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Truth and Unity Amendment Receives Initial Two-thirds Approval

An amendment specifying the role of pastor and the act of preaching as limited to men, brought by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler, received the first of two required two-thirds votes by messengers on June 10 to... Continue Reading »

Jeff Iorg Champions More Giving to Global Missions; Special Needs Ministry Report

Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Jeff Iorg championed increased giving to international missions in his June 9 report to the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting, also commending the findings of a Special Needs Ministry Task Force. He encouraged messengers... Continue Reading »

Kerns Elected SBC Recording Secretary

Travis Kerns, Three Rivers Baptist Association mission strategist and member of Greer First Baptist Church, was elected as SBC recording secretary during the Orlando SBC Annual Meeting’s Tuesday afternoon session. He won a three-way race with Mississippi pastor Jonathan... Continue Reading »

More than 1,000 Salvations Through Crossover Orlando

Ahead of their annual meeting, Southern Baptists intentionally engaged the host city of Orlando to serve the community and proclaim the gospel. Tuesday morning, June 9, North American Mission Board Vice President of Evangelism Tim Dowdy shared that more... Continue Reading »

Rice Wins SBC Presidency in Orlando

Florida pastor Wiley Rice defeated Josh Powell, lead pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., in the presidential election during the Wednesday afternoon session of the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla. Rice, senior... Continue Reading »

‘Don’t despise the small things,’ Scroggins tells Pastors

Editor’s Note: Wayne Bray, pastor of First Baptist Simpsonville/Upstate Church in South Carolina, was elected president of the 2027 SBC Pastors’ Conference in Indianapolis. Pastors should be thinking about how God might use their churches and the Southern Baptist... Continue Reading »

WMU Elects New President, Emphasizes What is ‘Meant for the Mission’

Carolyn Fountain was elected the 25th president of Woman’s Missionary Union during the WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting June 7 in Orlando, Fla. She is the first African American woman to serve in this role. Held in the... Continue Reading »

Diverse Group of Churches, Ministries Come Together for Evangelism Through Crossover Orlando

Twenty-eight years ago, members from First Baptist Church in Kissimmee began to pray that the church might someday own the field that adjoined their church property. As part of the events surrounding Crossover from June 1 to June 6,... Continue Reading »

Martha Franks Heritage House to Open June 30 in Laurens

The Martha Franks Retirement Community will welcome the public to the grand opening of the Martha Franks Heritage House with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Laurens County Chamber at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30. Located on... Continue Reading »

What Do You Mean “The SBC Only Exists Two Days a Year”? How the SBC Works

Beginning in 1845 in Augusta, Ga., the Southern Baptist Convention began with a laser-focused purpose: missions and education for the expansion of God’s kingdom. Made up of churches freely cooperating under those dual banners, the SBC quickly grew into... Continue Reading »

Why Should You Attend the SBC Annual Meeting?

It is rare to find an evangelical Christian under 50 who has been a part of one denomination for their entire church life. I was born into a family that was deeply committed to the local church and equally... Continue Reading »

Why I Support Josh Powell for SBC President

I first met Josh Powell in a Sunday school class in LaGrange, Ky., around 26 years ago. It was 2000, and we were both Deep South boys about to embark on studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Our... Continue Reading »

S.C. Pastor Vying for Top SBC Office; What are the SBC President’s Duties?

South Carolina pastor Josh Powell will be nominated for the position of Southern Baptist Convention president at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando. Powell, a 51-year-old pastor, serves as the lead pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church, a... Continue Reading »

Resolutions Committee Releases Slate for 2026 SBC Annual Meeting

The slate of resolutions for the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention has been released by the committee appointed by SBC President Clint Pressley. The group has released resolutions dealing with current SBC topics such as the office of the pastor... Continue Reading »

Retired SCBaptist Deaf Ministry Leader Jerry St. John, 93, Dies After Brief Illness

Jerry St John, 93, of Columbia died May 14, 2026, after a brief illness. He was a Louisiana native but grew up in Warren, Ark. He was called to the ministry in 1951 and attended Ouachita Baptist University and... Continue Reading »

Louisiana Pastor, Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Reflects on Moon Mission

As Artemis II completed its recent 10-day mission that included traveling to the far side of the moon, retired NASA rocket scientist Clifton Arnold reflected about his part in helping make the journey a success. “Seeing the takeoff, landing... Continue Reading »

IMB Releases ‘Blueprint’ for NextGen Seeking to Reach the Nations

The International Mission Board has released “Blueprint: Recognizing God’s Design for His Glory Among the Nations,” a new course and companion book for students, young adults and ministry leaders to understand Scripture as one unified story and recognize their... Continue Reading »

