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As Southern Baptists look toward Baptism Sunday on April 12, the last few years have been a cause for celebration. Baptisms increased four straight years from 2021 through 2024. “While a couple of those years were obviously rebound from... Continue Reading »
Steve Gaines, longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis and a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, died March 20 after a long battle with cancer. He was 68. Gaines served as pastor of Bellevue for more... Continue Reading »
The second legislative session of the South Carolina 126th General Assembly is out to improve its bill passing batting average. The 2025 session got bogged down with major pieces of legislation, consuming weeks of the calendar with sometimes contentious... Continue Reading »
It’s amazing how much noise a few quiet Buddhist monks can make when they walk through your town. I was having breakfast out in the country of Lexington County with my friend Chris, and we heard the monks were... Continue Reading »
I was 17 years old the summer before my high school senior year when Northside Baptist Church of Denham Springs, La., called me as their part-time music minister. My dad was a local pastor, and I had a solid... Continue Reading »
Each year, Southern Baptists gather for our annual meeting as stewards. We come as messengers from our churches, entrusted with a responsibility that stretches back nearly two centuries: cooperating together for the sake of the Great Commission. That cooperation... Continue Reading »
Have you ever been drawn into an infomercial or found yourself awed by the sales pitch of a social media influencer? Basically, someone you have never met before is telling you how miserable your life is without their product.... Continue Reading »
More than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries gathered in Milan, Italy, in February, where they spent two weeks competing for Olympic gold in sports like skiing, figure skating and ice hockey. Organizers anticipated more than 2 million spectators would... Continue Reading »
More than 80 South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are participating in a “spring break project” this week to assist homeowners in Spartanburg County, which has the highest number of residents still needing assistance with damages from Hurricane Helene.... Continue Reading »
It is with great sadness that the university announces the death of Rev. Jonathan “Jon” D. Davis, associate vice president for spiritual life, on March 9. Jon was diagnosed with multiform glioblastoma in 2021 and lived the last five... Continue Reading »
North Greenville University Provost and Dean of Faculty Hunter Baker will serve as chair of the Committee on Resolutions for the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting this summer. SBC President Clint Pressley made the announcement in a statement to Baptist... Continue Reading »
A group of Southern Baptist pastors and their spouses, including former Send Relief President Bryant Wright, sheltered in place in Jerusalem Saturday morning (Feb. 28) as the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Within hours, Iran... Continue Reading »
With the present war involving Iran, the United States and surrounding countries, a closer look at the history of Christianity in Iran may help place these events in context and guide believers in how to pray for Christians living... Continue Reading »
Florida pastor Ted Traylor announced March 3 his intention to nominate South Carolina pastor Wayne Bray to serve as president of the 2027 SBC Pastors’ Conference in Indianapolis. “It is with great joy I announce my intention to nominate... Continue Reading »
At least three South Carolina pastors and their wives were among Southern Baptists who were in Israel Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched a joint strike on Iran. Two of the couples (Wes and Rachel Church... Continue Reading »
“Thou shalt not gamble.” Okay, now that I have your attention, there is no 11th commandment prohibiting gambling. Gambling — whether it involves wagering on your favorite sports team, dropping coins in a slot machine, or scratching off lottery... Continue Reading »
A record 1,379 South Carolina Baptist pastors and leaders converged at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia under the theme “Called Out,” marking the beginning of a multi-year emphasis to raise up the next generation of pastors and church leaders.... Continue Reading »
Around a quarter of Americans don’t identify with any religion, but many still hold some religious perspectives. Lifeway Research surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. adults who are atheist, agnostic or have no stated religious preference to discover their perspective... Continue Reading »
“Clear your schedule. You’re going with me on hospital visitation today.” When I had only been a student pastor for a week, my senior pastor, Steve, took me to do a visit in the hospital for one of our... Continue Reading »
If I had a dollar for every time Vanessa said, “Tony, you’re overthinking this,” I could personally fund a couple of IMB missionaries for several years. It’s just in my nature to think about things — everything — way... Continue Reading »
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Denny Burk has announced plans to nominate Travis Kerns, a South Carolina associational mission strategist, for SBC Recording Secretary at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting. “Travis’ devoted service at various levels of Southern Baptist... Continue Reading »
Some 540 Southern Baptists serve as trustees among the Southern Baptist Convention’s 11 entities and the Executive Committee. They now have access to the first denomination-wide tool designed to resource them for that role. An SBC trustee training course... Continue Reading »
Wiley Drake, a self-proclaimed “champion of the little guy” known for his perennial presence at Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting microphones, died Jan. 27. He was 82. Over the past three decades, Drake spoke more than 70 times from... Continue Reading »
Southern Baptists are ready to share the hope of Christ with the nations! As the 2026 Winter Olympic games get under way, International Mission Board missionaries from all over Italy are teaming up with hundreds of U.S. volunteers from... Continue Reading »
ANDERSON— The Trojans 19-7 run to begin the second half propelled them to a 60-52 victory over the Talcon’s on Saturday evening at the Abney Athletic Center. The Trojans star Junior Osmar Garcia-Araujo posted his second straight double-double, and... Continue Reading »
