Brad Graves, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ada, Okla,, will be nominated for Southern Baptist Convention first vice president at the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. Brad Whitt, pastor of Abilene Baptist Church in Augusta, announced plans to nominate Graves for the role.

WESTFIELD, Ind. — On February 18, 1966, under the heading, “Navy Seeks Ministers as Chaplains,” Baptist Press posted the following: “The Southern Baptist Chaplains Commission has put out a call for Baptist ministers ready for immediate commission and active duty in the United States Navy. The demand was brought on by a Navy adjustment of the number of Baptist chaplains and by the stepped-up manpower needs resulting from the war in Vietnam.”

It was an honest question from an unbeliever I’d known for years. Our recent discussion about following Christ turned to more pragmatic matters born out of his general observations about Christianity in general. “Why would I give up my one day off in order to gather with a bunch of people I don’t know?” was his follow-up.

Surrounding my home is rich and beautiful farmland. There are thousands of acres of soybeans, cotton and cattle. With each crop, the farmer is required to work hard in the rain or heat for long hours at a time.

Let us be honest. We have all experienced the temptation to exact revenge. Our thoughts about revenge are most often over minor matters. Genesis 50 describes the fear the brothers of Joseph had that in his role in the administration of Egypt, Joseph would seek revenge for his brothers having sold him into slavery in Egypt — not a minor issue.

TIGER, Ga. — Scott Cates, a Georgia Baptist pastor, is touching thousands of lives from Tiger, a town that sits at the base of 2,856-foot Tiger Mountain, a prominent Blue Ridge Mountain peak in the far northeast corner of Georgia.

The passage in John 14:1-3 immediately came to mind after I had accepted the news of my dad’s passing. It was an immediate comfort in a time of loss.

WASHINGTON (BP) – Salvation in Christ Jesus was offered in National Statuary Hall on Thursday, May 16, at the unveiling of a statue of the iconic late global evangelist Billy Graham, which has John 3:16 and John 14:6 carved in its base.

Zach Schemmer’s early home life is a collection of memories tainted by drug addiction – first of his father’s and later, his own. So even though, as he puts it, he “grew up in the church world,” God’s global mission felt like the furthest thing from his mind.

Southeastern joyfully celebrated the Spring 2024 graduating class of its North Carolina Field Minister Program (NCFMP). Friends, family, and partners of this program joined together to honor and support the 17 men who crossed the stage Tuesday, May 14, and graduated as alumni of The College at Southeastern, equipped to go out as field ministers of the gospel.

Churchgoers are more interested than involved in prison ministry, but most say they’d be fine sharing a street or a pew with someone who has been incarcerated.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — On Thursday, May 2, hamlets, towns, and cities across America observed the National Day of Prayer in churches, civic centers, community complexes and public venues. In Gaineseville, a group of Hispanic youth pastors mobilized scores of second-generation Hispanic youths to pray for the United States.

My beloved and I recently had the opportunity to explore St. Augustine for a few hours, knowing it was the place Ponce de Leon reportedly discovered the Fountain of Youth. We found it. The park, that is, and did the thing you do: took a selfie at the entrance. I texted friends that I had found the Fountain of Youth and was bringing some back to all of them. One said to get a gallon.

RICHMOND, Va. — International Mission Board trustees approved 83 fully funded missionaries for appointment during their May 15-16 meeting. While gathered near Richmond, Virginia, trustees also affirmed numerous reports from around the world detailing Southern Baptists’ efforts in advancing the gospel among the lost.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — One of the most effective ways Lifeway Christian Resources serves the local church is by empowering church leaders with relevant resources that catalyze health, growth and impact.

Let me just say that if you have not had the opportunity to take a 10-year-old to school every morning you probably have not engaged in the “random” conversations that I have. I was taking “4th grade” Liza to school this morning and as she is in the back seat she says, “You know Mimzy I am not looking forward to the first day of 5th grade."

NEWNAN, Ga. — After almost three years of prayer, deliberation and a national quest, the Pastor Search Team of Newnan’s First Baptist Church recommended Joel Engle as their new senior pastor. The congregation’s response to the recommendation was overwhelmingly positive, and Engle’s first Sunday in the pulpit was May 5th. 

DENVER — In March, Send Relief’s Denver Ministry Center experienced the impacts of compassion and generosity as we welcomed two college groups for a special service project during spring break.

NEW ORLEANS  — Jamie Dew, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College, exhorted the schools’ May 2024 graduates to remember what has “real, significant value,” in the Kingdom of God.  

NASHVILLE. Ga. — Pastor Paul Keffer of First Baptist Church of Nashville says he believes revival is critical in the life of a church. “I realize that there are a lot of churches that no longer make revival part of their church schedule,” he explains, “but I believe there are times when we need renewal and refreshing.”

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Officially, attendance at Southern Baptist congregations grew 6% in 2023, but it’s likely the actual gains are even higher.

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Valdosta Ministry Center’s newest initiative, the Next Steps program, is making a profound impact on the lives of young adults aged 18 to 25 who are houseless. The ministry center started serving families in crisis over a decade ago.

I am here to tell you that the church I pastor is the perfect church! I mean it. Without a doubt, it is the greatest church in the world. But then something happens to mess it up. Someone like me unlocks the doors and walks in. As of that moment, it is no longer without blemish.

Reconciliation is a beautiful concept. Families can become reconciled after experiencing difficulties. Our English term “reconcile” has the connotation of the restoration of friendship or harmony. In the Bible, reconciliation may be vertical (reconciliation with God) or horizontal (reconciliation between estranged human beings).

Founded by chaplain Max Helton in 1989, Motor Racing Outreach has been ministering to NASCAR drivers, teams and families for 35 years, providing community while sharing the message of Jesus Christ.