SBC Officer Candidates Overview

Two candidates have announced their willingness to be nominated for the office of president of the Southern Baptist Convention — Florida pastor Willy Rice and South Carolina pastor Josh Powell. Powell will be nominated by Tennessee pastor Jay Hardwick.... Continue Reading »

Part One — Building Pillars of Renewal: An Extended Interview with SBC Presidential Candidate Willy Rice

(Editors’ note: This is an extended version of an interview that was published in the June 2026 edition of The Baptist Courier magazine.) William (Willy) Rice is from Tampa, Fla., and has been a pastor for 42 years. He’s... Continue Reading »

Part Two — Building Pillars of Renewal: An Extended Interview with SBC Presidential Candidate Willy Rice

Why would you say cooperation isn’t just important, but also cooperation with certain Baptist distinctives? It’s kind of like a railroad track. You have to have two parts: The cooperation is we work together, the conviction is we work... Continue Reading »

Part Two — ‘Honored and Privileged to Be Considered’: An Extended Interview with SBC Presidential Candidate Josh Powell

Where do you think complementarian and egalitarian beliefs fall? I think we are clearly complementarian. The Baptist Faith and Message is clearly complementarian. I think the BF&M 2000 — especially as it was amended in 2023 — becomes even... Continue Reading »

Part One — ‘Honored and Privileged to Be Considered’: An Extended Interview with SBC Presidential Candidate Josh Powell

(Editors’ note: This is the extended version of an interview that was published in the June 2026 edition of The Baptist Courier magazine.) Josh Powell grew up at Red Bank Baptist Church in Lexington where his dad pastored. In... Continue Reading »

Who Will Succeed the Longest-serving Governor in S.C. History?

South Carolina is no stranger to the longevity of its political leaders. Sen. Strom Thurmond served just one term as governor of South Carolina (1947–1951) but his service as senior senator in Washington stretched from 1956 to 2003 —... Continue Reading »

Homeless After 28 Years

I remember the day my pastor’s wife became homeless. Helen was a great pastor’s wife. She served faithfully for decades alongside her husband, Len G., who served as the pastor of a First Baptist Church in a small town... Continue Reading »

SCBaptists Gift $1 Million to IMB Missionary Housing

The Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention voted unanimously and enthusiastically to grant $1 million to the International Mission Board (IMB) for dormitory renovations at the International Learning Center (ILC). “While the dollar figure is large, the... Continue Reading »

Five Dangerous Assumptions Baptists Make

Whether consciously or subconsciously, we all make assumptions that affect our lives. Some assumptions are more dangerous than others. Assuming the waiter correctly relayed your order to the chef is not nearly as hazardous as assuming that the oncoming... Continue Reading »

Cooperation Catechism: Why Be a Southern Baptist? 7 Questions & Answers That Succinctly State the Fundamentals of Our Cooperative Identity

(Editors’ note: This article was originally published at Christ Over All)   Like many parents throughout the centuries, we used catechisms to instruct our children in basic Christian doctrine. As a result of catechesis, our children were well-prepared to... Continue Reading »

Waiting Not Wasted Time

I assume I’m not alone when I say that I don’t like to wait. At the store, I’m the guy scanning for the shortest checkout line, only to somehow end up in the longest one. At a fast-food restaurant... Continue Reading »

National WMU Acquires Royal Racers 

National WMU acquired Royal Racers on May 1, 2026. Since 1984, Royal Racers has resourced Royal Ambassadors with high quality wooden craft kits. “There’s something unforgettable about the excitement of a pinewood derby — the intense preparation and creativity,... Continue Reading »

Former state Exec Driggers Passes Away at Georgia Home

Carlisle Driggers, 88, Hartsville native and executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention from 1992 until his retirement in 2007, passed away May 18 at his residence in Georgia. Driggers’ 16-year tenure is the second longest for an... Continue Reading »

Blackabys Write Sequel to ‘Experiencing God’

A sequel to the best-selling Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God is in production by Lifeway Christian Resources. It’s written by Richard Blackaby, eldest son of Experiencing God’s author, Henry Blackaby, and by Richard’s two oldest... Continue Reading »

NC’s Allen Murray to Be Nominated for SBC 2nd Vice President

J. Allen Murray, pastor of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Supply, N.C., and current president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, will be nominated for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention at this summer’s annual... Continue Reading »

Former State Executive Passes Away at Home in Georgia

SCBaptist family, it is with a heavy heart we inform you that Dr. Carlisle Driggers passed away last night at his residence in Georgia. Dr. Driggers faithfully served as the Executive Director-Treasurer of the SCBaptist Convention from 1992 until... Continue Reading »

South Carolina’s Cory Horton to Lead SBC 2026 Committee on Committees 

Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley has announced his appointments to the 2026 Committee on Committees. Pressley, pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Charlotte, N.C., has named Cory Horton, pastor, Brushy Creek Baptist, Taylors, S.C., as chair; and Mat... Continue Reading »

