Maui, Hawaii | As wildfires raged out of control in Lahaina, local churches on the Hawaiian island of Maui that were outside the burn area immediately began grappling how they would respond. “We’re not going back to normal,” Pastor Jay Haynes of Kahului Baptist Church said. “There’s not really ‘going back to normal.’ There’s no […]
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ARITF begins vetting process for Ministry Check website
Nashville, Tenn. | Names and background information for potential inclusion at sbcabuseprevention.com are currently being processed prior to publication, said a statement by the group tasked with its implementation. The Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) held an in-person meeting on Aug. 28 in Dallas, Chairman Joshua Wester confirmed with Baptist Press. It was the group’s first gathering […]
Summer camp brings in harvest at Auburn church
Auburn | For Pastor David Van Bebber this summer was all about investing in the lives of young people in his community and then watching as God prepared the harvest. His church sent 22 students to summer camp in late June, and by mid-August saw nine students accept Christ and baptized six of them. Van […]
EC conducting internal investigation related to Willie McLaurin
Nashville, Tenn. | The SBC Executive Committee has begun an investigation into the circumstances leading to the resignation of Willie McLaurin. McLaurin resigned on Aug. 17 after confessing to falsifying his education background. He was serving as the interim president and CEO and was thought to be the leading candidate for the permanent role. He had served the […]
Church staffer dismissed during criminal investigation
Marion | The executive pastor of Cornerstone Church in Marion was dismissed after allegations of inappropriate behavior involving church members who were under age 18 at the time. The allegations were brought to the church leadership team late last week. After investigation by the elders and their engagement with local law enforcement, Tivo McCrary was […]