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Articles by Brandon Porter
South Central Baptists launch Chatterbox into the disaster relief orbit
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (KT) – Where do people turn when a disaster knocks out their ability to communicate by phone, text or email? Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief workers in South Central Kentucky believe they have an answer. The South Central Baptist Association (SCBA) unveiled a communications unit called Chatterbox on Thursday. It’s equipped with solar power charging stations, Starlink internet, a cell phone signal booster and a Voice Over IP phone system.
LEGAL UPDATES: S.C. lawsuit dismissed; Settlement Conference set in Sills case
Lawsuit naming SBC dismissed in South Carolina PAWLEYS ISLAND, S,C. (BP) – A lawsuit naming the Southern Baptist Convention and its Executive Committee, among other defendants, has been dismissed. Additional defendants were Pawleys Island Community Church, Pawleys Island Christian Academy (PICA), former senior pastor Donald James Williams, his wife Virginia Lee “Ginny” Williams, former academy director Jennifer “Niki” Howard, unnamed church elders and Warren Spencer Perry. The suit, filed Aug.
Catching the vision: Immanuel Baptist’s salvation story
CORBIN, Ky. (KT) – It all started with a prayer. It was a prayer asking God to provide clear opportunities to share the gospel. “John Owens, our Williamsburg campus pastor, suggested that we pray for 300 people to come to faith over the next year,” said Allen Bonnell, Immanuel Baptist Church’s lead pastor.
SBC President Willy Rice reminds NOBTS students of the need for shepherds
NEW ORLEANS – Willy Rice, a two-time graduate of NOBTS and president of the Southern Baptist Convention, reminded students of the vital need for pastors around the Convention during his chapel address Tuesday, Sept. 1. “I’ve come today to hang a ‘help wanted’ sign above the door of the Southern Baptist Convention,” said Rice, who serves as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Fla.
Rice announces formation of Commission on Women Serving in Pastoral Ministry
CLEARWATER, Fla. (BP) – Southern Baptist Convention President Willy Rice has announced the formation of a group whose goal is “to help Southern Baptists achieve greater clarity and consensus around historic Baptist convictions, grounded in Scripture, concerning the office of pastor and women serving in ministry.” The SBC Presidential Commission on Women Serving in Pastoral Ministry will be chaired by Juan Sanchez, pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas.
Willy Rice elected SBC president
ORLANDO (BP) – Florida pastor Willy Rice has been elected SBC president. Rice follows North Carolina pastor Clint Pressley, who served two terms in the role. Rice received 5,271 votes while Powell received 3,821 votes. There were 9,063 total ballots and 25 were disallowed. Rice serves as senior pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Fla. Rice was nominated by Adrian Taylor, pastor of Spring Hill Church in Gainesville, Fla.
Resolutions Committee releases slate for 2026 SBC annual meeting
NASHVILLE (BP) — The slate of resolutions for the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting has been released by the committee appointed by SBC President Clint Pressley. The group has released resolutions dealing with current SBC topics such as the office of the pastor and disability ministry along with cultural topics like immigration, political violence and artificial intelligence. Committee Chair Hunter Baker said the group listened to resolution submitters.
Free devotional resource urges unity at the 2026 SBC annual meeting
BP file photo. Paul Juarez from First Baptist Church, Denton, Texas, raises his hand in worship during the 2025 SBC Pastors’ Conference in Dallas. ORLANDO (BP) — Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting will be faced with dozens of decisions and much discussion. The Worship Initiative is offering a resource leaders hope will help prepare the hearts of those decision makers as they travel to the meeting.
Kentucky Pastor Austin Rouse to Be Nominated for SBC 2nd VP
Kentucky pastor Austin Rouse will be nominated for second vice president at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando. Rouse is the pastor of families and students at Southern Heights Baptist in Russellville, Ky. Fellow Kentucky pastor Michael Shultz, senior pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Lewisburg, plans to nominate Rouse.
Kentucky pastor Austin Rouse to be nominated for SBC 2nd VP
LEWISBURG, Ky. (BP) — Kentucky pastor Austin Rouse will be nominated for second vice president at the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting in Orlando. Rouse is the pastor of families and students at Southern Heights Baptist in Russellville, Ky. Fellow Kentucky pastor Michael Shultz, senior pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Lewisburg, plans to nominate Rouse.
Kentucky pastor Austin Rouse to be nominated for SBC 2nd VP
LEWISBURG, Ky. (BP) – Kentucky pastor Austin Rouse will be nominated for second vice president at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando. Rouse is the pastor of families and students at Southern Heights Baptist in Russellville, Ky. Fellow Kentucky pastor Michael Shultz, senior pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Lewisburg, plans to nominate Rouse.
