October 21, 2026
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Angie Presnal discovers an unexpected calling and a lasting purpose in missions

Angie Presnal stands in front of items collected at a concert held at FBC Winder, Ga. (Photo/Jon Duncan)
CARROLLTON, Ga. — About 20 years ago, Angie Presnal took a spiritual gifts inventory and scored a zero in missions. Today, she helps coordinate mission projects for the Georgia Baptist Jubalheirs and serves as ministry assistant for the Carrollton Baptist Association.
Trending stories
Barb Coffan, right, interprets as Pastor Mac McCurry prays during the Deaf Day event held at Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church in Rome, Ga., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (Index/Henry Durand)
Deaf Day equips churches to reach Deaf people with the gospel
ROME, Ga. — Dana Tarter summed up one of the challenges churches face in reaching Deaf people with the gospel in three words. “Access is key,” she said. “If you don’t have access to the information, it doesn’t matter what information you’re trying to share, you’re missing it.”
Students pray at the altar on the last day of Confluence, Oct. 11, 2026. (Index/Henry Durand)
Confluence students answer calls to faith, ministry, and mission
MCDONOUGH, Ga. — The Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s annual collegiate gathering, Confluence, led to at least 22 professions of faith, 118 responses to a call to ministry, and 651 other decisions or commitments. 
Members worship in Transformation Church's newly renovated sanctuary. (Photo/Transformation Church)
Transformation Church embraces Great Commission in Lula
LULA, Ga. — Transformation Church in Lula is very much akin to the New Testament church because, in many ways, it reflects the spirit of the church described in Acts 2:44-47. It is not a large church, and it is not a wealthy church, but the people are excited about their faith, seeking to meet the needs of their community, and welcoming everyone to be a part of their family.
Evangelist Doug Elks. (Photo/Festival of Hope, Frank Simme)
Monroe Festival of Hope sees 96 professions of faith
MONROE, Ga. — Rain fell on the opening night of the Festival of Hope at American Legion Post 64 Fairgrounds, but the four-night evangelistic event continued and resulted in 96 professions of faith.
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers gather outside a trailer in Florida. (Photo/GBDR)
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief deploys to Florida after Hurricane Isaias
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — About 50 Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are working in the Florida Panhandle after Hurricane Isaias brought destructive winds, flooding, and widespread damage to the region.
Baptist Life

Burnt Hickory breaks ground on 2,400-seat worship center

Members, families, and friends gather at the groundbreaking for a 2,400-seat worship center. (Photo/Burnt Hickory Baptist Church)
POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. — Burnt Hickory Baptist Church broke ground Sunday, Oct. 11, on a 2,400-seat worship center as part of its “All In” initiative, a project church leaders say will provide needed space for a congregation that is already holding five Sunday morning worship services in two auditoriums.

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Flames engulf Dover Baptist Church Sunday morning, Oct. 18. (Photo/Jerry Reed)
SHELBY, N.C. — After a fire destroyed their building early this past Sunday, Oct. 18, members of Dover Baptist Church are finding comfort in knowing that the church is more than just a place where they meet.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler addresses trustees. (Photo/SBTS)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Board of Trustees of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary met Monday and Tuesday, October 19–20, for their fall meeting, where they welcomed eight new members, heard President R. Albert Mohler, Jr. trace nearly 170 years of God’s faithfulness to the institution, received a remarkably strong financial report, and were reminded from 2 Timothy of the gravity of the seminary’s calling to prepare those God has called to ministry.
(Photo/Lifeway)
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (BP) – An inquiry by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a former Lifeway Christian Resources employee who most recently served as the director of Global Ministry.
President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Washington. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP, File)
DALLAS — President Donald J. Trump signed the Clergy Act into law, marking a significant development for ministers and ministry families nationwide. The legislation creates a temporary opportunity for eligible ministers who previously opted out of Social Security to elect future participation in the program.
Georgia
The seal on the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building is seen June 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FBI is investigating reports of an 'incendiary device' being thrown at an ICE building in Atlanta

ATLANTA (AP) — The FBI is investigating reports of an “incendiary device” being thrown at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday night.