In Embracing ‘Micro,’ Pastors’ Conference Looks to Leave a Big Impact 

The SBC Pastors’ Conference theme of “Together” will be evident through the addition of micro conferences for ministry areas, creating specific opportunities to serve those outside the role of lead pastor. The Pastors’ Conference has always been an event... Continue Reading »

Spiritual Matters Missing From Many Churchgoers’ Conversations, According to Lifeway Research

While some Americans show up to church on Sunday morning, those in their lives Monday through Saturday may never hear about it. Lifeway Research’s State of Discipleship revealed many U.S. Protestant churchgoers don’t see their faith as pervasive throughout... Continue Reading »

Meet & Greets, Scavenger Hunt, Entity Updates, Swag on Tap for SBC 2026 Exhibit Hall

Have your say at the Cooperative Program interactive display at the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting Exhibit Hall in Orlando, where the SBC Executive Committee will gather testimonies on how the CP has impacted individual journeys, churches and... Continue Reading »

Mohler to Call for ‘Truth & Unity’ Amendment to SBC Constitution at Annual Meeting

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler announced his intention today (May 18) to propose an amendment to Article III of the SBC Constitution that, he said, “would make clear” how cooperating Southern Baptist churches will view the role... Continue Reading »

Kentucky Pastor Austin Rouse to Be Nominated for SBC 2nd VP

Kentucky pastor Austin Rouse will be nominated for second vice president at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando. Rouse is the pastor of families and students at Southern Heights Baptist in Russellville, Ky. Fellow Kentucky pastor Michael Shultz,... Continue Reading »

Largest Attendance in Years Expected at SBC Annual Meeting, Housing Closes Soon

With approximately 20,000 total attendees expected for the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting June 7–10, guests and messengers are urged to nail down their housing needs. “When SBC hotel availability opened in October, the response was immediate,” said Lynn Richmond,... Continue Reading »

Recording Secretary Nathan Finn on Preparing for the Annual Meeting

Recording Secretary Nathan Finn says preparations are well underway to hear from Southern Baptists at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting and to capture the reports, motions and actions taken in Orlando. In a recent interview with Jonathan Howe on... Continue Reading »

As World Cup Arrives in North America, Southern Baptists Gear Up to Share the Gospel

As the world prepares for one of its largest sporting events, Southern Baptists have created opportunities to leverage the 2026 World Cup to share the gospel. From June 11–July 19, 16 major cities throughout North America will host soccer... Continue Reading »

Clint Pressley Urges Prayers for Country in Concert with May 17 Washington Event

Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley is urging pastors to lead their congregations in prayer for the nation May 17 in concert with a religious outreach in Washington celebrating the semiquincentennial. “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise... Continue Reading »

Investing in the Mission: SCBaptist Executive Board Acts on Two National Fronts

The Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention met on April 28, passing several significant motions, including new collaborations with both the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board. The board voted unanimously to grant the... Continue Reading »

Pressley Names 2026 Registration Committee

SBC President Clint Pressley announced May 4 that John Pendleton will chair the Registration Committee for the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando in June. Pendleton, pastor of Bardstown Baptist Church in Bardstown, Ky., was a member of the... Continue Reading »

Tellers Named for 2026 SBC Annual Meeting

Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley has named the roster of tellers to count votes at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting June 9–10. Pressley named David Haynes, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Senatobia, Miss., to lead the team.... Continue Reading »

Charleston Southern Celebrates Newest Alumni

Charleston Southern University celebrated commencement with a service for master’s and doctoral students on May 7, followed by three ceremonies for graduating Buccaneers receiving bachelor’s degrees on May 9. All participants walked the stage of Lightsey Chapel — the... Continue Reading »

SCBaptist, NAMB announce partnership to support church planting in South Carolina

The South Carolina Baptist Convention (SCBaptist) and the North American Mission Board (NAMB) announced the launch of SendSC, a unified initiative to strategically plant and support church planters in South Carolina. According to the United States Census Bureau, South... Continue Reading »

A Huge Victory for Life and for Women’s Health

(Editors’ note: this article was originally published at WORLD Opinions) The Fifth Circuit rules for Louisiana and the law in a case involving mail-order abortion drugs Every month, almost 1,000 babies are illegally aborted in Louisiana using the abortion... Continue Reading »

Lifeway Trustees Elect Ryan Blackwell as President and CEO

Lifeway Christian Resources trustees elected Ryan Blackwell as the organization’s 11th president and CEO during a special-called meeting April 22 in Nashville. “I’m deeply humbled and grateful to be given this opportunity by the trustees. Lifeway has a long... Continue Reading »