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Articles by Diana Chandler
Study: Job satisfaction, finances continue to challenge pastors
Published Thursday, August 6, 2026 By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press DALLAS – Vocational satisfaction, mental health and relational well-being continue to challenge pastors despite growing assurance in their calling, with many pastors under 45 also citing financial concerns.
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Steve Leftwich is retiring after 51 years of serving in ministry and 14 1/2 years as pastor of Chapel of the Hills in Buchanan Dam.
Suicide attempts, clinical depression - pastors’ mental health at forefront
DALLAS (BP) – Most Wednesdays, Chris Hilliard finalized plans for evening Bible study at the church he’s pastored in North Carolina for nearly a decade, but on the Wednesday of Feb. 12, he instead “tried to O.D. on medication,” he told Baptist Press. “I say tried,” he emphasized.
‘Safeguarding the Next Generation’ from abuse explored in SBC 2025 event
DALLAS (BP) – Over 45 million online images of childhood sexual abuse were reported by tech companies in 2019, more than double the reports the previous year, and up from 3,000 a decade before, the New York Times wrote in 2019. Pornography is a major driver of childhood sexual abuse, according to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), adversely impacting all within its path.
‘Safeguarding the Next Generation’ from abuse explored in SBC 2025 event
DALLAS (BP) — Over 45 million online images of childhood sexual abuse were reported by tech companies in 2019, more than double the reports the previous year, and up from 3,000 a decade before, the New York Times wrote in 2019. Pornography is a major driver of childhood sexual abuse, according to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), adversely impacting all within its path.
Texas House nullifies NDAs in sexual abuse cases
AUSTIN (BP)—The Texas House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill banning nondisclosure clauses in sexual abuse settlement agreements April 8. Known as Trey’s Law, the bill outlaws the use of nondisclosure agreements in settlement agreements regarding sexual abuse, regardless of the age of the abused.
Churches losing members as humanitarian parole ends
MIAMI (BP)—They are pastors, deacons and other clergy, actively working among the 500 Haitian churches in the Southern Baptist Convention—at least for another four weeks. They are active ministers and members of the 3,500 Hispanic congregations—Nicaraguans, Venezuelans and Cubans—that have united with the SBC.
Ukrainian city enlists ministry as spiritual first responders
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (BP)—The mayor of a city in southeastern Ukraine enlisted a Christian humanitarian and evangelistic ministry to serve as spiritual first responders to traumatized or injured civilians in the war zone. Zaporizhzhia is vulnerable to Russian attack, adjacent to cities in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast and a treasured nuclear power plant Russia captured since renewing its assault on Ukraine in February 2022. As recently as Jan.
Nigerian Christians seek clemency for farmer facing death
ADAMAWA STATE, Nigeria (BP)—Nigerian Christian leaders are seeking clemency for a Christian farmer given the death sentence for killing a Fulani herdsman during an attack on his farm, it was widely reported. The Nigerian Supreme Court upheld the death sentence March 7 for Sunday Jackson, a farmer in Adamawa, who was a 20-year-old student with a pregnant wife when Fulani herdsmen attacked him on the couple’s farm.
Report confirms Russia violates Ukraine religious freedom
Torturing and killing pastors and priests, prosecuting residents for exercising religious freedom, banning worship and entire religious communities, closing churches, prosecuting missionaries and banning Scripture as extremist literature are among the most egregious atrocities Forum 18 cited in its March religious freedom survey of occupied Ukraine.
Alaska exec resigns after apologizing for earlier statement
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (BP)—Randy Covington has resigned as executive director and treasurer of the Alaska Baptist Resource Network after issuing a public apology Feb. 25. He apologized for a statement he made when the church where he is a member was deemed not to be in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. Alaska Baptist Resource Network Director of Missions and Church Planting Jae McKee told Baptist Press Covington submitted his resignation Feb. 27.
50 Christians killed in Nigeria since late January
KADUNA, Nigeria (BP)—About 50 Christians were killed, dozens kidnapped and homes destroyed since late January in several attacks spanning southern to northern Nigeria, Christian persecution watchdog groups said. At least three pastors were killed in attacks in Kaduna in north-central Nigeria and Gombe in northeastern Nigeria, Christian Daily International-Morning Star News said in separate reports.
Ukrainian orphans can ID missiles by sound, pastor reports
NASHVILLE (BP)—The children of Mykolaiv, Ukraine, were among the first to hear missiles after Russia declared war in 2022. Many—now orphaned—can distinguish missiles just by the sound heard as they pass overhead, a pastor who ministers to them reported. Vyacheslav Nahirniak, pastor of First Baptist Church in Chernivtsi, has hosted 300 children from the Mykolaiv region in a series of summer camps through a partnership with the Mykolaiv regional Department of Education.
Protestants gain respect in Ukraine, delegation tells ERLC
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Protestants, seen as “a fringe” sect in mostly Orthodox Ukraine, have gained traction and respect for their humanitarian aid during Russia’s war on Ukraine, a delegation of governmental and religious leaders said. “The general public has always viewed the Protestant church as fringe or unimportant.
Psalm 139 ‘impactful’ heart song for abortion survivor, minister, father
EDMOND, Okla. (BP) – Mention King David’s exhortation on God’s hand in developing him in his mother’s womb, and Josiah Presley comes to life. “God, you formed my inmost parts. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works. My soul knows it very well,” rolls from Presley’s tongue as if always on the tip.
