Churches across the Southern Baptist Convention and beyond are having weekend gatherings for their students called Disciple Now or “DNow” retreats. These retreats provide the students with a unique environment for worship, Bible study, fellowship, evangelism, and, in some cases, service projects.

Mention the word “fast” today and the conversation might turn to the speed of light, the stride of a cheetah, or someone’s internet connection. Refusing to eat, however, is usually the furthest thing from our minds.

Before Tom Peters introduced the term “MBWA” (Management by Wandering Around) in 1982, Ben Cates had been honing the practice for decades. 

On my list of retirement adventures is travelling to Florida to watch the Atlanta Braves in Spring training action. I got to attend my first Spring training game on March 2nd when the Braves blasted the New York Yankees 11-1.

For many churches, men’s ministry revolves around events—breakfasts, retreats, conferences, and service projects. While these gatherings provide fellowship and encouragement, they often lack a deeper discipleship focus.

A recent sermon series through the Beatitudes struck a personal chord with me that I hope echoes throughout our congregation for months into the future. Speaking about life in the family of God, Jesus offers eight specific blessings for His followers that are admittedly counterintuitive.

Five years ago, I stepped off a church bus filled with Baptist pastors into a Seventh-day Adventist Church. (No, we weren’t rethinking our view of the Sabbath.) We were there to meet with the leadership of a new church plant called “Gospel Hope.” They were renting space to meet on Sundays since the building was available. We piled into a “Saturday School” room and listened to Gospel Hope’s pastor, Ryan McCammack. 

Insecurity is less of an either/or issue in the lives of most ministry leaders, but more of a reality on a spectrum. While not all leaders are debilitatingly insecure, most battle this malady at some level. 

WOODSTOCK, Ga - Dr. Abby Johnson, a highly influential national leader in the pro-life movement who is famous for the movie Unplanned (which is about her life) will be the keynote speaker for the Marietta 40 Days For Life Kick-off event at First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Ga. on March 2.

A man was in a supermarket pushing a cart which contained, along with a few groceries, a screaming child. As he walked the aisles, the young dad kept repeating, “Keep calm, George. Don’t get excited, George. Don’t yell, George.”

At times, part of a song gets “stuck” in my mind and I keep repeating it over and over. I am sure you experience the same thing. But as I get older I realize more and more how the Lord God uses all kinds of things to impress us with His purposes. For several weeks now I keep repeating in my mind, “And my unworthiness.”

His attire was not expected when he walked into the commons area of a hostel in New Hampshire last August. A straw hat was perched on the crown of his head; he was wearing what appeared to be a hand sewed black vest, pants, and a homespun white shirt.

"I am so ready for spring.” “Do you think school will be canceled this week?” “Maybe we will have one more chance to go sledding.” Reactions like these are not uncommon during the winter months.

I’ve never accepted a ministry position that — in the first six months — I didn’t want to go back to what I was doing before.  In fact, if your new ministry position doesn’t require you to grow into it, then I wonder whether the Lord called you to that role.  

The man sitting across from me at a restaurant was picking at his chicken pot pie, talking more than eating. He had a story to tell. He was born on Aug. 20, 1944, in a hospital in Fayetteville, N.C. His mother packed up her things and left him there

ATLANTA, Ga. —  Georgia Baptists are once again looking forward to participating in The March for Life at the State Capitol. This event will be held in coordination with National March for Life, on Thursday, March 6, 2025. The rally will take place at 11 am at the Liberty Plaza, across from the Georgia Capitol building. The march in Atlanta will start at noon.

​I love this time of year! Spring is on the way, bringing warmer temperatures, baseball season, greening lawns, pretty flowers and the celebration of Easter. Easter is a big moment for pastors! We love to see a full house and preach on the resurrection of Jesus.

Whenever I’m preaching and I need to make a point about the beauty of the church in action, I often refer to the image of God’s people with arms outstretched running toward places of deepest pain and suffering — being first on the scene after a disaster, bringing hope and healing through physical and tangible expressions of love in times of darkness.

It’s Sunday afternoon at your church, and everyone has gathered for a potluck. All the food offerings at the event are laid out properly, from deviled eggs to three types of mac and cheese, from cookies still in their plastic containers from the store to fresh famous banana pudding from your most tenured potluck contributor. As you turn to sit down, you see a single adult at their table for one in the corner.

Dr. Charles Stanley (The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life) said, “To walk in the Spirit requires a moment-by-moment sensitivity to and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Spiritual fruit is the proof.” Christians can never produce this fruit; they can only bear it. The Holy Spirit is the only One who produces it.

I had an interesting experience a few days ago while eating at a Mexican restaurant with a KBC pastor in one of our Kentucky counties.  As is my custom, I learned the name of our server and offered to pray for her. The pastor already knew her and was doing his best to communicate in her native tongue.

I always learn something when I go to a funeral service, a memorial service, a celebration of life service. It certainly helps me to get in touch with my mortality; and most of the time, gives me a glimpse of eternity.

The best thing that could ever happen to you is to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. To be certain that your sins have been forgiven and that your names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Bible teachers are not just transferring information from leader to learner—they are the lead disciple-maker of the group. Teachers that make the biggest impact through teaching are men and women of God who understand that their role extends beyond the one hour teaching experience once a week.

At Send Network, we’re driven by one mission: helping churches plant churches everywhere for everyone. It’s not just what we do—it’s who we are. Together, as a family of churches, we’re joining God in His redemptive work to expand His kingdom in North America and the nations.