Southern Baptist leaders pointed to the evils of racism following a now deleted post on President Trump’s social media page Friday, Feb. 6. “Nearly all of the 62-second clip appears to be from a conservative video alleging deliberate tampering... Continue Reading »
For a state so relatively small in size, South Carolina is graced with a variety of colleges and universities. Many of these institutions of higher learning owe a debt to the legacy of Baptist education in the state. South... Continue Reading »
SBC Recording Secretary Nathan Finn says he will not be nominated for a fifth term at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando. Finn made the announcement on his blog Tuesday (Feb. 3). Finn said the decision came through... Continue Reading »
A lighthearted challenge issued by a western North Carolina pastor turned into a statewide movement of comedy and connection following this past weekend’s historic winter storm. Bobby Rogers, lead pastor of Dellwood Baptist Church in Waynesville, said he was... Continue Reading »
South Carolina pastor Josh Powell will be nominated for Southern Baptist Convention president at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando. Tennessee pastor Jay Hardwick told Baptist Press that he intends to nominate Powell this summer. “I’ve known Josh... Continue Reading »
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief units and Send Relief centers are responding to last weekend’s cold and lingering freezing temperatures, with more than 700 volunteers engaged in numerous efforts, including feeding, warming centers and cleanup units. Although most of South... Continue Reading »
If discipleship were a test, the average churchgoer would pass — but not by much. In the second half of the State of Discipleship study, Lifeway Research studied churchgoers’ levels of discipleship by asking dozens of questions related to... Continue Reading »
It’s often hard to see the ways that God uses catastrophes to draw you closer to Him. But not for George and Allison. Before the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, George and Allison Karkanis had already spent roughly eight years involved... Continue Reading »
(Editor’s note: The following article was originally published in WORLD.) I pastor a church just minutes from Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn. Last Sunday [Jan. 18], Cities was invaded by anti-ICE agitators. I have friends who attend there,... Continue Reading »
Meant for the Mission, a two-year theme that will be woven throughout WMU curriculum beginning this fall, provided the backdrop for more than 20 different speakers who shared missions testimonies and illustrations of God’s faithfulness during WMU’s board meeting,... Continue Reading »
On New Year’s Eve, 1 million visitors flooded into Time Square hotels, neighboring blocks, and the immediate area awaiting the iconic ball drop. When the gates opened at 10 a.m., they flooded into the square to wait for 14... Continue Reading »
Caleb Phillips, 21, was born and raised in Minnesota and when he saw the crowds protesting, he thought, There are many unbelievers in the twin cities, and these protests are just a concentrated group of people. I’d love to... Continue Reading »
America’s current state of dissension brings similarities to 60 years ago, when protests were common and voices were loud. Martin Luther King Jr. was the leading voice. It’s one Matthew Daniels wants to elevate again. Daniels isn’t the only... Continue Reading »
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission released a letter Jan. 16 calling for President Trump’s action on recent issues that have brought friction between the pro-life movement and an administration historically supportive of it. The letter is signed by... Continue Reading »
Leaders of Cities Church, St. Paul, Minn., released a statement Jan. 20 addressing what they called the “shameful, unlawful conduct” of protesters that disrupted their church service Sunday, Jan. 18. The protesters “accosted members of our congregation, frightened children,... Continue Reading »
We can learn the largest and loudest of life’s lessons from the smallest and quietest of God’s creatures. As a wide-eyed kid, I wanted to roar like a lion, stomp like an elephant, and tower like a giraffe. But... Continue Reading »
Thank you, South Carolina Baptists, for allowing me the privilege to serve as your president this year. The cooperative work we do together as Southern Baptists has been a part of my life from my earliest childhood memories. I... Continue Reading »
An anti-ICE protest disrupted the morning worship service at Cities Church, St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday morning (Jan. 18). Former CNN anchor Don Lemon livestreamed a portion of the event from inside the church building on YouTube. Protesters could... Continue Reading »
Despite potential barriers within the congregation, the community and the broader culture, new Hispanic churches in the U.S. are reaching new people and welcoming new faces. Working with 16 denominations or similar groups, Lifeway Research surveyed leaders at almost... Continue Reading »
The Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention met for the final time in 2025 in Columbia to wrap up the year and set their sights on 2026. Led by Chairman Stephen Cannon, the day included committee meetings,... Continue Reading »
Every year, churches across the Southern Baptist Convention honor the memory and legacy of George Liele and other African American and black missionary pioneers. Liele is widely acknowledged as the first overseas missionary from the United States. A freed... Continue Reading »
The changing religious landscape in the United States includes a decline in the total number of Protestant and Southern Baptist churches. In 2024, Lifeway Research estimates 3,800 new Protestant churches were started in the U.S., while 4,000 churches were... Continue Reading »
The Baptist Courier recently conducted a Q&A with the 2026 president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, Ryan Pack, senior pastor of Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo. Pack began his duties following the annual meeting in Columbia in... Continue Reading »
After adding eight camp locations in 2025, Lifeway camps are expanding once again in 2026, adding four new locations — in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas and South Carolina — as well as bringing new camps to previous locations. The expansion... Continue Reading »
Editor’s note: Sanctity of Life Sunday is Jan. 18. As King David wrote in praise to God, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and... Continue Reading »
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