A person waits in line to vote in Georgia's primary election on May 24, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Georgia early voting tops 1 million ballots

ATLANTA — A record number of Georgia voters have cast early ballots in person for a midterm election, surpassing 1 million on Tuesday. “We continue to break records each day of early voting,” Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

Georgia tax collections continued growing in September

ATLANTA — Net Georgia tax collections in September rose 2.3% over the same month last year, continuing gains recorded in recent months. Net collections for the month totaled $3.34 billion, up $76.7 million.
Attractions are seen at Six Flags Over Georgia, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Mableton. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Georgia amusement park to reopen as scheduled days after roller coaster death

ATLANTA (AP) — Six Flags Over Georgia is set to open its gates Friday for the first time since a man fell to his death from one of the amusement park's towering roller coasters.

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Nation
A plume of smokes rises from MC Tank Transport Inc., where a chemical tank exploded overnight, prompting hundreds of residents to evacuate or shelter in place amid concerns about a potential toxic release, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in north Toledo, Ohio. (Jeremy Wadsworth/The Blade via AP)

A chemical tank explodes in Ohio, forcing evacuations and prompting fears of another blast

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A chemical tank explosion in Toledo, Ohio, forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes and others to stay indoors Wednesday due to fears of a toxic release and the possibility of another explosion.

LifeWise Academy incorporates Bible study in its program. (Photo/LifeWise Academy)

LifeWise Academy secures Washington public school access to off-site Bible study

EVERETT, Wash. (BP) – LifeWise Academy has secured the right to operate its off-site Bible-based character development program in Everett, Wash., and garnered a public apology for being falsely accused of favoring white supremacy and a “fascist theocracy.”
Mourners visit a makeshift memorial to honor the victims and survivors of a human smuggling tragedy in which dozens of migrants were found dead or dying in a tractor-trailer a week prior, July 6, 2022, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Guatemalan man gets 30 years for role in smuggling tragedy that killed 53 people in Texas

A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Guatemalan man extradited to the U.S. over his role in a 2022 human smuggling attempt that ended in the deaths of 53 migrants who had been transported in a sweltering tractor-trailer in Texas.
The Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Heather Ainsworth, File)

Woman who accused students of rape says Cornell president's response made her feel 'unsupported'

A woman who accused several Cornell students of raping her at a fraternity party says the university’s president questioned why she waited to report the alleged assault, leaving her feeling “unsupported and disbelieved.”

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World
A woman reacts during an interview in Samelo psychotherapeutic health center where she receives mental health support after losing two family members and several close associates to Ebola virus, in Bunia, Congo, Oct. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Dieudonne Dirole)

As Ebola spreads in Congo, grieving families face a growing mental health toll

BUNIA, Congo (AP) — When a schoolteacher in eastern Congo learned that five of her family members had been diagnosed with Ebola, she was “deeply shaken,” fearing the worst from a disease that carries stigma and is seen by some in her community as evil.

Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen accused of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine against Russia, appears in a video link as he stands in a glass cage during a court session in the Moscow City court in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years in prison, during a visit by US envoy

Russia on Wednesday released an American who had been jailed for more than four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, in a deal reached during a visit by a top U.S. envoy and at a time when President Donald Trump has taken a series of actions meant to benefit Moscow.
Phil Haines, husband of independent member of parliament Helen Haines, speaks to the media in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AAP Image via AP)

Australian politician who was hit by car has lost both legs

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Doctors have amputated both of Australian federal lawmaker Helen Haines' legs as she remains in critical condition after being repeatedly hit by a car in an apparent act of political violence, her husband said Wednesday.
Supporters wait for results at the pro-Canada watch party in Edmonton, Alberta Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (James Maclennan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Alberta rejects a move toward independence from Canada

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Voters in Canada’s oil-rich Alberta province overwhelmingly backed remaining in Canada. With more than 1.5 million votes counted, 76% supported remaining in Canada, while close to 24% backed beginning a process toward separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta.

