Several hundred people in North Carolina, who continue to deal with the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene, will be warmer this Thanksgiving due to the generosity of a small Baptist association in Texas.

With today being Thanksgiving I am reflecting on some of the top things I am most thankful for. There are so many things that come to my mind when I think of being thankful. The definition of thankful is "expressing gratitude" but thankful can also mean "being conscience of benefits received."

MARIETTA, Ga. — Lindolfo Dossantos, pastor of Eastside Brazilian Church, is one of the most personable, engaging individuals you could ever know. He was born in the city of Antonina in the state of Parana approximately 250 miles south of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city.

HAMMOND, La. — Les Fogleman turned 82 earlier this November, and the decision to set up a prayer station at the busy intersection by his church has yielded some of the greatest fruit in his years of ministry.

DALLAS, Texas — This Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3, all donations made to GuideStone’s Mission:Dignity ministry will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $700,000, thanks to the generosity of 25 donors committed to providing support for ministers and their families.

I often think of things I wish I had done with my mom. (Trying not to cry as I write.) We had lots of plans – to do together. There wasn’t a plan for her not to be here.

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — When Steve McCombs and his wife Tonia began their ministry at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, 30 years ago, retirement was not on their minds. Steve and Tonia met at the BSU while students at Delta State University.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Southern Baptist student ministry leader Shane Pruitt has been named student ministry instructor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries, the seminary announced Monday, Nov. 25.

Cuba is still reeling from the devastating effects of not just one but three natural disasters. Hurricane Oscar hit eastern Cuba on Oct. 20. Hurricane Rafael ripped through western Cuba on Nov. 6. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake shook the eastern part of the island on Nov. 11, compounding the destruction left by the hurricanes.

When the casseroles are gone and friends and family wave goodbye, the woman who has lost her husband now faces the unknown. From that moment forward, a widow must tread through each day alone, facing unfamiliar emotions and situations.

Christmas is coming! The stores reflect the colors of red, green, and silver. The radio plays holiday music, and the advertisements convey images of snow, family gatherings, and a warm sense of good cheer.

The name of the second book of our English Bibles derives from the title the ancient Greek translators gave to the book. The name in the Hebrew Bible, in contrast, means “these are the names.” The ancient Greek title is a good descriptive title because a major portion of the book describes the people of God leaving from bondage in Egypt.

RESACA, Ga. — Emmaus Baptist Church is different from other churches. The worship services may seem somewhat unscripted but are certainly full of energy and life. The facilities are not characterized by tall steeples, chandeliers, and stained-glass windows, but they are inviting and marked by a convivial atmosphere.

ROME, Ga. — Shorter University is deeply saddened by the passing of Trustee Larry Maxey, whose unwavering dedication and leadership have left an indelible mark on our institution.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Almost 300 students, faculty, and family of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary gathered on Tuesday, Nov. 19, to celebrate the upcoming Christmas holidays and the international community during the Taste of the Nations: Christmas Edition, and on a scale that had not been seen since before 2020.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The North American Mission Board served Southern Baptist ministry couples by bringing the Refresh Retreat to the Caribe Hilton in San Juan.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Broadway Baptist Church in Gainesville was established in 1964. It was one of ten new churches planted in the Chattahoochee Baptist Association in the years following WWII. The church later changed its name to Trinity Baptist.

ISAAN, Thailand—Noei was a housekeeper for an International Mission Board worker in Bangkok, Thailand, for many years when she accepted Christ as her Savior. 

CLEVELAND, Ga. — On Saturday night, Nov. 16, faculty, students, alumni, and donors gathered in the Harris Athletic Complex to celebrate the success of the Keys for Mission campaign and to dedicate the newly purchased pianos to the glory of God. The night and campaign was held in honor of Dr. Becky Lombard, who served in various positions at Truett McConnell University for over 14 years.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP) — Buddy heaters, blankets, and winter clothing are among the items being distributed by Baptists to those dealing with western North Carolina’s first cold blast of the season amid recovery from Hurricane Helene.

PADUCAH, Ky. (KT) – The gospel waves continue to crest from the Hope for West Kentucky crusade on Nov. 10 at the Paducah Convention Center. Decision counselor Brian Arnett of Paducah was able to celebrate with a friend who had been in his prayers the past couple of months.

AUSTIN, Nev. — Smack dab in the middle of Nevada is the tiny town of Austin, home to First Baptist Church, where Charles Vaughn has been pastor since 2008. The population has declined to about 100 people, down from 167 four years ago. Fifteen to 25 people attend services.

GARLAND, Texas — For the third consecutive year, volunteers from First Baptist Church in Garland will travel to eastern Europe to bring Christmas joy to Ukrainian refugee children.

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Like many churches in the path of Hurricane Milton, Tri-City Baptist Church in Punta Gorda was hit hard. On Friday morning after the storm, volunteers from the church began dry-out efforts from storm flooding. By Sunday, they were feeling tired and weary.

In Northern Nigeria, clean water is a rare commodity. According to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, approximately 60% of the region is without reliable access to safe drinking water.