Christine Hoover said when she embarked on her ministry as a pastor’s wife that she “was so young and didn’t know what I was doing at all.” “I definitely had examples, but I desired a lot more help — for people who had been there to say, ‘Here’s what I’ve learned along the way, the […]
SEBTS begins removing name associations with Hunt, Patterson
In a letter issued May 25, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Danny Akin informed students that a process has begun to disassociate the campus from Johnny Hunt and Paige Patterson regarding buildings, programs, facilities “and other items.” Hunt, an SEBTS graduate and longtime pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., has his name associated […]
Southern Baptist church plants increase for second consecutive year
Southern Baptists added 1,018 new congregations in 2021 — 735 church plants, 201 affiliations and 82 new campuses. This represents a 25 percent increase in church plants and a 19 percent increase in congregations overall. Of the 735 church plants, 135 were replants, which the North American Mission Board has traditionally counted. “We celebrate every […]

Disaster Relief experiences more than 2,100 salvations in 2021
More than 2,100 professions of faith came as a result of the ministry of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) in 2021, which is nearly a record number for professions of faith in a single year for the ministry. The full total of 2,133 professions of faith is just one of the positive statistics from SBDR. […]
Crossover, Serve Tour provide opportunity for gospel impact in Anaheim
The North American Mission Board, in cooperation with California Baptists, will provide avenues for Southern Baptists to share the gospel in Anaheim, Calif., ahead of the 2022 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in June through a Crossover Serve Tour event. “Southern Baptists have an opportunity to do what we do best in Anaheim by serving […]

Southern Baptist church plants increase for second consecutive year
Cliff McCray was playing football at the University of Central Florida in 2007 when one of his teammates tragically passed away. Through the tragedy, God led McCray to faith and kickstarted a journey that led to full-time ministry and church planting. “I got saved in a college ministry on UCF’s campus,” McCray said of his […]
Soto leading Monaghan en Español to reach Hispanic community
By some estimates, the Hispanic population of South Carolina could grow by 100,000 or more in the next decade. Greenville Baptist Association, which now has 10 Hispanic congregations scattered throughout the county, is among the associations across the state preparing for the rapid growth by starting more churches. Erwin Soto, pastor of Monaghan en Español, […]
Annie Armstrong Offering resources available online
The Week of Prayer for North American Missions will be observed in Southern Baptist churches March 6-13 with the theme “United.” The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering is the primary funding engine for sending and supporting missionaries in North America. Across the United States, its territories and Canada, millions have heard the gospel because Southern Baptists […]

Baptist Press: Most Significant Stories of 2021
After a tumultuous 2020, many were hoping for a calmer 2021. But this past year was anything but calm. We had some great news: numerous baptisms and record giving. And we had bad news, like major disasters and an ongoing pandemic. All of it made for some big, and sometimes unexpected, news. Here are some […]

Browning: From Barnwell to Los Angeles
For Barnwell native Will Browning, the relocation of him and his family to Los Angeles, Calif., is more than just a move — it is like moving to another country. Browning grew up working on the family farm, moved to Statesboro, Ga., to attend Georgia Southern University, and met his future wife, Tarah, from Miami, […]