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Forces for Good Summit aims to equip churches for sexual abuse prevention, response
This article was originally written by Brandon Porter and published to the Baptist Press. Above: Southern Baptists of Texas Sexual Abuse Advisor Joyce McKinley listens during the sessions at the Forces for Good Summit at Southwestern Seminary Feb. 25. Photo by Brandon Porter. FORT WORTH – A desire to eliminate sexual abuse in the local church and to be prepared to care for survivors permeated the Forces for Good Summit Feb. 24-25 at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Former worship pastor in Owensboro takes own life after sexual abuse charges
OWENSBORO, Ky. – The former worship pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church who was arrested Monday on multiple sexual abuse charges took his own life Thursday morning, according to the Kentucky State Police.
Preparing for the Unexpected in Your Worship Service
The choir was singing while we were in the middle of serving the Lord’s Supper one Sunday morning. The ushers were halfway down the middle aisle when the sanctuary’s rear doors flew open and a young man stepped in the aisle and began yelling. “You are prophets of doom,” he shouted. “This is a place of lies,” he exclaimed. I was sitting in a corner of the room. Another associate pastor was in the other corner. Immediately, our eyes met and we rose, simultaneously moving toward the man.
Social media post deemed racist receives Southern Baptist response
Southern Baptist leaders pointed to the evils of racism following a now deleted post on Pres. Trump’s social media page Friday. “Nearly all of the 62-second clip appears to be from a conservative video alleging deliberate tampering with voting machines in battleground states as 2020 votes were tallied. At the 60-second mark is a quick scene of two jungle primates, with the Obamas’ smiling faces imposed on them,” the Associated Press reported. The video was removed by midday.
Social media post deemed racist receives Southern Baptist response
Baptist Press file photo. WASHINGTON (BP) — Southern Baptist leaders pointed to the evils of racism following a now deleted post on President Donald Trump’s social media page Friday. “Nearly all of the 62-second clip appears to be from a conservative video alleging deliberate tampering with voting machines in battleground states as 2020 votes were tallied.
Preparing for the unexpected in your worship service
The choir was singing while we were in the middle of serving the Lord’s Supper one Sunday morning. The ushers were halfway down the middle aisle when the sanctuary’s rear doors flew open and a young man stepped in the aisle and began yelling. “You are prophets of doom,” he shouted. “This is a place of lies,” he exclaimed. I was sitting in a corner of the room. Another associate pastor was in the other corner. Immediately, our eyes met and we rose, simultaneously moving toward the man.
EDITORIAL: Protesting has its place, but it’s not inside churches
Americans cherish the right to protest. It is woven into the fabric of our democracy and protected by the Constitution. But that right does not extend to barging into a church during worship, shouting down a congregation and traumatizing families gathered in prayer. What happened Jan. 18 at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn., was not peaceful protest. It was intimidation — pure and simple.
ICE Protestors Disrupt Minnesota Worship Service
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” throughout the video. According to Lemon, the protestors interrupted the opening prayer of the Sunday worship service.
ICE protestors disrupt Minnesota worship service
ST. PAUL, Minn. (BP) – An anti-ICE protest disrupted the morning worship service at Cities Church Sunday morning. 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” throughout the video. According to Lemon, the protestors interrupted the opening prayer of the Sunday worship service.
HUD policies to be more friendly to churches in 2026
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it will be more open to faith-based organizations as it provides funding aimed at caring for the homeless in 2026. “Our philosophy for addressing the homelessness crisis will now define success not by dollars spent or housing units filled, but by how many people achieve long-term self-sufficiency and recovery,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner in a press release. In a Nov.
ERLC trustees call interim president, form immigration-related task force
WASHINGTON (BP) — Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) trustees named an interim president, voted to form a task force to study biblical immigration and unveiled a new Psalm 139 initiative during their meeting Sept. 15-17. Retired South Carolina Executive Director Gary Hollingsworth was unanimously voted to become the entity’s interim president starting Oct. 1. “I do believe (Southern Baptists) desperately need the voice and the work of the ERLC,” Hollingsworth told Baptist Press.
Are you worried finding your next meal will be a struggle? Know someone who is? If food insecurity doesn’t affect you, it probably affects someone you know. International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood says the global hunger crisis is the worst it has been in four decades. “Two billion people around the world today live on a single (daily) meal,” he told Baptist Press. Sunday, Aug. 24 is on the SBC Emphasis Calendar.
‘Walking Worthy’ to be theme of 2026 SBC annual meeting
ORLANDO, Fla. (BP) — Southern Baptist leaders from across the country joined with Florida Baptists on Aug. 12 to hear how they can be a part of the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting.
