Every year, the U.S. government’s TIP (Trafficking in Persons) office releases their annual report highlighting the state of modern slavery around the world. Each country receives an assessment based on its efforts to end human trafficking within its borders.

DALLAS, Texas — More than 60 pastoral wellness leaders from across the Southern Baptist Convention — representing the four historic boards and all six seminaries of the SBC, along with many local associations and state conventions — gathered at GuideStone to collaborate on identifying and finding solutions to pastors’ top challenges and well-being needs.

PADUCAH, Ky. (KT) — After almost six years from the time its sanctuary was destroyed by a tornado, Mt. Zion Baptist Church moved into a rebuilt sanctuary on Jan. 19, 2025. Pastor Jason Medley said there were numerous times that God providentially worked to make the rebuilding occur, but the highlight was not construction-related.

ATLANTA — Georgia Baptist pastors and ministry leaders gathered at the state Capitol on Thursday for a time of prayer, encouragement, and education.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 39 new full-time, fully funded missionaries and unanimously elected the next vice president of global engagement during their meeting Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 4-5, in Charleston. Trustees met in conjunction with a Sending Celebration for new appointees hosted by First Baptist Church, Charleston.

At age 78, Miss Gay has thrown caution to the wind. She tried her very first Pop Tart last week - and loved it. “I ate the whole thing!” she exclaimed.

DANVILLE, Ky. (BP) — Signs emerge when a church is in trouble. Memberships and baptisms dip. The sounds of youth and children barely, if ever, echo through the halls. Building maintenance is deferred for longer periods of time. 

Well, the flu bug has hit our household these past few weeks. So far, three of the four granddaughters have had it, along with my daughter. I'm praying that our oldest granddaughter, Wayne, and I will be able to avoid catching it. The flu hit sweet Liza the worst. She hardly moved from the sofa for about seven or eight days.

LEBANON, Mo. — Roger Sherrer was looking for his package.  A parcel company carrying an order for some sports memorabilia had not shown up on the expected delivery date.  It was to have been delivered to the church office at First Baptist Church in Lebanon, where Sherrer is one of the pastors.  But instead, the package accidentally went to a family in a town about 70 miles away. 

PHILADELPHIA (BRN) – Located just three blocks from the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, members of Proclamation Community Church are feeling the weight and impact of a devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of seven individuals, including an 11-year-old pediatric patient and her mother, when it crashed just three miles away from the airport along Cottman Avenue on Jan. 31, just after 6 p.m.  

ORLANDO (BP) – Lucy Pat Curl, the wife of a leader in First Baptist Church’s Pastoral Care ministry, remains in a coma four days after she was attacked in her home.

BUFORD, Ga. — The Pastor Wellness ministry of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board welcomed the wives of more than 230 ministry leaders to Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge in Buford last month for a retreat designed specifically to cater to their needs. The ladies gathered on Jan. 23-25 to be renewed and fed spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

MARTINEZ, Ga. — Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez will host this year’s Georgia Baptist Women’s Spring Event, and registration is now open. The two-day event will take place April 25-26.

New neighbors moved in across the street from another couple, and the wife started watching this new pair. Every evening, she looked out the window and noticed the husband arrive home after work. She couldn’t miss the fact that nearly every night, this man would bring home flowers or a little gift for his lady.

Half full or half empty? It has been debated for years and centers around a drinking glass containing water. Some say how you answer that question says a lot about your personality, demeanor, and even how you view life. Are you an optimist, realist, or pessimist? The answer could lie in how you see water in a glass.

God possesses many attributes or characteristics. Perhaps the dominant divine attribute mentioned in Scripture is God’s holiness. Because of our sin, we are separated and have a broken relationship with our Creator.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – After five years serving as president of Send Relief, Bryant Wright is set to retire at the end of March.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Nearly 800 youth ministers and spouses from 21 different states attended this year’s three-day Conclave conference in Chattanooga last month.

PERRY, Fla. — It was supposed to be a regular Wednesday night service that included a short business meeting at New Home Baptist Church in Perry, but when the testimonies ran long that night, followed by an extended prayer time around the altar, Pastor Dustin Logan could sense God was doing a work within the lives of those gathered.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary faculty noted the importance of discipleship as a lifelong journey and the role of biblical counseling in addressing life challenges in a panel discussion held during the seminary’s chapel service Thursday, Jan. 30.

Jim Shaddix, senior professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., died Feb. 1 after a battle with cancer. He was 64 years old.

CULLODEN, Ga. — Sounds of praise are echoing again from the former Culloden Baptist Church on Church Street in Culloden. Renamed New Providence Baptist Church of Culloden, the 100-year-old church has reopened and held its first service Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) — The family of a faculty member at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary averted a tragedy last weekend, and the providence of God is credited in protecting the five family members and their home.

DALLAS, Texas — Poiema Foundation, a Dallas-area organization focused on human trafficking prevention and survivor care, has been working to educate the public on human trafficking, engage communities, and empower survivors through the work of their safe house since 2012.

MILTON, Fla. — For many in northwest Florida, the anticipation of snow was a whimsical delight and a thrilling opportunity to stay home from school and work, build snowmen, and sled down hills, something many never imagined they would do in their own neighborhoods. But for the homeless and those without heat in their homes, the threat of below-freezing temperatures and snowfall was chilling.