WASHINGTON (BP) — The Justice Department has released the first draft of a report on religious liberty following a yearlong study ordered by President Donald Trump. The wide-ranging report deals with areas such as public schools, the military, and how faith-based organizations should interact with federal grants.

TALLADEGA, Ala. — More than 200 students, leaders and volunteers from Korean Southern Baptist churches gathered May 26-29 at Shocco Springs Baptist Retreat Center for a youth retreat focused on helping the next generation become rooted in Christ and grounded in Scripture.

RIO DE JANEIRO (BP) — “’Flywheel’ was my favorite,” fans often tell Stephen Kendrick of his and his brother Alex’s 2003 movie-making debut, a small-budget film that began the brothers’ journey of highlighting faith on the big screen.

SWANNANOA, N.C. — Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated communities across western North Carolina, N.C. Baptists on Mission has reached a major milestone in the ongoing rebuild efforts in the region by completing work on its 1,000th home.

CARACAS, Venezuela — Devastating news continues streaming out of Venezuela as the death toll keeps rising. Many suspect the June 30 total of 1,719 victims may only be scratching the surface of the total loss of life from last week’s earthquakes.

RIDGECREST, N.C. – This week, Lifeway Christian Resources celebrated the 2 millionth camper to attend FUGE Camps since its launch in 1979. Showered by balloons and confetti, Madelyn Sugg, of Westside Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky, was named the 2 millionth camper during the opening celebration of a combined Centrifuge and MFuge camp at Ridgecrest Conference Center, June 28. This week’s combined camp boasts 1,253 campers from 42 churches.

NASHVILLE (BP) – An era of heightened missionary security is upon us. This year’s SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando made that evident. A missionary commissioning service, as usual, did not show the faces of missionaries headed to high-security areas. But for the first time at an Annual Meeting, the service did not feature their voices either. Instead, voice actors told their stories.

When I played soccer in college, our coach told us that we were most vulnerable to be scored on in the five minutes after we had scored. Why? Because he knew that we would get caught up celebrating and let down our defense. What can happen on the soccer field can also happen on the battlefield. In Joshua 6, we saw the complete conquest of Jericho in an extraordinary fashion.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (8:32). Those words are true. You may also have discovered another truth — that before the truth makes you free, it might make you angry. Ponder this: Truth is not always pleasant to hear and is not always welcomed by everyone. Those without a saving relationship with Jesus are spiritually opposed to Him, and many respond to the good news of the gospel with anger and hatred.

Trace Hamiter had been watching it happen for years. Students would graduate from high school, leave their churches, and arrive at Auburn University. Within months, they drifted. Not because they renounced their faith, but because no one had helped them find their footing before the drift began.

NEW ORLEANS — A group of students from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary recently participated in a mission trip to Southeast Asia alongside students from three other SBC seminaries.  

NASHVILLE (BP) – Flags waving, sparklers sizzling, and patriotic songs galore will help Americans mark the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. Leading public policy voices hope Southern Baptists won’t miss the opportunity to give thanks for their freedoms and remember why they’re so important.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Jail feels like limbo for some. It is a place of saving grace for others. It was for Torie McCord. A married mother of three, McCord had been leading what looked like an ordinary suburban life. But underneath, she was struggling with alcoholism.

CARACAS, Venezuela — A lethal pair of earthquakes struck Venezuela late in the evening of Wednesday, June 24. Initial reports indicated that 164 people lost their lives. Hundreds more were injured, while others were reported missing.

ROME, Ga. — When Georgiana Ungur first came to SURGE in 2015 as a child camper, she was learning how music could be used to serve the Lord. This summer, she returned to the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s music camp at Shorter University as a staff member, seated at the piano and helping lead the youth choir.

BOWMAN, Ga. — When there is a need, Faith Baptist Church in Bowman hooks up a trailer, hits the road, and builds relationships one trip at a time.

CLEVELAND, Ga. — Former Truett McConnell University President Emir Caner has sued the university, alleging in a complaint filed June 5 that its Board of Trustees breached his employment contract when it terminated him last year. The lawsuit, filed in White County Superior Court, follows the Board’s investigation into the university’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations involving a former university official.

HAZLEHURST, Ga. — When Michael Creamer arrived at Eureka Baptist Church in 2018, only three people were attending. Seven years later, the church is averaging about 65, has welcomed new believers and new members, and is seeing renewed energy through worship, children’s ministry, missions, and evangelism.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Georgia Baptist evangelists Ron and Claudia Henderson, longtime members of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, were recognized and honored for their 50 years of music evangelism when the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists met in Orlando during this month’s annual gathering of Southern Baptists. 

CLAXTON, Ga. — Judges who preside over the courtrooms of our land must be objective, impartial, courageous, and compassionate, all at the same time.

In towns and villages of the Philippines, the good news of Jesus is meaningful, exciting, life-changing, and liberating.

CENTRE, Ala. (BP) — Jeff Chambers grew up at Noah Baptist Church, which sits on a hill just off County Road 16 about a half-mile east of John’s Crossroads. Fields border it on two sides. A concrete table that hosted many outdoor potlucks for homecomings and all-day singings stands in front of a pavilion. A small graveyard is out back on the other side, beyond the fellowship hall.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Southern Baptist leaders, in an effort led by Lifeway Christian Resources, have released a new statement intended to help guide pastors and ministers in the application of AI.

The faith of Generation Z frequently draws them to church on Sunday but often fails to shape their lives during the week.

ORLANDO, Fla. — During the week before the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, a group of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary students and faculty collaborated with other seminaries and local churches to share the gospel during the convention’s Crossover event in Orlando.