Jennifer Lyell dies after brief illness
NASHVILLE (BP) – A key figure in the Southern Baptist Convention’s investigation into the alleged mishandling of sexual abuse has died. Sources confirm to Baptist Press that Jennifer Lyell died late Saturday after a significant stroke. In 2018, Lyell told Baptist Press she had been sexually abused by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professor David Sills while she was a student at the school.
Salt Lake City construction plans force proposed change for 2027 SBC Annual Meeting
NASHVILLE (BP) – A major renovation project is forcing the SBC Annual Meeting to move from Salt Lake City in 2027, according to the SBC Executive Committee. Messengers to the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting will be asked to allow the meeting to move to Indianapolis, the 2024 host city. “We regret the annual meeting had to move from the western part of the country, but we were unable to find any options in the West on such short notice,” SBC Executive Committee President Jeff Iorg told Baptist Press.
Relief efforts underway in Kentucky and Missouri following deadly storms
NASHVILLE (BP) – Search and rescue efforts continue across Kentucky even as recovery efforts have begun in Missouri following deadly storms that swept across the region May 16-17. More than 25 people were killed by the storms and thousands suffered injury and loss. Send Relief’s St. Louis Ministry Center director Traci Byrd asked for prayer for those affected by the storms and that local churches will have opportunity to respond to the needs in the community.
National Day of Prayer set for May 1
The 2025 national theme is based on Romans 15:13 and is a call for Christians to ask God to fill His people with the Holy Spirit so they may be a source of hope, joy and power for all. “Prayer is a privilege and a discipline for Christians. Having access to God is a great gift,” SBC Executive Committee President Jeff Iorg told Baptist Press. “Southern Baptists are people of prayer and I’m grateful for the many people who tell me they are praying for me.
National Day of Prayer set for Thursday
NASHVILLE (BP) – The National Day of Prayer will be Thursday. Christians all over the country will gather in or near courthouses, city squares and other central locations to cry to God for His blessing, forgiveness and leadership in their communities, churches, homes and governments. The 2025 national theme is based on Romans 15:13 and is a call for Christians to ask God to fill His people with the Holy Spirit so they may be a source of hope, joy and power for all.
National Day of Prayer set for May 1
NASHVILLE (BP) — The National Day of Prayer (NDOP) will be Thursday, May 1. Christians all over the country will gather in or near courthouses, city squares and other central locations to cry to God for His blessing, forgiveness and leadership in their communities, churches, homes and governments. The 2025 national theme is based on Romans 15:13 and is a call for Christians to ask God to fill His people with the Holy Spirit so they may be a source of hope, joy and power for all.
Missourian Don Currence to be nominated as SBC Registration Secretary
WHITEHOUSE, Texas (BP) – Larry Craig, a member of Whitehouse Baptist Fellowship, has announced he will nominate Missouri pastor Don Currence to serve another term as the Southern Baptist Convention’s Registration Secretary. The nomination will be made at the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas. Currence “continues to serve our convention with dedication and integrity,” Craig said.
Don Currence to be nominated as SBC Registration Secretary
WHITEHOUSE, Texas (BP) — Larry Craig, a member of Whitehouse Baptist Fellowship, has announced he will nominate Missouri pastor Don Currence to serve another term as the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) Registration Secretary. The nomination will be made at the 2025 SBC annual meeting in Dallas. Currence “continues to serve our convention with dedication and integrity,” Craig said.
Don Currence to be nominated as SBC Registration Secretary
WHITEHOUSE, Texas (BP) – Larry Craig, a member of Whitehouse Baptist Fellowship, has announced he will nominate Missouri pastor Don Currence to serve another term as the Southern Baptist Convention’s Registration Secretary. The nomination will be made at the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas. Currence “continues to serve our convention with dedication and integrity,” Craig said.
Hannibal-LaGrange University removed from probation
HANNIBAL, Mo. (BP) — An independent agency that accredits degree-granting institutions in the United States has removed Hannibal-LaGrange University from probation. An assessment team with the Higher Learning Commission noted the efforts of the Missouri Baptist Convention-affiliated school, HGLU reported.
FIRST-PERSON: Pursuing peace, perspective and patience following the election
We host one of our church’s small groups in our home every week. As you might imagine, the election was a topic of discussion on Wednesday night. Our group is widely varied by age and gender. It includes several public school teachers and some students. The conversation was interesting as I heard how students and teachers were reacting to the results of the election and how these fellow church members were interacting.
Skillet prepares for different kind of Revolution; single debuts No. 1 on iTunes rock chart
NASHVILLE (BP) – Skillet frontman John Cooper says the band wants a revolution. And from recent indications on Apple Music, fans agree. The band has a new album called Revolution coming in November but its first single debuted at No. 1 on the Apple iTunes rock and music video charts in August. Ironically, the song is called “Unpopular.” “I want to make very clear to people that this revolution … is not a political revolution,” Cooper told Baptist Press.
Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination
CHICAGO (BP) – Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination during her Thursday night (Aug. 22) speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Harris, who secured the necessary number of delegates after an online vote earlier this summer, becomes the first woman of color to lead a major party’s ticket.
A Texas kickoff for the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – The 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas will feature a 100th anniversary celebration of the Cooperative Program and President Clint Pressley presiding over his first annual meeting. Dozens of key leaders met at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Thursday (Aug. 22) for a kickoff to begin preparations for the June meeting.
A Texas kickoff for the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – The 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas will feature a 100th anniversary celebration of the Cooperative Program and President Clint Pressley presiding over his first annual meeting. Dozens of key leaders met at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Thursday (Aug. 22) for a kickoff to begin preparations for the June meeting.
FIRST-PERSON: Celebrating abortion in Chicago
The St. Louis area chapter of Planned Parenthood is setting up a mobile clinic just steps from the United Center where the Democratic National Convention is happening this week. I was shocked to learn that PP was offering free vasectomies, medication abortion and emergency contraception (the morning after pill) in the shadow of the convention center. A New York Times article says the idea is so popular that there is a waiting list for vasectomies.
FIRST-PERSON: Celebrating abortion in Chicago
The St. Louis area chapter of Planned Parenthood (PP) is setting up a mobile clinic just steps from the United Center where the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is happening this week. I was shocked to learn that PP was offering free vasectomies, medication abortion and emergency contraception (the morning after pill) in the shadow of the convention center. A New York Times article says the idea is so popular that there is a waiting list for vasectomies.
Harris-Walz a 'markedly progressive ticket,' Leatherwood says
WASHINGTON (BP) – Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate in the November election. The announcement comes less than a day after Harris officially secured the nomination of the Democratic Party. President Joe Biden announced July 21 he would not seek re-election and endorsed Harris. Walz called it “the honor of a lifetime” to join Harris on the ticket. “I’m all in.
‘Don’t get rattled’ by market volatility says GuideStone portfolio manager
DALLAS (BP) – Though markets are uneasy, a financial analyst with GuideStone Financial Resources urges calm. The confluence of high inflation, a weak labor report and the unwinding of a carry trade with roots in Japan has caused financial markets in the United State and around the world to shudder. “The Federal Reserve’s mandate is price stability and full employment,” said Josh Chastant, portfolio manager for GuideStone.
Iowa law banning most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy to take effect Monday
Metadata: Topic(s): AbortionFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa judge has ruled the state’s strict abortion law will take effect Monday, preventing most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. The law passed last year, but a judge had blocked it from being enforced. The Iowa Supreme Court reiterated in June that there is no constitutional right to an abortion in the state and ordered the hold to be lifted.
With Leatherwood still at the helm, ERLC executive committee addresses leadership confusion
NASHVILLE (BP) – Members of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s executive committee acknowledge the events of the last 24 hours have brought confusion and frustration as conflicting press releases have tried to clarify that Brent Leatherwood is still at the helm of the SBC entity. “We know that these events have shaken trust in the executive committee, the trustee board, and the organization especially.
Appeals court hears Christian homeless shelter's challenge to Washington anti-discrimination law
Metadata: Topic(s): Religious LibertyFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Lawyers for a Christian homeless shelter were in federal appeals court July 19 to challenge a Washington state anti-discrimination law that would require the charity to hire LGBTQ+ people and others who don’t share its religious beliefs, including those on sexuality and marriage.
Prayer and meditation
Can Christians meditate in prayer? The eastern practice of meditation associated with Yoga and Hinduism has gone mainstream in American culture. Consider, for instance, this meditation advice, “If your mind gets caught in a chain of thoughts, gently step out of the thought stream and come back to your breath.” That counsel was not given by a guru leaning into Dhyana on a mat in a Yoga center in New Delhi; instead, it is a recommended business practice advocated in Forbes Magazine.
Southern Baptist leaders respond to RNC’s potential pro-life public policy shift
MILWAUKEE (BP) – A release of the Republican National Convention’s (RNC) platform reveals a potential shift in the party’s focus on a federal abortion ban. The announcement came hours after the RNC’s platform committee met on Monday morning, July 8. “We proudly stand for families and life.
Southern Baptist leaders respond to RNC’s potential pro-life public policy shift
MILWAUKEE (BP) – A release of the Republican National Convention’s (RNC) platform reveals a potential shift in the party’s focus on a federal abortion ban. The announcement came hours after the RNC’s platform committee met on Monday morning. “We proudly stand for families and life.
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