CUMMING, Ga. — Andrew Ryzhkov and his wife, Inna, planted a Russian-speaking church in Snellville and are currently serving Calvary Russian Church, a thriving congregation they started from a humble beginning in Alpharetta over 20 years ago.

MARRAKECH, Morocco – The death toll from last week's major earthquake in Morocco has climbed beyond 2,800 as first responders continue attempts to rescue people from the rubble. Send Relief leaders and partners are on the ground, meeting needs and assessing a long-term response. “We are praying for the people of Morocco and for the ongoing rescue and relief efforts,” said Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (KT) — The 30th anniversary of Godstock — a weekend evangelistic event of Hillvue Heights Church — gives evidence to the truth of Ephesians 3 that God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Lead Pastor Steve Ayers said Hillvue has been praying for the past 20 years to have 100 baptisms at Godstock. This year that prayer was met and exceeded when 120 baptisms were recorded.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Pastor Steve Taylor told Georgia Baptist leaders about the time his septic system malfunctioned, causing nasty gray water to seep from the ground onto his lawn. “I’m out in the yard, and I’m digging away, knee deep in my own mess, literally,” Taylor, vice president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, said in a devotion delivered at a Georgia Baptist Executive Committee meeting in Fayetteville on Tuesday. “One of my church members who was driving by, stops, and says what’s going on? He jumps out of the car and says let me help. Just a little while later, another man comes along, and he begins to get down in my mess, knee deep, with me.”

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — The view from the audience is not always accurate and certainly never complete. And the same can be said of viewing the life of Elisabeth Elliot. In the second volume of the authorized biography of Elisabeth Elliot, Being Elisabeth Elliot, releasing this week, bestselling author Ellen Vaughn leads readers through “the middle section” of Elliot’s life, which Vaughn describes as the most interesting and least known part of her life.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Open one’s eyes, love God and neighbors, and accept God’s call to spread the Gospel among the nations preached Jerry Rankin, president emeritus of the International Mission Board, during his chapel message Thursday at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College.

In preparing for a typical week’s sermon at his church, Griffin Gulledge turned to an atypical source: artificial intelligence. Using his normal means of research, the pastor of Madison Baptist Church in Madison, Georgia, had trouble narrowing down the ways the 12 apostles died. So he opened ChatGPT and asked the artificial intelligence application. “By seeing the ChatGPT answers, I was able to return to my own resources, knowing what to specifically look for to verify its answer,” said Gulledge.

The young boy was ready for the church’s annual Christmas program. He was overjoyed to learn he had a speaking part and felt his contribution would be unforgettable. His role was that of an angel whose sole line was, “It is I; be not afraid!” For weeks, he practiced — at home, at school and even while playing with his dog. The big night came, and he was eager to debut in his acting career. The moment had arrived. He stepped toward the edge of the stage, the spotlights shone brightly on his face and he uttered, “It’s me, and I’m scared to death!”

Jesus is a controversial figure in our society. Jesus was also a controversial figure in the first century. Mark sets forth three different opinions that first-century Jews had about Jesus.

MARRAKESH, Morocco — As early death toll counts have surpassed 2,000, Send Relief partners in Morocco are already meeting needs in the aftermath of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the African nation shortly after 11:00 pm local time Friday night.

McCAYSVILLE, Ga. — Dr. David Drake faithfully served as the pastor of churches in Georgia and Florida for more than 30 years including First Baptist Church in Cartersville, Palm Springs Baptist Church in Palm Springs, Fla., Central Baptist Church in Waycross, First Baptist Church in Ellijay, and currently First Baptist Church McCaysville & Copperhill. He has served these churches with distinction and faithfulness.

FORT WORTH, Texas - The World Missions Center and Office of International Students Services at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary held the “Taste of the Nations” event Wednesday, which featured food from the native countries of four different international student fellowships, a missionary panel, and a crowd of over 200 people.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber shared his optimistic outlook for the future as he visited the offices of the North American Mission Board in Alpharetta, Ga., on Wednesday. “I’m going to predict that spiritual awakening is coming for America, and that we’re going to have the opportunity to benefit from that and participate in that, and it’s not just wishful thinking,” Barber said in response to a question from NAMB president Kevin Ezell about the future of the SBC.

