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Missions in Motion: Georgia Baptists unite in prayer and giving

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Every September, Georgia Baptist churches unite to pray and generously give to a missions offering dedicated to making a gospel difference across the state. This year’s theme for the Georgia Baptist State Missions Offering is Missions in Motion and highlights the gospel-centered impact taking place across Georgia as believers step into their communities to build relationships and meet tangible needs.
Pastor Wayne Robertson preaches at the 2022 Georgia Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Augusta. (Index/Henry Durand, File)
Robertson marks 40 years leading South Georgia Bible Conference
VALDOSTA, Ga. — The year was 1986. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in what was then the Soviet Union, exploded, killing 31 people and sending radioactive contamination across Europe. The space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members. Barry Bonds made his Major League Baseball debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  After a $50 million facelift, Carnegie Hall reopened. IBM released its first laptop computer.
Aleksei Kharlamov preaches at Spring Church, a church he helped plant in Moraga, Calif. (Photo/from Facebook via Baptist Press)
Religious liberty ‘the best blessing’ America has, Baptist immigrants say
NASHVILLE (BP) – For distributing the Bible and sharing the gospel in the Soviet Union, Aleksei Kharlamov’s great-grandfather was sent to Siberia and never heard from again. His grandfather and father both were persecuted for being Baptist pastors. Growing up in post-Soviet Moscow, Kharlamov was called a cult member for being a Baptist.
Onlookers review the damage along the Guadalupe River caused by recent flooding, Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Girls camp grieves loss of 27 campers and counselors in Texas floods that killed nearly 90 people
KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Camp Mystic says it is “grieving the loss” of 27 campers and counselors as the search continued Monday for victims of catastrophic Texas flooding over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Brandon Lewis, worship pastor at Warren Baptist Church in Augusta and leader of the praise track at SURGE music camp for the past two years, talks to students during a songwriting class at this year's camp. (Photo/GBMB)
Music camp experience comes full circle for SURGE leaders
ROME, Ga. — Each summer, students and leaders gather at Shorter University in Rome to make a joyful noise at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s SURGE music camp. For some leaders, their involvement has come full circle. Once students themselves, they now strive to impact the next generation of musicians.
The congregation at Palmetto Baptist Church. (Photo/Palmetto Baptist Church)
Church revitalization leads to record growth at Palmetto Baptist
PALMETTO, Ga. — Over the past five years, a dramatic change in spirit has taken place at Palmetto Baptist Church, and it has resulted in historic growth. “It’s a beautiful place to be,” said senior pastor Lee Brewer.
Baptist Life

Volunteers needed: GBDR readies for hurricane response with fall trainings

A Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief chaplain prays for a woman in Alma, Ga., after Hurricane Helene tore through the state. (Index/Henry Durand, File)
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — As the 2025 hurricane season begins, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief (GBDR) is preparing to respond, not only with chainsaws and cleanup crews but with the gospel. So far this year, GBDR volunteers have performed 1,842 days of work and shared the gospel 201 times, resulting in 13 professions of faith.
This has been a hard week for me. I am sure it has been a hard week for many people for different reasons. The tragedy in Texas has been on my heart and mind. As a parent and a grandparent, I cannot even begin to comprehend the enormity of what the people who have lost loved ones must be feeling.
WASHINGTON (BP) – Colossians 1:9, Ephesians 4:1, and Micah 6:8 were among the Scripture passages touched on in a prayer offered at the opening of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday morning, July 9, by SBC President Clint Pressley.
KERRVILLE, Texas — Joey Tombrella’s cellphone has been in a constant buzz over the past few days. Tombrella, pastor of First Baptist Church Kerrville, has fielded calls, texts, and emails from countless people asking how they can help in the wake of historic flooding in the Texas Hill Country that, to date, has left more than 100 people dead, with many still missing.
WAYCROSS, Ga. — Baptist Village is proud to celebrate an incredible milestone: 50 years of exceptional service from our dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Fannie Sullivan (hired July 28, 1975. Fannie’s unwavering commitment to compassionate care has significantly impacted countless lives throughout the Baptist Village community.
Georgia

Folkston immigrant detention center to become nation's largest

ATLANTA - South Georgia soon will become home to the largest illegal immigrant detention center in the country.

Cold storage project coming to McIntosh County

ATLANTA - Two cold storage companies have broken ground on a $60 million cold storage facility being built in Darien, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Wednesday. PermaCold Logistics is being undertaken by cold storage builder and developer Ti Cold and Karis Cold, a private investment and development company with expertise in the cold storage industry. The first phase of the project is expected to create 50 jobs upon completion.

Georgia man gets 35 years for dealing fentanyl

ATLANTA — Dwan Maurice Hewlett must have thought he was about to make a lucrative deal when he drove to an Athens gas station. His car was filled with fentanyl and other drugs, in baggies ready to go. Instead, he wound up sprinting down the road, in a hapless attempt to evade police officers.

13 people killed, over 135 injured in Georgia during 2025 Independence Day holiday travel period

ATLANTA — During the 78-hour Independence Day holiday travel period, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Troopers investigated eight fatal traffic crashes, while local law enforcement agencies investigated an additional five, resulting in a total of 13 traffic-related deaths statewide.
Nation
President Joe Biden speaks to the media in North Charleston, S.C., Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

Biden's former doctor refuses to answer questions in House probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s former White House physician refused on Wednesday to answer questions as part of the House Republican investigation into Biden’s health in office. Dr. Kevin O’Connor invoked his rights under the Fifth Amendment during a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee, his attorney and lawmakers said.

