BARACOA, Cuba — As Floridians continue to recover from the devastation of three hurricanes that have made landfall in the Sunshine State since early August, residents of Cuba are now grappling with similar challenges.

SUWANEE, Ga. — In the more than three weeks since Hurricane Helene tore through Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers have been working hard to help those affected by the storm.

University students from Zambia, Mississippi, and Tennessee sat around a blazing fire pit in Lusaka, Zambia. Songs and laughter filled the night air. And, like typical college students, conversations moved deeper the longer they hung out.  

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Heading into an election where the economy is top of mind for many voters, pastors say finances have been difficult at their church this year. A Lifeway Research study found 66% of U.S. Protestant pastors say the economy is very or somewhat negatively impacting their church.

AMERICUS, Ga. –  Bethel Baptist Church in Americus, Ga., highlighted the beauty of marriage as 26 couples simultaneously renewed their wedding vows.

Musella Baptist Church is excited to announce the call of a new pastor, Rev. Jessie Rustin.  He will begin his ministry on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. 

BARNARDSVILLE, N.C. (BP) — Curtis showed up about two weeks ago and has been invaluable for helping Barnardsville Baptist Church after flood damage to its building. It’s what he hasn’t done, however, that may signal a key to the long-term response to Helene’s damage in the area.

VALDOSTA, Ga. – Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers extend the love of Christ to disaster survivors, offering help, healing, and hope that is found in Jesus Christ.  Since the initial deployment to Georgia in response to Hurricane Helene, as of Oct. 16, ABDR has reported 31 professions of faith.  

JACKSON, Miss. — The 2024 Mississippi State Fair has drawn to a close, and with it Mississippi Baptist fair evangelism. With the help of newcomers and veteran churches, groups, and individuals, the engagement exceeded years past. This year, 195 volunteers had 2,824 gospel conversations, resulting in 373 decisions for Christ.

Generosity among Southern Baptists remains strong as evidenced by the most recent Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering totals. When the books closed on the SBC’s 2023-24 fiscal year Sept. 30, the Annie offering totaled $74.7 million, and the Lottie offering totaled $206.8 million – record highs for both.

DULUTH, Ga. (BP) – Asahi Ito first experienced the Holy Spirit in action while attending Akita International University more than 300 miles from her Toyama, Japan, home. But her parents dismissed her experience, pointing out she was still a minor.

VILLA RICA, Ga. — Ephesus Baptist Church celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on Sunday, Sept.29. However, the people were so responsive to the way in which the celebration had been planned and the way Pastor Billy Godwin used the worship services to recall the rich history of the church, it has become almost a month-long celebration.

I was the worst piano student EVER. I was lazy, never wanting to practice, and to make it worse…I lied. Every week I told my piano teacher it had sounded better at home. It hadn’t.

Have you ever heard the phrase "timing is everything"?  I have heard and actually used that phrase myself on occasions.  I took two of my granddaughters to the movie last week.  It had a sad part towards the end.  I looked over at the girls and I knew and saw that my tender-hearted grandchildren were feeling the sadness. 

On Tuesday, October 15, Southeastern Seminary’s board of trustees unanimously voted to approve that The College at Southeastern be renamed as Judson College. Named after Adoniram Judson, pioneer Baptist missionary in the early 1800s to Burma (modern-day Myanmar), Judson College exists to equip students to give their lives for the cause of Christ in the church, among the nations, and in every aspect of society.

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — John Thompson, pastor of Choestoe Baptist Church in the high hills of North Georgia, recently had a revival meeting in his church with evangelist Keith Fordham. The church was ready for revival and the meeting resulted in five people responding to the gospel, three additional individuals added to the church, and many believers resolving to have a closer walk with God.

SARASOTA, Fla. (BP) — Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene struck Florida’s Big Bend, Category 3 Hurricane Milton made landfall Oct. 9 near Siesta Key, a barrier island located off the coast of Sarasota.

Cleveland, GA – Research.com recently recognized Truett McConnell University for its achievements in education, particularly within the School of Business. The award statement noted that it is a “testament to academic excellence and student satisfaction with their Business programs.” (research.com) Truett McConnell seeks to foster an environment where biblical Truth is communicated in every field and students are immersed in a culture that honors Christ. The statement also reads that, “The award truly reflects the institution’s commitment to providing an exceptional Business education and fostering an enriching environment for its students.”

McCAYSVILLE, Ga. — Dr. David Drake, pastor of First Baptist Church McCaysville/Copperhill, and his wife, Marilyn had a unique way of celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Rather than taking a trip to some exotic place and enjoying life on an extended vacation, they decided to do something special each month during the year of their golden anniversary.

NASHVILLE (BP) — Hurricane Katrina’s destruction in 2005 to New Orleans and surrounding areas prompted a yearslong response by Southern Baptist churches and Disaster Relief personnel, with volunteer recruitment for the latter spiking up to 80,000.

MAYSVILLE, Ga. — The 225th annual meeting of the Sarepta Baptist Association focused on reflection, celebration, and thanksgiving. In many ways the voices heard at the meeting, held Sunday, Oct. 6, at Maysville Baptist Church, must have reflected those who gathered at the Shoal Creek Meeting House in 1799.

TAMPA, Fla. — “Everything utterly destroyed–furniture, seats, resources.” That’s how Pastor Rafael Sanchez described the newly renovated church building of Tampa’s Iglesia Bautista Bethel, flooded with more than two feet of water after Hurricane Milton unleashed its fury Oct. 9.

THOMASVILLE, N.C. — After a yearlong search, the Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) of North Carolina has a new leader for the first time in 40 years. David Melber, a veteran executive leader in Southern Baptist life, was named BCH’s next CEO following a unanimous vote by the organization’s board of trustees during a special meeting held Friday, Oct. 11.

CLEVELAND, Ga. — On Thursday, October 10, Truett McConnell University students gathered in the Student Wellness Center for a job fair hosted by the Rielin and Salmen School of Nursing. Representatives came from a variety of hospitals and medical centers, including:

John Bowen has a passion for connecting his small town Mississippi church with international missions. Since his retirement in 2018, the former principal has represented Bethsaida Church, Philadelphia, on three Vision Journeys with the Missions Mobilization department of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board — to Poland, Laos, and most recently, Indonesia.