Reflecting on God’s faithfulness may lead to a stronger commitment in our lives to be faithful to God and share the good news of God’s salvific plan.

CORDOVA, Tenn. — The congregation of Bellevue Baptist Church officially voted to extend the call for Ben Mandrell, CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, to be the church’s eighth senior pastor. Mandrell, 48, will fill the role left by Steve Gaines.

Twenty years ago, Judd and Debbie McKinnon* packed 26 suitcases — two of which were filled with LEGOs — and brought their 12- and 10-year-old children to make themselves at home in Central Asia. The McKinnons are missionaries with the International Mission Board who have lived in the same city their entire career, a rare blessing for missionaries.

Tables are set up in a public area of the large European city where John Everett is serving as a Journeyman for the International Mission Board. He and his friends place Bibles and Christian literature on the tables, as well as coffee and tea, to offer to passersby. Regularly, he has opportunities to use his missionary training and practice.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (KT) – Two women were killed and three others, including a Kentucky State Police trooper, were injured Sunday in a pair of related shootings involving a single suspect at Blue Grass Airport and a Lexington church.

Two things can be true at the same time. I never intended to become a fire chaplain. “It was never on my Bingo card,” as they say. For me, it came along with the job. I was going to be the pastor of the area church, so I became the chaplain for the volunteer fire department at the end of the street.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Many churches have begun using background checks to help prevent abuse, but fewer are trained in reporting potential abuse. Lifeway Christian Resources and Clear Investigative Advantage hope to help congregations do both.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – During Send Relief’s presentation to the Southern Baptist Convention last month, Paul Chitwood and Kevin Ezell highlighted Global Hunger Sunday, which will take place on August 24 this year.

HENDERSON, Ky. (KT) — Kody Fox underwent a successful kidney transplant in June — and in the process saw God’s providential care in a multitude of ways. Fox, 31, student pastor at Zion Baptist Church in Henderson, saw God’s provision not only in his life, but in the life of another family.

In the heart of Lima, Peru, a church plant blossomed in the backyard of a home in the community of Magdalena. Initially, the congregation was small, but a turning point came when the church hosted a medical clinic for residents. This act of kindness and compassion brought about a significant transformation.

OAKBORO, N.C. — In some ways, the worship service at Red Cross Baptist Church on the first Sunday in July was like any other with singing, praying, and preaching. But in other ways, it was much different. The curtains to the baptistry were closed, some furniture was missing, and a little more natural light than usual shone into the sanctuary from windows marked by broken glass.

When the Bible says the word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12), it’s not just a churchy saying. It’s legit. To me, that means though it was written thousands of years ago, God’s Word is relevant, applying to right here and now.

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.

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.

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.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — When it comes to collecting offerings, most churches pass a plate, but they may also have a basket waiting for you as you walk out the door.

CORDOVA, Tenn. — The pastor search committee at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova has unanimously recommended that Ben Mandrell, CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, become the church’s next senior pastor. Mandrell will preach in view of a call on July 13. The congregation will vote on the committee’s choice after a 10 a.m. service. 

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.

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.

KERRVILLE, Texas (BP) – On most days, it’s easy to see why families have flocked to this area for generations. The typically low, tranquil Guadalupe River backdrops activities like swimming, fishing, tubing, and kayaking. The hills bring winding roads loved by motorcyclists and trails popular with hikers.   

David Englehart, the campus director of New Mexico State University’s Christian Challenge, was moved with emotion as he recalled a quiet, but stunning moment in his life some 30 years earlier during a trip to Central Asia.  

David encountered many difficult circumstances throughout his life. Psalm 18 — the fourth longest psalm in the Book of Psalms — expresses David’s praise for God repeatedly delivering him from his enemies.

While in my third year of college, my girlfriend (now my wife), Amy, and I were driving to the campus when we were forced to take an alternate route due to a car crash. While waiting to make a turn off the highway onto a small county road, Amy screamed. I had just enough time to look in my rearview mirror and see a red sports car slamming on its brakes and smoke billowing from its tires.