AUGUSTA, Maine — When Central Church decided to minister to youth in Augusta, the capital of Maine, during the winter school break, they chose what some would consider an unconventional approach. They chose to teach Isshin-ryū, a martial arts practice that is not inherently Buddhist, but some of its traditions are influenced by Japanese Buddhism. 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College celebrated the graduation of 298 students during the 77th commencement exercises on Friday, May 2.

FORT WORTH, Texas  — Graduates of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College were challenged to minister in light of the fact that enthroned Jesus is “reigning over the universe” and their own lives and ministries during the spring commencement address Friday, May 2, by Richard Ross (’74, ’80), senior professor of student ministry and two-time alumnus.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Starting fall 2025, Spurgeon College students will have the opportunity to pursue three new pathways to a degree in Christian Education.

BEIJING (BP) – The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) enacted new restrictions on foreign missionaries there on Thursday, May 1, preventing them from preaching, evangelizing and establishing various religious organizations among other activities without official government approval.

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — “I’ve always looked at the book of Proverbs as a rule book,” Gina Caithamer mused during a break at Lifeway’s In the Word event, Friday and Saturday, April 25-26. “If you follow these, you’re going to live a pretty good life.”

Limestone University, a 180-year-old Christian liberal arts college in Gaffney, South Carolina, has announced it’s closing its doors — both on-campus and online programs. The university will officially close at the end of the semester.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Midwestern Seminary hosted the fourth annual Spurgeon Library Conference on Tuesday, April 29, welcoming pastors, Spurgeon scholars, and seminary students to be encouraged by the ministry of Charles H. Spurgeon.

NEW ORLEANS — The Caskey Center at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary hosted their annual pastors' conference last Friday and Saturday, April 25-26, featuring guest speakers Jeff Iorg, President and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, and Sam Greer, senior pastor of Red Bank Baptist Church (Tenn.).  

CUMMING, Ga. — What began as a simple coat drive for Hurricane Helene victims has grown into a long-term mission of love, led by Haw Creek Baptist Church, other Hightower Baptist Association congregations, and Christian ministries across northeast Georgia.

ROME, Ga. — Shorter University’s School of Education celebrated its future educators at the annual Teacher Candidate Celebration on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Fellowship Baptist Church. The special evening honored teacher candidates completing their preparation programs and marked the transition into their professional careers.

COLUMBIA, Tenn. — In today’s church culture, senior adults can almost be classified as an unreached people group. Not in the traditional sense of the phrase, but rather in the sense that many churches tend to aim their music, message, and ministries toward young adults and young families. 

NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptist Theological Seminary received a mention on the "Jeopardy! Masters" episode on Wednesday, April 30, in a manner that gave a nod to the school’s devotion to biblical fidelity.

When Jesus died, it would have been more than mere mortals could wrap their minds around. Men and women from all walks of life had heard Him. They believed Him and in Him. They felt His love, saw it in action. He changed their lives, and they followed Him. In John 8:12, He told them, “I am the light of the world.” They soaked up that light.

I was watching a popular singing show the other night. One of the girls was singing a Christian song, and the host asked her what drew her to this song. She answered that it was the first line of the song, which says, "You're shattered like you have never been before, the life you knew in a thousand pieces on the floor."

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—“Luke in the Land” and the “CSB Oswald Chambers Bible” received the 2025 Christian Book Award in their respective categories during the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Celebration Dinner on April 29 in Nashville.

MARTINEZ, Ga. — Catherine Renfro challenged women to live with “expectant faith,” Friday, April 25, at Georgia Baptist Women’s 2025 Spring Event at Abilene Baptist Church. Saturday’s message from Elizabeth Woodson focused on the theme of enduring faithfully through difficult seasons by trusting in God’s presence, promises, and purpose.

MARTINEZ, Ga. — Some 600 women came together at the Georgia Baptist Women's 2025 Spring Event in Martinez for two days of encouragement, fellowship, and teaching, kicking off with a Mission Georgia service project on Friday.

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (KT) — A Kentucky Baptist pastor has penned a question-and-answer book about the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 to encourage other pastors and teach church members more about its contents.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Midwestern Seminary recently marked a season of transition and celebration, recognizing decades of faithful service from two beloved faculty members while welcoming a new leader to carry forward the mission of theological education for the Spanish-speaking world.

As a new church planter, Derrick Taylor found himself wrestling with how to acknowledge his leadership role at Net Community Church in Staunton, Illinois, while still serving in his long-time role as a state trooper. “As I started the planting process, I consistently battled with the phrase, ‘I’m not a pastor; I’m a police officer,’” said Taylor, who had served 12 years with the Illinois State Police when he first sensed a call to ministry.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Energy infused the worship center of West Edgecomb Baptist Church in Rocky Mount as the digital timer on the screen at front counted down the minutes. The congregation had reason to celebrate on Sunday, April 27.

ATLANTA — The Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) building at Georgia Tech, a longtime hub for student ministry, will soon be replaced by a new five-story, mixed-use development aimed at expanding both housing and ministry opportunities.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief teams are mobilizing to Kentucky to help flood-stricken communities recover after historic rains pushed rivers to near-record levels and inundated hundreds of homes across the state.

CHATHAM, Ill. — When an SUV drove through the site of an afterschool program Monday afternoon in Chatham, killing three children and a teen, the church across the street stepped up to minister to families. The vehicle plowed through a fence, then through the building, at the Youth Needing Other Things Outdoor Kids Camp.