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SBC

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 […]

SBC leaders touring Israel await airport reopening

March 2, 2026 By Brandon Porter, Baptist Press

Submitted photo

Jerusalem | A group of Southern Baptist pastors and their spouses, including former Send Relief President Bryant Wright, sheltered in place in Jerusalem Saturday morning (Feb. 28) as the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Within hours, Iran responded with strikes on U.S. and Israeli targets across the Middle East. Bryant is […]

‘Habits’ author at FBC O’Fallon

February 27, 2026 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Elizabeth Woodson

Author and teacher Elizabeth Woodson will speak March 2 at First Baptist Church of O’Fallon. Her new book Habits of Resistance: 7 Ways You’re Being Formed By Culture and Gospel Practices to Help You Push Back identifies detrimental ways the culture is shaping Christians with false gospels that they may not recognize. She shares how […]

Supreme Court declines McRaney case, ending lawsuit against NAMB

February 24, 2026 By Scott Barkley

Supreme Court

Washington, D.C. | The U.S. Supreme Court declined today to hear a years-long case brought by former Baptist state convention executive director Will McRaney against the North American Mission Board, upholding an appeals court’s decision to dismiss and essentially closing out the case. Two judges in a three-judge panel for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a […]

Messenger, childcare registration open for SBC26

February 4, 2026 By Scott Barkley

Orange County Convention Center

Orlando | Pre-registration for messengers and childcare opened Monday (Feb. 2) as Southern Baptists continue preparations for the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting, June 7-10 at the Orange County Convention Center. Directions for pre-registering and the information needed to do so are available and linked to SBCAnnualMeeting.net. Registration with Giant Cow provides events and care for children 12 and […]

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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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