear me preach or teach, more than 99% of the time, I’m relaying what the Lord is working on in me,” remarked Wayne VanHorn, professor of Christian studies at Mississippi College. This is the reality of pastorship; God’s word must reach a preacher’s own conviction before he can properly teach the truth from the pulpit.

The prophet Elijah knew plenty about the ups and downs of following God. We can draw strength and encouragement from his true story. We can be reminded that through good times and bad, God is still with us, and will help us in staying the course.

In a troubling sign for many congregations, half of pastors say they are often or frequently lonely, according to a report of clergy health. Pastors may be healthy in many other areas, but most say they struggle with feeling lonely, according to a report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — At a time when war and tumult are rampant across the globe, prayer warriors are believing God will hear their cry for help and relief. The 2024 National Day of Prayer is set to be observed on May 2.

NASHVILLE (BP) — Four recommendations released today are designed to “prioritize and emphasize the authority of messengers in defining the boundaries of our cooperation while clarifying and refining our structure,” said a statement from the SBC’s Cooperation Group.

I don’t know about you, but I struggle with my “thoughts” constantly. I read this in my devotional today from Lysa Terkeurst: “When I obsess over things out of my control, it makes me act out of control. A much better place to park my mind is to look for God’s protection, provision, and lessons on perseverance in the midst of whatever I’m facing.”

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Lifeway President and CEO Ben Mandrell announced the appointment of Joe Walker as its new executive vice president and Scott Arvay as its new chief operating officer. Lifeway trustees approved Walker and Arvay in their new roles during a special-called board meeting Wednesday, May 1, 2024. 

NASHVILLE (BP) – Strategic changes could be afoot at the SBC Executive Committee during Jeff Iorg’s first 100 days as president if his latest podcast episode is any indication.

In the heart of a conflict-stricken city in India, where tensions between the Christian majority Kuki-Zo and Hindu majority Meitei communities have left families displaced and homes destroyed, Send Relief’s blanket distribution project has brought more than just warmth; it has brought hope, faith and healing.

ROME, Ga. — Shorter University announced on Tuesday, April 30, that Hollywood star, director, producer and author Kevin Sorbo will be the featured speaker at Shorter University’s 2024 President’s Gala on Dec. 5, 2024.

FRANKLIN , Tenn. — The start of a new year will mark the end of an era for the Baptist and Reflector.  Lonnie Wilkey, who has served as editor of the B&R for 26 years, has announced his plans to retire from his position, effective Dec. 31, 2024.

This Thursday, May 2, is the National Day of Prayer. It was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1952, and the date was set to the first Thursday in May by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Volunteers with Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief were called into action in the immediate aftermath of the deadly tornado outbreak in Oklahoma on Saturday, April 27. From preparing meals to chainsaw/debris clean-up to chaplaincy ministry, Oklahoma Baptist DR teams are already making an impact in hard hit areas of the state.

CINCINNATI (BP) — Michael Clary, pastor of Christ the King Church in Cincinnati, announced Monday his intention to nominate Wesley Russell, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Pikeville, Ky., for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention at the annual meeting in June.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Lifeway, B&H Publishing and Holman Bible Publishers recently announced the CSB “She Reads Truth Bible” achieved a Platinum Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) for selling more than 1 million copies.