Southern Baptist seminaries were raised up, I believe, by the Lord — not to take the place of local churches — but to come alongside and help local churches. That is why I am convinced that the ideal context to train men and women for ministry is a seminary that is in partnership with good, healthy local churches — churches that take seriously their responsibility to disciple the students we train together.

MOUNT VERNON, Ga. — Steve Edwards has built a successful women’s basketball program at Brewton-Parker College. He has been coach of the year in the Southern States Athletic Conference. He has coached in three national tournaments. But, for Edwards, who doubles as campus pastor, all those accolades pale in comparison to the spiritual victories his teams have celebrated over his eight years as head coach.

“Are you serious?” I nearly shrieked.  “Surely there is someone else, someone better.”  My mind was blown. An assistant position had come open in the youth Sunday School class and my beloved thought I would be a good fit.  That was me a long time ago; I hadn’t taught youth in 20 years.  I felt old.   Sarah and Elizabeth old.

We are at the beach this week. During the same time period last year we were also fortunate to be able to head to the beach with some very dear friends. This is something that happened on our beach trip last year. Our trip had been planned for about 9 months and it came at the perfect time. I love the beach, it is my happy place for sure. Let me rephrase that. I love the beach and the peacefulness of the ocean. I do not necessarily love to “get in” the ocean waters.

I recently went to the doctor due to an unusual amount of headaches. She did the usual checkups on my blood pressure, heart rate, and sugar levels. Then she asked me the probing questions concerning stress, diet changes, and any common denominators that might bring on the headaches. Of course, the next step was lab work. When my lab work came in, she consulted with other doctors on staff to gain their insight. And with all the information gathered, she was able to make a diagnosis.

SWAINSBORO, Ga. — The plan was a simple one: post volunteers at two roadside locations in Swainsboro for a drive-thru prayer initiative. The result was amazing: 30 people surrendered their lives to  Christ in a single day.

Parchman, Miss. — Convicted killer Robert Hyde was granted parole from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola in March 2022, and his miracle of salvation while there continues as he now makes disciples for Christ among inmates at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.

A Kentucky Baptist pastor died in a car accident as he was returning home from church services on Sunday, Sept. 3. Rick Julick, who was serving as interim pastor at Riverview Baptist Church in Berry, Ky., was killed in a two-vehicle accident at U.S. 27-N at Alexander Road in Butler, Ky., located in Pendleton County, according to Kentucky State Police.

DUNWOODY, Ga. — In 2022, the Lord gave the vision of a national prayer gathering to Alabama Baptist Pastor Jacky Connell. In response to that vision Connell connected with a United States congressman to launch a one-time “If My People Will Pray” gathering in Washington, D.C. on October 1, 2023. This effort is based on the conditions and promises of II Chronicles 7:14.

The National Woman’s Missionary Union is inviting kids across the country to get involved in hands-on ministry in their communities through Children’s Missions Day on September 16. The designated day is geared toward children in grades 1 through 6. WMU launched Children’s Missions Day in 2008 to move children out of their churches and into their communities to do missions.

HORSESHOE BEACH, Fla. — Known as a laid-back, friendly fishing village, the quaint community of Horseshoe Beach found itself directly in the path of Hurricane Idalia’s 125 mph winds and 10-foot storm surge. The catastrophic devastation has left the fishing and boating community in pieces. Picking up some of those pieces is Robin Hoffman. Hoffman’s family has owned a home in Horseshoe Beach since the early 1970s and is a longtime member of First Baptist Church Horseshoe Beach—the only local church within 20 miles.

DALLAS — The Texas Baptists Executive Director Search Committee has announced Julio Guarneri, lead pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, Texas, as its nominee to assume the role of executive director for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The identity of the committee’s nominee was announced in an update posted to the Executive Director Search Committee webpage of the Texas Baptists website.