ST. CLAIR, Mo. — The First Baptist Church of St. Clair was damaged significantly by an overnight fire, Jan. 11. At about 2 a.m., someone was walking down the street by the church, and they noticed flames and smoke coming from the church. They reported the fire.

WASHINGTON, DC (BP) — In his first week as an active-duty chaplain more than 25 years ago, Chaplain Major General Trent Davis discovered the unique impact of the conversations chaplains are privileged to have.

A person’s name can say a lot about them. Of course, none of us has any say in our names, but it seems that the name often fits the person’s nature or demeanor. For example, I have known people named Grace who were pleasant, and I can recall an older lady from when I was a child named Ima Jewel who was a genuinely sweet person.

If we are honest, each one of us has overlooked people with great needs, such as the homeless, individuals unable to take care of themselves, and people without anyone to help them.

LOS ANGELES (BP) – Even as Southern California wildfires continue to burn, Southern Baptists have begun early relief work. California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief chaplains are deployed and serving, and more will be deployed soon, according to information from Send Relief Crisis Response Director Coy Webb.

LOS ANGELES — Baptists are significantly involved in ministering to the victims of the wildfires that have devastated so much of the Los Angeles area. The latest report indicates that there have been 105 wildfires, 40,300 acres burned, 12,3000 structures destroyed, more than 150,000 people displaced, and 24 lives lost.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – This year, March 16 falls on a Sunday, and the North American Mission Board’s evangelism team is urging Southern Baptist churches to plan a special outreach on that day with a campaign: “3:16 on 3/16.”

Celebrate African American and Black pioneers whose lives inspire the next generation to continue the work of solving the world’s greatest problem—lostness. The International Mission Board invites all Southern Baptists to recognize Feb. 2 as George Liele Church Planting, Evangelism and Missions Sunday. 

Georgia Baptist kids ministry leaders will get a chance to connect with hundreds of like-minded servants with a heart for shaping the next generation at the 2025 Kids Ministry Summit next month at Jekyll Island.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Theological truths remain unchanged regardless of the date on the calendar, as do many ministry realities. The context surrounding Christians and churches, however, is constantly changing.

Senior Adult Homecoming Retreat is returning to the Golden Isles coast of Georgia in April. The retreat, geared for people age 55 and up, is a wonderful time of worship, Bible study/preaching, fun, and fellowship with other seniors from around the southeastern United States.

It was late November, and I was walking down the “Alphaloop,” a winding trail that sprawls throughout Alpharetta. Armed with a cell phone and a pair of headphones, I had a mission for the afternoon: to call more than a dozen pastors about convention-related business.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Churchgoers may hear the Bible preached every Sunday, but their pastors also want them to engage with Scripture during the week. And, more than 9 in 10 pastors are happy to provide free Bibles to anyone who needs one.

DALLAS—Leaders from the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the North American Mission Board agreed in principle to a clear path forward for providing church-starting resources and support for BGCT churches desiring access to NAMB resources during a two-hour meeting hosted at the BGCT’s Dallas office on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

BURBANK, Calif. (BP) — Jared Osselaer isn’t sure how many people will need a generator or place to stay as fires continue to spread across Los Angeles County, but Story City Church will be ready.

While people in central Illinois dug out from heavy snowfall, the state’s southernmost counties were covered in ice and fallen trees causing power losses, leaving many without shelter. That’s when local churches came to the rescue.

NASHVILLE (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has announced the hiring of three new staff members to begin 2025. New hires include Daniel Darling as church engagement strategist and RaShan Frost as director of research. Lindsay Nicolet, who previously served as ERLC editorial director, has been named director of communications.

ROSWELL, Ga. — Dustin Schadt, lead pastor of Northside Church in Roswell, has a message for believers. To share the gospel, we need to truly see those we are sharing with. In his book, Who Did You See Today? The Power of Outrageous Kindness , he encourages Christians to engage with those around them by taking the time to get to know them and respond to their needs.

Baptists arriving in colonial Georgia came for many reasons. Most were looking for a fresh start to provide a better life for their families. Some were spurred because of religious persecution; others were compelled by economic circumstances, seeking virgin farmland, to escape poverty beyond their control; some had no choice, arriving in the bonds of slavery.

PEARL, Miss. — The commencement service for the graduating class of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College was held at the Mississippi Correctional Institute for Women on Monday, Dec. 16, at the prison in Rankin County. Twelve women graduated with either an Associate of Arts in Christian Service or a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Service.

ASHLAND, Ky. (KT) – Kentucky's 45th, 46th, 47th, and 48th Safe Haven Baby Boxes are available for use in Jefferson County, Madisonville, Hodgenville, and Ashland.

Missions begins with vision and strategy. Missions is also continually fueled through a carefully planned mechanism for outreach. But for many local churches, the idea of a systemic plan for yearlong missions efforts is nonexistent.

As we begin a new calendar year, it is a great time to think through one’s leadership priorities for the next 12 months. Every leader in Christian ministry, whether a local church pastor or an organizational leader, must care well for people, address emerging problems and advance the mission of their church or organization. 

Over Christmas break, I took two of my granddaughters to get their nails done. They had received money and gift cards for Christmas and were anxious to use them. Honestly, they were ready to spend all of their money and gift cards on Christmas night but thankfully nothing was open.

It was pitch dark. Darker than usual. Something was different. And there was a nip in the air. Chillier than usual. That’s when we realized the power was off.