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BP interviews the SBC ’26 presidential candidates

May 19, 2026 By Scott Barkley

SBC26 Orlando

Baptist Press recently interviewed Pastors Josh Powell and Willy Rice, the two announced candidates for SBC president, asking their takes on current issues in the SBC including the Cooperative Program and women pastors. Read what they said below and find links to watch the full interviews. The vote to elect the next SBC president is […]

Mohler to call for ‘Truth & Unity’ amendment to SBC Constitution

May 18, 2026 By Scott Barkley

Albert Mohler

Orlando | Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler announced his intention May 18 to propose an amendment to Article III of the SBC Constitution that, he said, “would make clear” how cooperating Southern Baptist churches will view the role of women in the office of pastor/elder/overseer. Such churches, Mohler said, would not “act to […]

SBC Pastors’ Conference adds micro conferences to serve entire church staff

April 15, 2026 By Scott Barkley

2026 SBCPC

Orlando | The SBC Pastors’ Conference theme of “Together” will be evident through the addition of micro conferences for ministry areas, creating specific opportunities to serve those outside the role of lead pastor. The Pastors’ Conference has always been an event for all, regardless of ministry position, and President Aaron Burgner says he has always […]

State Department urges Americans to leave 14 Middle Eastern countries

March 3, 2026 By Scott Barkley

Middle East

As fighting escalates in the Middle East since U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran began on Feb. 28, so has the number of countries Americans are being advised to leave or avoid. The U.S. Department of State released a list of 14 countries on March 2, urging American citizens to depart them immediately on available commercial transportation. […]

Group of SBC leaders caught amid Iran attacks now headed back to U.S.

March 2, 2026 By Scott Barkley

Submitted photo

Cairo, Egypt | After 17 trips to a bomb shelter over 36 hours and a man named Moses leading them into Egypt, a group of weary pastors and their wives are headed back to the United States. Members of the group led by former Send Relief President Bryant Wright had just finished taking rooftop pictures from […]

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Featured Columns

Scott Foshie

Two ways shared service works

Scott Foshie

This month, thousands of messengers and guests from around the SBC will converge in Orlando for our annual time of celebration, prayer, and family decision making. There will be lively debates, nomination speeches, and votes on multiple issues. However, the part I look forward to the most about our family meetings is the fellowship, worship, […]

Blackabys

Less produces more

Eric Reed

Richard Blackaby challenged the IBSA staff at our annual Spiritual Focus Day. “If glorifying God is the goal of life, how do I increase that each year?” For all of us in ministry, especially those who set goals and count results and live by metrics, that’s a tough question. Can we always do more than […]

SBC ’26: What we’re watching

Illinois Baptist Staff

The question at the Illinois Baptist each spring is “What do you think will come up at the convention?” Some things are obvious, because they’re on the agenda—such as the presidential election. Pastors Josh Powell and Willy Rice are in the ring. There have been no surprise announcements so far, unlike 2024 when we had […]

More Columns

SBC: Three takeaways from Orlando

Eric Reed

Orlando | What could have been a divisive annual meeting proved to be unified in three ways: Messengers voted by large margins on big issues. They approved two measures bringing new attention to gospel ministry for disabled people. Rejecting a slew of efforts to study secondary issues, the convention kept missions and missionaries at the […]

News

Nominees

Nominees sought for IBSA Boards & Committees

Illinois Baptist Staff

The Illinois Baptist State Association is seeking recommendations to fill positions on its boards and committees. To submit a name, complete the Nominating Form found at IBSA.org/about/organization or click here to go directly to the form. IBSA’s Nominating Committee recommends people to serve on the Association’s three boards: IBSA, the Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI), and Baptist Children’s Home and […]

SBC: Illinoisans join Crossover outreach

Mohler narrows amendment to preaching, resolution addresses women’s roles

More News Stories

Mission

“While we have not yet arrived at the destination we envision, I believe we are clearly headed in the right direction,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood to trustees in the May 22 plenary session. IMB Photo

IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect first woman chair

Leslie Caldwell

Richmond | International Mission Board trustees approved 65 fully funded missionaries for appointment during their May 21-22 meeting near Richmond, Virginia. The missionaries approved for appointment will be recognized during a Sending Celebration on Tuesday, June 10, at 10:08 a.m. CDT in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas. The event will […]

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

More Mission Stories

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