Pastor W. Seth Martin sat on guard in his front room until 3 a.m. on May 29 in case rioters approached his home, which is located just a block from where George Floyd was detained by police and died. “I would, prayerfully, if it was outside, I would petition and seek the peace for my […]
Offering a “voice of healing in the name of Jesus Christ,” Mississippi Baptists asked the Legislature June 23 to replace the state flag with a design that does not include the Confederate flag. National racial tension and discussions regarding the flag in recent days prompted the move, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board Executive Director and Treasurer […]
The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee elected its first African-American chair in a special called meeting June 16. Rolland Slade, pastor of Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon, Calif., was unopposed as EC chair and was unanimously elected by ballot vote. Outgoing chair Mike Stone called for a ballot vote, he said, to mark the […]
Amid unprecedented challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as racial unrest and tumult after the recent death of an African-American man in police custody, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee offered a healing balm June 2 with SBC Advance. The two-hour online event was not intended to replace the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting […]
A group described as “grassroots” Southern Baptists has announced the formation of the Conservative Baptist Network. Group spokesperson Brad Jurkovich, pastor of First Baptist Church of Bossier City, La., told Baptist Press the group was launched to address concerns about the direction of the SBC. “There’s lots of people involved with the network, and that’s […]
Pastors shared hope and faith in the midst of death and destruction early Tuesday (March 3) just after a series of tornadoes tore through middle Tennessee, killing at least 22 and heavily damaging businesses, homes and at least two Southern Baptist churches. An elderly couple who were longtime members of First Baptist Church of Mount […]
As the global coronavirus crisis nears pandemic status, the International Mission Board announced Feb. 28 a coronavirus task force to address implications for IMB personnel and partners, including church volunteer mission teams. “We recognize the concern that coronavirus is causing, and we are grateful for individuals and churches who are praying for IMB personnel and […]
Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Ronnie Floyd will propose at the February EC meeting revisions to the EC mission and ministries statement including a new prayer ministry, he announced Thursday, Jan. 30. “Updating the language of the SBC Executive Committee’s ministry assignments and the explanation of them is important as we seek to better […]
Sociology professor, researcher and author George Yancey always steps back when he knocks on a door. A 6-foot-3-inch African-American, he says his appearance strikes societal fear. Seminary assistant dean and director Missie Branch says she also encounters difficulties because she is an African-American woman. She says she’s either overlooked or viewed through stereotypes, “which results […]
Let someone walk into Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church with a backpack and Polly Sheppard relives June 17, 2015. That’s when white supremacist Dylann Roof walked in. “Only in that church. Other churches I can sit and be calm,” Sheppard told Baptist Press in advance of the documentary film “Emanuel.” “But when I go to […]