David Beasley was in a World Food Programme meeting in Niger, West Africa, when a team member came in and simply said “the Nobel Peace Prize.” “Wow, who got it?” Beasley asked. “We did,” the staffer replied. “Oh, my goodness,” the stunned executive director of the World Food Programme said, adding an enlivened “Wow.” Beasley, […]
Paper’s sexual abuse report leaves SBC’s Greear ‘broken’
A Houston newspaper, in reporting on instances of sexual abuse by pastors and others at Southern Baptist churches, has left SBC President J.D. Greear “broken over what was revealed today.” “The abuses described in this @HoustonChron article are pure evil,” Greear stated in a series of tweets after the Houston Chronicle reported today (Feb. 10) […]
Evangelist Rick Stanley, stepbrother to Elvis, dies
Stanley was serving on staff at a Southern Baptist church in Aiken County Rick Stanley, a stepbrother to Elvis Presley who turned to Christ two months after Presley’s death in 1977 and, as an evangelist, spoke at Billy Graham-sponsored events and in a multitude of other settings, died Saturday evening, Jan. 5, in Aiken, S.C. […]
IMB’s Platt initiates sexual abuse investigations
Two “thorough, outside, independent” investigations have been initiated by International Mission Board president David Platt into the IMB’s handling of any past sexual abuse allegations and into its policies of zero tolerance for such abuse. Platt also stated a public apology to Anne Marie Miller, who has alleged sexual abuse by an individual who subsequently […]
Jimmy Draper named Executive Committee ambassador
Jimmy Draper, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and president emeritus of LifeWay Christian Resources, has been named “EC Ambassador” by D. August Boto, interim president of the SBC Executive Committee. Draper, who has maintained an active speaking schedule since retiring from LifeWay in 2006, is “someone for whom no introduction or explanation need […]
EC’s Frank Page resigns over ‘personal failing’
Frank S. Page has resigned as president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, effective today (March 27) over what is described as “a morally inappropriate relationship in the recent past.” Florida pastor Stephen Rummage, chairman of the Executive Committee, released a 300-word statement Tuesday afternoon (March 27) in behalf of […]
Billy Graham’s impact praised by Baptist leaders
Few men could spark the outpouring of respect and gratitude as Billy Graham upon his death Feb. 21 at age 99. Among Southern Baptists — among whom Graham counted himself — a range of leaders underscored the broad scope of the famed evangelist’s influence. Steve Gaines, president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of […]
Moore, ERLC trustees issue ‘Seeking Unity’ statement
An extended statement, “Seeking Unity in the Southern Baptist Convention,” has been issued by Russell Moore and the executive committee of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Moore, in a 1,691-word portion of the March 20 statement, clarified criticism he had leveled at Christians who supported Donald Trump for president in the November 2016 election. […]
Alcohol use reignites issue among Baptists
Alcohol consumption has jumped back into Baptist discussions, this time stirred by the termination of a high-profile pastor. Perry Noble’s removal as senior pastor of the multi-campus NewSpring Church in South Carolina was communicated to members and attendees during Sunday worship services, July 10. “Perry’s posture towards his marriage, increased reliance on alcohol and other […]
Thom Tapp, ‘Covered Dish’ cartoonist, dies
Thomas “Thom” Tapp, one of Baptist Press’ featured cartoonists for 15 years, died June 11 in Kingston, Tenn. Tapp, a pastor who drew and penned the “Church of the Covered Dish,” died of liver cancer at age 65. His Church of the Covered Dish led by pastor “Eli Chortlesnort” first appeared in 1997 in the […]