Even when we can’t feel it, God is working.  Even when we can’t see it, God has a plan. Those truths are obvious when you look at the x-ray of a child’s tooth. The baby tooth is easy to see, but just above or below it in the x-ray —depending on the location — you can clearly see the permanent one that is waiting for just the right time to make its appearance. 

The Thanksgiving season provides time for people to reflect on their need to express gratitude, and, for many Christians, that means reflecting on God’s blessings. According to Lifeway Research, 67% of Americans say they give thanks to God at Thanksgiving, nearly even with family (68%). Scripture readers seem to prefer to spend more time in the Psalms during the last two weeks of November than any other book of the Bible, according to statistics from YouVersion‘s popular Bible app.

George Washington Truett’s (1867-1944) unusual call to the ministry came during a church conference (business meeting) at a small-town church in Whitewright, Texas. If a call to ministry received during a church conference was not unusual enough, the only one who raised an objection was the ministerial candidate. Yet, God affirmed a call to ministry that the church recognized even if Truett himself, at the time, did not.

HAMILTON, Ala. — What happens when the pastor brings his homework to church? What if that homework assignment involves evangelism? Shane Stidham, pastor of Fulton Bridge Baptist Church, Hamilton, Alabama, knew that his first reading assignment as a Leavell College student and a Caskey Center scholarship recipient was something his church members needed to hear, as well.

Have you ever felt sorry for a holiday? I doubt Labor Day or Presidents Day is high on your list of special days that require much attention or planning. There are no cards or gifts exchanged on those days, and they largely go unnoticed. Unfortunately, it seems that over the last few years Thanksgiving Day is on the list of special days that have lost their luster.

The empty tomb is the only evidence for the resurrection that the disciples of Jesus as well as the Jewish and Roman authorities could agree on. Jesus’ empty tomb attests to His resurrection. Jesus was crucified during the time of the sacrifices for the Jewish Passover. The beginning of a new day does not follow our reckoning of time.

NEW ORLEANS — One man’s determination 70 years ago to bless others continues to bless some New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary families today at Thanksgiving when a food basket arrives at their door. “It’s not just about bringing groceries. It’s about bringing encouragement,” said Dorothy, daughter of Albert Graythen, the man who decided long ago to share the blessings God had given him.

DALTON, Ga. — In support of Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, a congregation of around 200 people in Dalton, Ga., has packed 6,169 shoeboxes that will be shipped around the world. Welcome Hill Baptist Church, part of the Conasauga Baptist Association, works throughout the year purchasing supplies from auctions and sales.  Then on a Saturday morning, they gather in their Multi-Ministry Building and form assembly lines packing the shoeboxes.

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — First Baptist Blairsville in Union County, Georgia celebrates the retirement of Jackie Hill, having served 51 years as Church Pianist. Jackie grew up in the small, rural town of Blairsville in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Her home of yesteryear was a place where everyone knew everyone.   The unpaved roads were not named and referred to by the name of whoever lived on them. 

CORDOVA, Tenn. — Former Southern Baptist Convention president and Tennessee Baptist pastor Steve Gaines announced to his congregation at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova on Sunday that he has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Gaines has served as pastor of the Memphis-area church since 2005. Gaines said that he has “a great team of doctors in Memphis who are treating me.” He added that he plans to go to M.D. Anderson in Houston to consult with their physicians.

FUNSTON, Ga. — Little is much when God is in it. That seems to be the message of the feeding of the five thousand in John 6: 1-14; and it is not unusual for the Lord to bless and multiply the gifts and opportunities of those who serve Him faithfully today.

SNELLVILLE, Ga. — The Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting added a new feature to the programming at the recent gathering at Snellville’s Church on Main. Six different forums provided helpful information on a stage adjacent to the display area. The "second stage" panels proved to be so popular, the mission board will continue the practice next year.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Like most boys at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 6-year-old Ethan Gee wanted to win the penny war against the girls. “Like really, really, really bad,” he agonized. “The girls always win.”

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A diverse class of more than 200 church planters representing seven languages, 30 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces attended Send Network Orientation earlier this month at the North American Mission Board. These new missionaries recently completed Send Network’s assessment process to become church planters and were sent by 160 churches.

NEW OREANS — When Shane and Jessica Booker first considered planting a church in New Orleans, they knew that this unique city would require a creative approach to sustainable church planting. Poverty, a painful history and spiritual brokenness make church planting in the city challenging. “Building relationships is the only way to break through the pain and brokenness,” says Shane.

In Ukraine, Oleh and Marianna weren’t permitted to lead ministry to the Deaf because they are Deaf. Missions tugged at their hearts, but due to cultural norms, it wasn’t a possibility until recently. Like many of their countrymen, Oleh and Marianna fled because of the war. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The board of trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee met in a special-called online executive session Thursday afternoon to hear updates and discuss legal strategy, according to board chair Philip Robertson.

Here are some tips for Thanksgiving. Be thankful. Thanksgiving season is a good time to say thanks but we need to make it a lifestyle.  An attitude of thanksgiving is a good way to live. When you are daily thankful for your food, shelter, and the simplest things it elevates your sense of well-being.

THOMSON, Ga. — Some have been miserable for days because of aching teeth. Others have cavities in need of immediate attention. But Ron Belcher is convinced the people gathered for appointments at a mobile dental clinic parked outside Washington Heights Baptist Church have an even greater need, a spiritual need. So the deacon tells them about Jesus as they wait their turns with one of the volunteer dentists who help to care for Georgia’s 1.3 million uninsured residents.

TAMPA, Fla. — When Patrick and Kathryn Thompson arrived to plant a church in New York City with their two kids, the reality that they were already doing cross-cultural missions set in. Patrick walked into a grocery store, glanced at the outrageous price of eggs, and immediately knew his grocery bill was going to triple. Kathryn remembers walking windy, icy streets in the winter because they sold their cars when they left Georgia.

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – What does God’s faithfulness have to do with your leadership? At Lifeway Women’s Leadership Forum, women studied God’s faithfulness and examined how it transforms their leadership in ministry, the workplace and their homes.

ROCK SPRINGS, Ga. – Confetti is no longer limited to sports championships, weddings and New Year's Eve celebrations. Peavine Baptist Church in Rock Springs recently celebrated the 300th baptism of the year by launching a deluge of confetti in the sanctuary. Joel Southerland, lead pastor at Peavine, has a history of emphasizing the absolute importance of reaching the lost. He has been a successful pastor and has led evangelistic initiatives for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and the North American Mission Board.

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the passing of my pastor, Dr. Adrian Rogers. As a seminary student at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and church member at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., under Dr. Adrian Rogers, I had the privilege of being in the presence of a remarkable man of faith and wisdom, one of the 20th Century's great leaders and preachers. His life was a shining example of what it means to be a dedicated servant of God. In my time with and around him, I learned invaluable lessons that continue to shape my Christian life and ministry.

Thanksgiving has been on my mind since it is quickly approaching. As a child, the kids' table at family functions is a great memory for me. My dad had four brothers and when we all got together at my grandparents for Thanksgiving there were 12 adults, counting my grandparents, and 11 children. 

FORT WORTH, Texas — Adorned with poinsettias, candelabras, garland, Christmas trees, and white Christmas lights, MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was transformed into the festive location for the School of Church Music and Worship’s Prelude to Christmas last Friday and Saturday.