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Culture

Severe weekend weather forecasts prompt Disaster Relief prep

January 22, 2026 By Scott Barkley

Winter storm

Nashville, Tenn. (BP) | One year ago, residents along the Gulf Coast were having fun in the rarest-of-rare snow events. That mood is different today for those in areas forecast to receive severe winter weather this weekend, with predictions of freezing rain and snow accumulations in feet, not inches. The lines of precipitation and amounts continue […]

ICE protestors disrupt Minnesota worship service

January 18, 2026 By Brandon Porter, Baptist Press

YouTube screen capture via BP

Editor’s note: This story has been updated. St. Paul, Minn. (BP) | An anti-ICE protest disrupted the morning worship service at Cities Church Sunday morning (Jan. 18). Former CNN anchor Don Lemon livestreamed a portion of the event from inside the church building on YouTube. Protestors could be heard chanting, “Hands up, don’t shoot” and “ICE out” […]

Reaching ‘Across State Lines’ could save lives

January 14, 2026 By Lisa Misner

Across State Lines

Many Americans have observed a profound cultural shift since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs decision in June 2022, deepening divisions between pro-life and pro-choice states. In pro-choice states like Illinois—which had already enacted multiple protective laws for abortion access—leaders pledged to expand those protections further. They have kept that […]

News stories in the new year that we’re watching for new developments

January 6, 2026 By Illinois Baptist Staff

2026

SBC: Déjà vu, all over again? This is one of those years the denomination will see a lot of change at the top. New heads are expected at Lifeway Christian Resources and Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, which are being led by interim presidents, and at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Woman’s Missionary Union, where […]

Clergy Act advances

December 18, 2025 By Roy Hayhurst

BP file photo by Roy Burroughs

Dallas | The House Ways and Means Committee advanced the Clergy Act, H.R. 227, in a bipartisan, unanimous vote on Dec. 10. The Clergy Act would provide ministers who opted out of Social Security a one-time window to opt back in. The bipartisan legislation was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by California Congressmen […]

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Featured Columns

A Committed Church: 2 Timothy 2:1-4

Maurice Gaiter

In a recent trip to Haiti, I heard a Haitian pastor illustrate to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ. A man wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man wanted to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn’t afford the full price. After much bargaining, the owner agreed to […]

Paul Cooper

What’s greater than independence? Hebrews 10:19-25

Paul Cooper

We got news from my sister in New Mexico, and my brother, Dave, immediately called me. He wanted to see her, but the 20-hour drive was too hard to do alone. It would be easier with his brother. We could share the load. Even so, we would spend more than half our time on the […]

Our nation’s half-celebration at 250

Eric Reed

During these red, white, and blue months, YouTube keeps sending me a video clip. It’s King George’s solo from the musical “Hamilton.” Amid endless rapping and stamping of boots and swishing of tailcoats by Founding Fathers, a lone figure walks slowly to center stage, decked in satin knee breeches, ermine cape, and a crown. And […]

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SBU President called to Moody

Eric Reed

Chicago | A Baptist will be the new president of Moody Bible Institute (MBI) starting August 17. Rick Melson will leave his role at Southwest Baptist University (SBU) in Bolivar, Missouri for the post vacated by Chicago pastor Mark Jobe after seven years. Melson, with Baptist roots, joins the independent evangelical school founded by Dwight […]

News

Photo courtesy of Michael Byrd

Former IBSA Pastors Conference speaker, Send St. Louis church planter, announced as historic AMS appointment

Scott Barkley

Ferguson, Mo. | Michael T. Byrd, Sr.’s background in ministry began as a 19-year-old preacher before moving into the pastorate and associational work, all in his native St. Louis. It’s that experience he’s eager to put into practice as the new executive director of the St. Louis Metro Baptist Association. He told Baptist Press that […]

Mindy Cobb’s endless summer

New Illinois laws raise concerns for Baptists

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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