Pastors who endorse political candidates shouldn't lose tax-exempt status, IRS says in filing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS says pastors who endorse political candidates from the pulpit should not have to risk losing their tax-exempt status. The move effectively calls for a carve out for religious organizations from the rarely used IRS rule called the Johnson Amendment, put in place in 1954 and named after then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson.

Flash flooding kills 3 in a New Mexico mountain village

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Monsoon rains in southern New Mexico triggered flash flooding that killed three people and was so intense that an entire house was swept downstream in a mountain village that is a popular summer retreat.

Searchers in helicopters and on horseback scour Texas flood debris for the missing

HUNT, Texas (AP) — As the search in Texas continued Wednesday for more than 160 people believed to be missing days after a destructive wall of water killed over 100 people, the full extent of the catastrophe had yet to be revealed as officials warned that unaccounted victims could still be found amid the massive piles of debris that stretch for miles.
World
The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C is seen near Cathlamet, Oregon, July 23, 2019. (Mike Cullom via AP, File)

Rescuers search for survivors after Houthi attack on cargo ship in the Red Sea

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rescuers launched a search Wednesday for survivors of a Liberian-flagged cargo ship that came under attack from Yemen's Houthi terrorists in the Red Sea, authorities said. At least three mariners were killed and two were wounded.

From the mission field: Dozens of earthquakes and aftershocks cause two deaths in Guatemala

Two people died when huge rocks fell on their vehicle in Guatemala, after dozens of earthquakes were recorded in a matter of hours, authorities said. The two men killed were traveling in a pickup truck on a local road in the department of Escuintla on Tuesday when the rocks fell from a hillside onto the vehicle, firefighters said.

Russia launches another record drone attack on Ukraine, Ukrainian officials say

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia fired a record 728 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, as well as 13 cruise and ballistic missiles, the Ukrainian air force said Wednesday, in the latest escalation after weeks of mounting Russian aerial and ground attacks in the more than three-year war.

Israeli military says five soldiers were killed in an attack in northern Gaza

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Five Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack in Gaza, the Israeli military said Tuesday.
Perspectives
Words cannot express the gratitude that Georgia Baptists feel toward Suzanne Guy. Recently, she received the Pro-life Woman of the Year Award at the annual Celebrate Life Conference hosted by Abby Johnson in Washington, D.C., June 27-29.
What if your church’s discipleship strategy isn’t broken—it’s just incomplete? Many churches today are seeing some progress in making disciples, but without a culture-wide framework, efforts often stall out or stay siloed.
Is church a waste of time? Is it a waste of time for you to refuel your car? If you do not stop occasionally at the convenience store or fueling station, your car will just be a piece of metal beside the road. Your automobile requires gasoline or charging to keep going. 
What do you get when you blend high energy, enthusiasm, determination, patriotism, persistence, tight security, and a ton of fun in the summer heat? The 56th running of the Atlanta July 4th Peachtree Road Race.
Salvation is the process of redemption, of rebirth, of becoming a child of God and a member of His family. In his book, The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life, Charles Stanley explained the process most eloquently. He said, “By putting our sin on Christ and placing Christ’s righteous standing on us, God allowed us entry into His family. It’s not our righteousness. It’s Christ’s.”
Business
A shopper looks at plants at a Home Depot store in Hiram, Ga., July 15, 2022. (Index/Henry Durand, File)

Home Depot heads deeper into the building supply business with $5 billion acquisition of GMS

Home Depot is buying specialty building products distributor GMS for $4.3 billion, the second notable acquisition in a little over a year that emphasizes a deliberate push by the home improvement chain into building and materials supply.

Purdue Pharma’s $7B opioid settlement could advance after states back it

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s latest plan to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of opioids could soon move forward after every U.S. state involved agreed to it. A judge on Wednesday is being asked to clear the way for local governments and individual victims to vote on it next.

Trump announces new China trade deal

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States will get magnets and rare earth minerals from China under a new trade deal and that tariffs on Chinese goods will rise to 55%.

U.S. inflation remained mostly tame last month

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. inflation remained mostly tame last month, though still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

China says its exports to the US fell 35% in May, as trade talks are due to start in London

China's exports to the United States fell 35% in May from a year earlier, new customs data show, adding to pressure on the world's second-largest economy as a new round of trade talks with Washington was due to start later Monday in London.
Sports
Athletics' Nick Kurtz celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Kurtz hits a grand slam, Butler adds 2 HRs as Athletics dominate Braves 10-1

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Nick Kurtz hit a grand slam, Lawrence Butler homered twice and the Athletics beat the Atlanta Braves 10-1 on Tuesday night.

UPenn updates swimming records set by Lia Thomas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The University of Pennsylvania on Tuesday modified a trio of school records set by Lia Thomas, a biological male who competed on the women's swim team, and said it would apologize to female athletes “disadvantaged” by Thomas' participation on the team, part of a resolution of a federal civil rights case.

Adell's double in 8th drives in the game's first run as Angels beat Braves 4-0 and return to .500

ATLANTA (AP) — Jo Adell's run-scoring double in the eighth inning ended a scoreless tie and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Atlanta Braves 4-0 on Tuesday night. The Angels (42-42) reached .500 for the ninth time this season, while the Braves (38-46) have lost five of six.

Chris Sale dominates as Braves hand Mets 5th-straight loss 5-0

ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Sale went 8 2/3 innings just missing his first shutout since 2019, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson hit home runs, and the Atlanta Braves handed the New York Mets their season-high fifth straight loss, 5-0 on Wednesday night.