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Perspectives
Adam Dooley
Few things are more difficult for a pastor than watching people hurt. The number of times I have stood by when a loved one takes his last breath is too numerous to count. Bad diagnoses, broken marriages, rebellious children, abusive relationships, and significant losses are but a small sampling of the heartaches that seem increasingly common in our broken world. Hardships like these can leave us reeling.
Jill Johnson
We recently bought a new car. My 2017 Nissan had 196,000 miles on it and had seen its better days. My new car is taking some getting used to as it has so many different warnings. If I don't put my seat belt on right away, it will beep continually until I do. If I change lanes and another vehicle is in my blind spot, the steering wheel will vibrate along with an alert.
Todd Gray
Tech leader Bill Gates is often quoted as saying, “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in 10 years.” The same could be said about five-year goals.  
PJ Dunn
Oh, look! Another artificial intelligence-generated church logo, promotional graphic, or meme. It looks clean — sort of. And anyone can type a few words and suddenly become a graphic artist. Think of how much time and money churches can save by using AI to create all the images they need.
John Spencer
I am the middle child in my family. I have two sisters on either end. The great thing about being the only boy was I usually had my own room growing up. The only drawback was that I also had the extra bed in my room. That meant when family came to stay with us, they bunked with me.

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Business
A tugboat pushes a container ship to a port in Yantai, eastern China's Shandong province on Oct. 14, 2026. (Chinatopix via AP)

China's economy accelerated in the July-September quarter on robust exports

HONG KONG (AP) — China said Monday its economy grew 4.5% in the July-September quarter from a year ago, fueled by robust exports, moving closer to meeting its official annual growth target for the year as trading partners seek to balance their trade deficits with the country.

The Social Security Administration office is seen in Mount Prospect, Ill., Oct. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Social Security recipients to get 3.6% cost of living boost, an average of $75 per month

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Social Security Administration projected Wednesday that the annual cost-of-living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities will go up by 3.6% beginning in 2027, with some recipients complaining that is not enough to offset soaring prices.
(Photo/NOBTS)

New Orleans Seminary partners with The Worship Initiative and SBC Worship for night of worship celebrating Center for Worship Studies

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary hosted a worship night Oct. 6 in partnership with The Worship Initiative and SBC Worship. The event was held in celebration of the ribbon-cutting for the seminary's new Center for Worship Studies, which took place earlier in the day.  
The U.S. Department of Agriculture seal is seen on a podium during a news conference in Washington on July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

More than 160,000 pounds of meat bearing false USDA inspection labels recalled

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 83 tons of meat are being recalled across the U.S. because the products were not properly inspected by federal authorities and were shipped out with falsified inspection stickers, the Department of Agriculture said.
A hiring sign is displayed at a grocery store, in Schaumburg, Ill., Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Claims for unemployment benefits drop to 197,000, the lowest since mid-July as layoffs remain rare

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, as U.S. jobless claims remain at historically low levels and most Americans enjoy job security.

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Sports
Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero celebrates their win iver the Cleveland Guardians to clinch the American League Championship Series in St. Petersburg, Fla., Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Díaz, Caminero and Peralta lead Rays to 7-3 win over Guardians and a trip to the World Series

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Yandy Díaz's bat backed up his boast, and the Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the World Series again. Díaz and Junior Caminero each hit a two-run homer, Freddy Peralta pitched 5 1/3 gritty innings, and the Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night to win their third pennant in 29 seasons as a major league franchise.

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels is taken off the field after being injured during the second half in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels carted off on stretcher after third-quarter tackle

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels was injured and left the field on a stretcher in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. The Falcons said that Daniels was alert and had movement in all his extremities and was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for further evaluation. He was seen after the game in the locker room walking under his own power.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Caleb Williams completes first 12 passes in return after missing 3 games as Bears top Falcons 31-23

ATLANTA (AP) — Caleb Williams had been “itching” on the sideline while missing three straight games. Finally cleared to play, Williams performed as if determined to make up for lost time. Williams completed his first 12 passes in his return from a hamstring injury, D'Andre Swift ran for two touchdowns, and the Chicago Bears beat the Atlanta Falcons 31-23 on Sunday.
Miami running back Javian Mallory (21) celebrates with offensive lineman Ben Congdon after scoring a touchdown during the second half against Florida State, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami takes No. 1 in the latest AP Top 25 after a week of upsets

Miami is No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2002, No. 2 BYU has its highest ranking since its 1984 national championship season, and Notre Dame and Georgia stayed in the top five Sunday after both lost close games.

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