Scott Barkley

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Increasing Needs from Hurricanes Match Calls for More Disaster Relief Volunteers

Hurricane Katrina’s destruction in 2005 to New Orleans and surrounding areas prompted a yearslong response by Southern Baptist churches and Disaster Relief personnel, with volunteer recruitment for the latter spiking up to 80,000. Coy Webb, director for Send Relief... Continue Reading »

Fastest-growing Southern Baptist congregation seeks to be ‘church of disciple-makers’

First Baptist Church was far from needing extensive revitalization when Wayne Bray arrived as pastor in 2015. But there had been a drip-drip of decline in the preceding years. The small-town church that had grown to 2,300 people in... Continue Reading »

Trustees Affirm Leatherwood, ERLC Staff Toward ‘Greater Sense of Understanding’

Ethics & Religious Liberty trustees issued a statement Sept. 10 affirming the “good work” of President Brent Leatherwood and his staff in a step “to acknowledge and address concerns and to create a greater sense of understanding, unity and... Continue Reading »

EC Votes to Create Department Dedicated to Ongoing Sexual Abuse Response

Trustees for the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee approved Sept. 17 a recommendation to create a department within the EC to assist churches in the area of sexual abuse prevention and response. Messengers voted at the 2024 SBC Annual... Continue Reading »

‘Cost’ is actually an opportunity, says S.C. pastor of families helping plant overseas churches

There is a sense of loss when people leave a church. There are also times when that loss is coupled with celebration. Christ Fellowship Church Cherrydale in Greenville, S.C., began 15 years ago, sent out by another young church,... Continue Reading »

In their prayer orbit: Texas church stays in touch with members aboard the ISS

Providence Baptist Church has an elder making a mockery of the term “remote work.” Over the last several months, Barry Wilmore has proven that long distances shouldn’t keep one from being an active church member. And we’re talking looooong... Continue Reading »

Reports indicate increased cost of ministry, from homes to hires

Reports showing sustained increases in food and home prices alongside a cooling labor market highlight a continuing challenge for churches. That information impacts everything from attaining goods for ministries like food pantries to hiring new staff. Inflation sits in... Continue Reading »

Churches responding after deadly Georgia school shooting

Area churches canceled or altered normal Wednesday activities on Sept. 4 after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., left four dead and nine others taken to area hospitals with injuries. In a press conference, Georgia Bureau... Continue Reading »

Perseid meteor shower gives Christians the chance to see God’s handiwork, says meteorologist

Late nights are part of the job for Chris Holcomb, chief meteorologist for 11Alive News. He typically doesn’t get home until after midnight following the 11 p.m. broadcast and, with his mind still active, needs a way to wind... Continue Reading »

Disaster Relief responds to Debby, prepares for flooding

Damage from now-Tropical Storm Debby will be assessed after its passage for a more comprehensive response, Disaster Relief leaders announced today (Aug. 6). Florida Baptist Disaster Relief workers are now on active status, the Florida Baptist Witness reported earlier... Continue Reading »

‘Kenny & Claire’ first full album urges listeners to stay grounded

Times of anxiety will come. People will look for foundational truths and those things that have endured, consistently proven to withstand whatever challenges come in the modern day. A scan across headlines shows it to be such a time.... Continue Reading »

Nominees released for 2024 Dove Awards

Brandon Lake leads the slate of nominees for the 2024 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards with 16 nominations, including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and writing credits on four of the 10 songs nominated for Song... Continue Reading »