WAKE FOREST, N.C. — At Southeastern Seminary, the final chapel of the semester celebrates and awards students in The College and the seminary who have demonstrated excellence in their academics and ministry. Thursday’s awards chapel was uniquely memorable and encouraging. In a profoundly special moment and an answer to many prayers, beloved faculty member Dr. Jim Shaddix joined President Danny Akin on the chapel stage for a conversation about his ongoing battle with cancer.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Get to work in the harvest, Bart Barber, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, challenged the 301 graduates of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College during spring commencement held Friday, May 3, on the Fort Worth campus.

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Growing up, Austin MathisGrowing up, Austin Mathis didn’t know many pastors who held jobs outside their pastoral roles. So, naturally, when he felt God’s call to plant a church in 2014, Austin didn’t picture himself pastoring while also starting a business and coaching at the local high school. didn’t know many pastors who held jobs outside their pastoral roles. So, naturally, when he felt God’s call to plant a church in 2014, Austin didn’t …

INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – Southern Baptist Convention entities will be hosting a wide selection of gatherings for fellowship, equipping and celebration surrounding the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting to be held June 10-13.

Ask David Lee and Zoey Kim about the one thing that can push their ministry in Madagascar to the next level. The International Mission Board missionary couple will answer in unison, “More workers.” 

WATKINSVILLE, Ga. — “We were just laymen helping to start a church in Franklin, Tenn., when Gabe Norris and I realized just how hard it is for the church in America to meet new people,” said Ken “KT” Thomas, president and co-founder of Connect Ministries. After having this realization, Thomas and Norris soon quit their jobs at Lifeway Christian Resources and started Connect Ministries, a nonprofit organization based in Watkinsville that helps church members meet new people in their surrounding communities and share the gospel with them.  

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.

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.

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.

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.