CASPER, Wyo. – Susan Foery simply asked, “How can we help?” That’s how things get done at Boyd Avenue Baptist Church, where Ed Tharp has been pastor for five years, after 22 years as youth pastor.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) — In his fifth year as a minister, Greg Perkins hit what he calls his “leadership lid.” “I began facing problems and challenges I wasn’t equipped for,” said Perkins.

ATLANTA — Each year, groups of Georgia Baptists are invited to join Mike Griffin, the public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, for tours of the state Capitol building to pray for government leaders and enjoy the festive holiday decorations. Those who went on the Christmas Prayer tour Wednesday, Dec. 4, got a special treat as Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife Marty met with them.

In January 1995, I made New Year’s resolutions. There was my usual “lose weight,” along with “read my Bible through.” Those were annual topliners, but that year, I went out on a limb adding, “get an article published in the Williamson Daily News.” The WDN was our local newspaper in Williamson, WV.

Lottie Moon served Southern Baptists as a missionary in P’ingtu and Tengchow, China. She established a new church, saw thousands come to faith in Christ, and persevered through much deprivation and suffering to advance the cause of Christ.

Danilo Miranda moved hurriedly through the Rio de Janeiro airport. He was on his way across the world to attend a Global Senders Forum. The conference highlighted the IMB’s and other sending organizations’ commitment to globalization. It was a fitting conference for the IMB missionary who is originally from Brazil. Danilo’s ministry in Brazil has been focused on mobilizing the church in Brazil to fulfill the Revelation 7:9 vision.  

I will be honest and admit I am somewhat of a “hold on person.” Ok, maybe a little more than somewhat. I have the tendency to hold on to things to the point that it makes me second guess my decisions, feel uncertain about relationships, and sometimes make myself quite anxious.

U.S. Bible sales appear to be soaring over last year by 22%,  according to a report by Circana BookScan, The Wall Street Journal reported Dec. 1. In a year with ongoing overseas conflict, economic challenges, natural disasters, and a volatile presidential election, the surge may be due to an increase in anxiety, uncertainty about the future and a search for hope.

Two years ago, there was no evangelical, Deaf church in Slovenia. The Bible didn’t even exist in Slovenian Sign Language. But International Mission Board missionaries Mark and Vesta Sauter, who lead the IMB’s church planting efforts among the Deaf, understood that there’s a direct correlation between church planting and Bible translation.

PLANO, Texas (BP) – An associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church is poised to return to the White House as part of the Trump administration with the nomination of Scott Turner for secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

SUWANEE, Ga. — W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, told messengers at the annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention last month that the population of Georgia grew last year by 230,000 people and said, “We have the privilege of introducing Jesus to all of them.”

Twenty-five Senegalese islanders crowded into a classroom. Sitting in front of a projector their eyes were glued to the screen. As they watched the JESUS Film, International Mission Board missionaries Moses and Beth saw clear emotion in the faces of the islanders.  

ALTON, Mo. — It doesn’t take more than five minutes of talking to David Case to learn three things: he loves Jesus; he and his wife, Rosemary, are an inseparable team; and he is passionate about passing the leadership baton to young people in the church.

SARASOTA, FLA. — It’s just several hours past midnight when volunteers gather to begin preparing about 9,000 meals for the day as part of one Florida Baptist Disaster Relief feeding team. On this day, the team, consisting of 10 to 20 volunteers in Sarasota, will prepare about 5,000 hamburgers and 4,000 barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, along with 9,000 servings of baked beans.

I confess that I often make promises that I forget. My failure hurts other people. But God is a promise-keeping God. In our study, we will discover several future promises that God made to His people.

Each of us possesses a unique skill that cannot be easily taught. It is the ability to navigate through your home in the dark. While you have probably learned where each piece of furniture and light is located in your house, it would prove difficult for anyone unfamiliar with the layout. It isn’t that there is less darkness for you than for other people; you just know what is not visible to them.

COLUMBUS, Ga. — Hillcrest Ministry Resource Center is an integral part of the Columbus Baptist Association and exemplifies knowing how to put faith into action. God wants us to be lifelong learners, but once we learn a new truth, we also become responsible for what we have learned. We must not only be hearers but doers of the Word.

NEW ORLEANS — Another result of the record-setting fundraising success NOBTS has recently experienced is the establishment of the seminary’s online Spanish program. NOBTS officially launched the program in the fall of 2021 as a shift from offering Spanish education at a campus extension center. 

Children’s Missions Day, an initiative of the Woman's Missionary Union, encourages children in grades 1–6 to take part in missions-focused projects that positively impact their communities. CMD took place on Sept. 21 this year with the theme Neighbors. The purpose was for children to let their neighbors know: “God loves me and he loves you, too! That’s why he sent Jesus!”

WATKINSVILLE, Ga. — A local church is the product of many believers, past and present. It is their many voices combined over time that create a single story of God’s work. Mars Hill Baptist Church in Watkinsville, celebrating 225 years is no exception to the rule.

COLUMBIA, Miss. — Goss Baptist Church recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its annual Blessing of the Hunt on Thursday, Nov. 14, an event that has grown significantly since its inception in 2002.

NASHVILLE (BP) – Twelve years ago, Randall Goodgame’s family was in the thick of homeschooling. His wife Beth struggled to help the kids memorize their weekly Scripture verses. Goodgame decided to help in a way that came naturally to him – writing songs.

PADUCAH, Ky. (KT) – The Hope for West Kentucky crusade may have ended two weeks ago but the gospel message proclaimed throughout the week has no end. Ross Buchanan, an associate pastor at 12 Oaks Baptist Church, learned that lesson immediately upon the crusade’s completion last Sunday night at the Paducah Convention Center. Most everyone had left the building when he was struck with the reality that God’s message keeps breathing.

COLUMBUS, Ga. — Dr. Tim Jones, pastor of Britt David Baptist Church in Columbus for 24 years, has been called to serve as the associational missionary of the Columbus Baptist Association following Jimmy Blanton, who served the same association for almost three decades.

OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) — For Todd Fisher, this Thanksgiving is measured in moments. Those moments will be with family – starting with his wife of 30 years, Jamy, and children Zach, Carly, and Anna. They will come when the turkey tastes a little better, when watching football Thursday afternoon with a full stomach is more enjoyable.