The Southern Baptist Convention messengers arriving in Memphis in May 1925 came with a sense of urgency. The entire nation had been caught off guard, two weeks earlier, when it was announced that a trial challenging a Tennessee law against teaching evolution in the public schools had been set for July. The so-called “Scopes Monkey Trial” would pit science against religion in the courts of law and public opinion.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Georgia Baptists will have six opportunities this fall to take part in the SPARK 2025 church-strengthening conferences, with events scheduled across the state and registration now officially open. Building on last year’s success—more than 3,600 participants representing 385 churches—SPARK continues to expand its reach, momentum, and ministry impact.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — In 2023, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee assembled a small team to help prepare for the centennial anniversary of the Cooperative Program in 2025. Tony Wolfe, executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, was part of that team and suggested commissioning a book as part of the celebration.

NEW ORLEANS — Jamie Dew, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College, reminded more than 250 graduates of the essential elements of ministry service during the institution’s spring graduation ceremonies Friday, May 16.  

When David stepped out in the Valley of Elah that day, he wasn’t afraid.

CAIRO, Ga. — Keith Stewart has been called to serve as Grady County Baptist Association’s Associational Missionary Strategist. His first day was April 1, 2025. 

When Peter and Tina Kim arrived in São Paulo, Brazil, they felt right at home. The new International Mission Board missionaries expected a lot of culture shock with their move from Rockville, Maryland, to South America. Instead, the biggest city in the southern hemisphere felt like moving to an urban area in the United States.

Over the past five years, the religious makeup of the United States has remained remarkably stable, according to Gallup.

LONDON, Ky. (KT) — A path of downed trees in rural Laurel County signaled where a deadly tornado likely began a path of destruction last Friday night. 

Kay Arthur, a Christian author and co-founder of Precept Ministries International, passed away on May 19, 2025, at the age of 91. Her death marks the end of an era for the countless individuals she influenced through her teachings and writings.

Georgia Baptists attending the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting this June are invited to a special evening of fellowship, celebration, and encouragement at the 2025 Georgia Baptist Fellowship.

WAKE FOREST, N.C. — Southeastern Seminary and Judson College are pleased to announce Kelly King as part-time assistant professor of Christian ministry. Prior to this new position, King has served for the past year at Southeastern as a visiting professor of Christian ministry.

CUMMING, Ga. — First Redeemer Church invites the community to celebrate the opening of its new Center for Biblical Worldview and adjacent Facility for Preschoolers on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM.

I believe that our country is more divided now than at any point in its history. I know that is debatable, but it seems we Americans are at war with each other over many things. The most significant division point in the last several years has been politics.

In our cultural experience, we have many issues about which we need encouragement, such as the economy or personal family issues. But for the most part in America, we do not experience persecution as Peter’s readers did. Peter encouraged persecuted believers with a message of hope in the context of ridicule by scoffers.

ROCHESTER, Minn. – Trey Turner, pastor of Church at Wazeecha, which he and his wife Lea Ann planted 16 years ago, will become the next executive director of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention on June 1, 2025.

SNELLVILLE, Ga. — As a prelude to the Commencement Ceremony of Luther Rice College and Seminary, the school hosted a banquet for graduates, their families, and friends.                                        

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Just weeks after returning from a month-long flood recovery deployment in Kentucky, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief (GBDR) teams are once again preparing to serve the Bluegrass State — this time in response to a deadly tornado outbreak that claimed at least 27 lives and left widespread destruction across southeastern Kentucky.

ROME, Ga. — Shorter University is pleased to announce that President Dr. Don Dowless has been appointed to the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) by Governor Brian Kemp. Dr. Dowless was officially sworn in on Monday, April 28, during a ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol. He will represent Exempt Institutions on the Commission.

MOUNT VERNON, Ga. — Brewton-Parker College proudly dedicated the historic campus arch on May 3, 2025, in honor of Don and Beverly Thigpen, beloved alumni whose enduring love story and lifelong dedication have left a profound impact on the college and the surrounding community.

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (KT) – A Kentucky Baptist pastor had a memorable “last hurrah” in the U.S. Army. Brigade chaplain, Maj. Tyler Shields, the senior pastor at First Baptist Barbourville, baptized nine soldiers in the North Atlantic Ocean during the annual training TREADEWINDS 25 in Trinidad and Tobago in his last assignment in the Army National Guard.

WAKE FOREST, N.C. — On Friday, May 16, Southeastern Seminary and Judson College celebrated their spring commencement exercises and the graduation of 220 graduates, representing 28 states and nine countries.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has announced the appointment of J. Kyle Brosseau as Assistant Professor of Christian Missions and World Religions. This new addition to the faculty reinforces the seminary’s ongoing commitment to equipping students for global gospel engagement.

LONDON, Ky. (KT) – Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief assessors were on the ground Sunday to determine needs after severe thunderstorms and tornadoes ripped through southeastern Kentucky late Friday night.

Baptists seldom go through the effort of preparing a confession of faith unless pressured or prodded, which may explain why the SBC waited 80 years to adopt one. In the mid-19th century, pressure began mounting which developed into what became known as the Modernist Fundamentalist Controversy in the early 20th century.