FRANKLIN , Tenn. — The start of a new year will mark the end of an era for the Baptist and Reflector.  Lonnie Wilkey, who has served as editor of the B&R for 26 years, has announced his plans to retire from his position, effective Dec. 31, 2024.

This Thursday, May 2, is the National Day of Prayer. It was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1952, and the date was set to the first Thursday in May by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Volunteers with Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief were called into action in the immediate aftermath of the deadly tornado outbreak in Oklahoma on Saturday, April 27. From preparing meals to chainsaw/debris clean-up to chaplaincy ministry, Oklahoma Baptist DR teams are already making an impact in hard hit areas of the state.

CINCINNATI (BP) — Michael Clary, pastor of Christ the King Church in Cincinnati, announced Monday his intention to nominate Wesley Russell, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Pikeville, Ky., for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention at the annual meeting in June.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Lifeway, B&H Publishing and Holman Bible Publishers recently announced the CSB “She Reads Truth Bible” achieved a Platinum Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) for selling more than 1 million copies.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Spurgeon College commissioned nine missionary teams to overseas service in Africa and Asia at a special chapel service on Tuesday, April 23. The ceremony also commissioned several graduate-level students who have completed rigorous training in the Fusion Master’s Cohort in preparation for service as career missionaries.

Christian business leaders from across North Carolina arrived on Southeastern Seminary’s campus on Wednesday, April 24, for the t-factor summit, a training initiative of Coca-Cola Consolidated. Grateful to host this training event, Southeastern endeavors to help equip and encourage Christians in the marketplace to make disciples of Jesus.

The Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde famously said, “I can resist anything except temptation.” The story of Joseph in the Bible provides for contemporary Christians both an example and a methodology for avoiding accusations and sins.

Daniel Holland, a rising senior at Georgia Southern University, has been selected as state president of Baptist Collegiate Ministries for 2024-2025. Holland, a marketing major, says he plans to attend seminary after graduation, and his ultimate desire is to serve as a pastor.

Destructive storms and tornadoes hit the Midwest over the weekend, leaving a wake of damage behind them. At least five deaths and more than 100 injuries have been reported in Oklahoma. Other states among those reportedly impacted by the storms include Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas.

CLEVELAND, Ga. — Truett McConnell University welcomes the public to enjoy an evening of music at The Nightly, TMU’s premier student coffee lounge. Join us for the Bear-ly Jazz ensemble’s Spring 2024 performance featuring a vibrant mix of swing, Latin, and pop jazz tunes.

Brett, a church leader in Tennessee, pulled up to the unassuming farmhouse situated in the rolling hills of Tennessee with a box of winter supplies and clothes donated by local churches. He expected a language barrier with the Arabic speakers. The residents of the house were Egyptians who trace their Christian roots to the first century.

PEARL, Miss. — From the back of the sanctuary, a line of women stood with towels in hand, gazing toward the water where sunlight gleamed off the baptismal. These women, ranging from 22 to nearly 80 years old, were waiting for baptism at the Mississippi Correctional Institute for Women (MCIW).

FARMERSVILLE, Texas (BP) – SBC President Bart Barber has announced his appointments to the 2024 Committee on Committees. Adam Blosser, pastor of Goshen Baptist Church in Spotsylvania, Va., will lead the committee as chair, and Elizabeth Graham from First Baptist Church, Concord, Tenn., will serve as vice chair.

Longtime International Mission Board leader Clyde D. Meador died Friday, April 26. He was 79. Clyde Meador worked closely with four IMB presidents as a top advisor and executive vice president, and as the mission organization’s interim president from August 2010 to March 2011 and again briefly in 2018 before the election of current President Paul Chitwood.

Every Sunday, 8-year-old Micah Singerman heard his parents, International Mission Board missionaries Kevin and Victoria Singerman, tell chronological Bible stories in Kampala, Uganda. He then watched the Ugandan believers go out and share the same story with people in their community.  

Samnas Alemu thought he was saying goodbye to his family for one week. In 2013, persecution forced him to flee his home country of Ethiopia to seek asylum in the United States, and he was hoping to reunite with his family soon. But a week turned into months, and months into years, as Samnas waited for a hearing before a judge for his asylum case.

FORSYTH, Ga. — Last Saturday, April 20, some 250 Georgia college student leaders gathered at Maynard Baptist Church in Forsyth for Equip, a day of equipping leaders to be on mission on their campus, in their community and around the world.

FORSYTH, Ga. — Last Saturday, April 20, some 250 Georgia college student leaders gathered at Maynard Baptist Church in Forsyth for Equip, a day of equipping leaders to be on mission on their campus, in their community and around the world.

It’s rare that Gene Mitchell drives anywhere in his truck listening to Christian music without getting teary-eyed, some 18 months after his wife died of cancer.  “Songs now have a different meaning, things I’ve never heard in a song before,” Mitchell told The Alabama Baptist. 

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? One that has been with you in the valley and carried you to the other side?  Your go-to in time of crisis? The first Bible verse I ever remember remembering is James 4:8.

Comparing ourselves to others is a trap. It’s hard not to do, but it is definitely not good for us at all. I can see how my grandchildren struggle with this, but honestly I do as well.

JONESBORO, Ga. — Hannah’s life was “broken.” She was raised in Ghana by her father, who was a pastor, and sister after her mother left the family when she was only 3 months old.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Midwestern Seminary welcomed hundreds of students, staff, and community members, along with their families, to campus for the Spring Picnic on April 19. The event featured free food, fun, and fellowship for the seminary community.

CLEVELAND, Ga. — Truett McConnell University’s shooting team has once again showcased their exceptional skills at the ACUI Clay Targets Collegiate Shotgun Bowl Series in San Antonio, Texas. Sophomore Ethan Ledford secured 2nd place in Trap Singles and 3rd place in Trap Doubles, while senior Drew Weber and sophomores Michael Bowen and Kason Gooch also earned accolades for their shooting prowess and academic excellence.