Find Black history, family devotions and recipes in one book
NASHVILLE (BP)—When the 18th century church planter, evangelist and foreign missionary George Liele was imprisoned in Jamaica, he spread the gospel in prison, reminiscent of the apostle Paul. Liele is among historical African American Christians author Trillia Newbell invites families to center dinner table devotions around in her book, Celebrating Around the Table: Learning the Stories of Black Christians Through Readings, Fellowship, Food, and Faith.
Psalm 139 ‘impactful’ heart song for abortion survivor, minister, father
EDMOND, Okla. (BP) — Mention King David’s exhortation on God’s hand in developing him in his mother’s womb, and Josiah Presley comes to life. “God, you formed my inmost parts. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works. My soul knows it very well,” rolls from Presley’s tongue as if always on the tip.
Hispanic Baptists: ‘Sensitive locations’ rule change hurts
FORT WORTH (BP)—The loss of a rule that prevented officials from entering churches to arrest immigrants accused of being in the United States illegally has hurt the church’s witness, the National Hispanic Baptist Network said Jan. 29 in calling for the rule’s reinstatement.
Iranian Christians suffer sixfold increase in prison time
LONDON (BP)—Christians in Iran suffered combined prison sentences amounting to a sixfold increase over time levied in 2023, all as punishment for their faith, London-based religious advocacy group Article 18 said in its latest annual report. The courts sentenced 96 Christians to a combined 263 years in prison in 2024 on faith-related charges, compared to 22 Christians sentenced in 2023 to a combined 43.5 years, Article 18 said in the report released Jan.
Survivors in Gaza ‘desperate,’ Palestinian pastor says
JERUSALEM (BP)—Crucial humanitarian aid, the phased release of hostages in exchange for prisoners, and an end to Israel’s bombing of Gaza were among the terms of a ceasefire agreement announced Jan. 14 between Israel and Hamas. Christian Mission to Gaza distributed food to 1,000 people in north Gaza and 800 in south Gaza Jan. 14, the same day the tentative ceasefire agreement was announced. Christian Mission to Gaza distributed food to 1,000 people in north Gaza and 800 in south Gaza Jan.
Laws guarding kids from online porn at risk in appeal
WASHINGTON (BP)—Laws in 20 states aimed at shielding minors from online pornography are under fire as the U.S. Supreme Court hears a legal challenge Jan. 15, with the Texas Baptists’ Christian Life Commission joining the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission among many interceding for the Texas law at the center of the case.
Sudan connection drives Amarillo church to aid refugees
AMARILLO (BP)—South Sudanese attending All Nations Worship Church, a ministry of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, know the pain of those displaced by the war in Sudan, which has created the greatest humanitarian crisis globally.
Law barring religious colleges from program challenged
MINNEAPOLIS (BP)—Some Minnesota Christian parents are challenging a state law that blocks certain Christian colleges from a program that allows colleges to enroll high schoolers in tuition-free college credit courses. Through Minnesota’s Post Secondary Enrollment Options program, 10th through 12th graders have been able to take college credit courses tuition-free at state colleges since 1985, according to attorneys at Becket Law.
Dan Darling: Ukrainian church and people resilient in war
KYIV, Ukraine (BP)—Ukrainian Christians are resilient in the lingering war with Russia and yet optimistic of “a just peace,” Southern Baptist Dan Darling said on the heels of a weeklong tour of Ukraine and Poland. “I was inspired by the resilience of the church in Ukraine,” Darling told Baptist Press. “I talked to one pastor who said that God is doing really good work.
Indian Christians told to renounce faith or leave home
CHHATTISGARH, India (BP)—At least 40 members of New Bethesda Jesus Tribal Ministry in Michwar Village remain sheltered at the church two weeks after the village council banned them from the community unless they renounce their faith. The Christians are among 100 impacted by a joint resolution adopted Nov. 17 by eight village councils in the Sukma District of Chhattisgarh State.
Bible study offers antidote to loneliness, study shows
PHILADELPHIA (BP)—The Bible protects against what the U.S. surgeon general has termed an “epidemic of loneliness” as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, the American Bible Society said in releasing its latest chapter of the 2024 State of the Bible. Bible engagement, forgiveness and church attendance all offer individual antidotes to loneliness, decreasing the malady by more than 50 percent, the American Bible Society said.
Nigerian pastor risks life to evangelize Muslims
PLATEAU, Nigeria (BP)—Pastor Eli Abdullah Tinau lives in the charred room that remains of his home after an attack by militant Fulani Muslims, an increasingly violent group accused of killing thousands of Christians in middle and northeastern Nigeria.
Porn use grows among Christians, study says
VENTURA, Calif. (BP)—Christian men and women use pornography more today than in 2016 when Barna spotlighted the sin among pastors and congregants, an updated study found. The report tracks and defines the problem, calls on the church to offer a healing balm and offers practical guidance to that end.
Percentage of ‘Nones’ flatlines for third consecutive year
PHILADELPHIA (BP)—The percentage of U.S. adults not affiliated with a religion has flatlined at 26 percent since 2022 after decades of growth, the American Bible Society said in its latest release from the 2024 State of the Bible. But the diverse group of 70 million Americans designated as “Nones,” 10 percent of whom say they’ve made a personal commitment to Jesus, are reachable by the church, said John Plake, American Bible Society chief innovation officer and State of the Bible editor in chief.
Resettlement of Christians fleeing persecution rebounds
WASHINGTON (BP)—The United States resettled more Christians fleeing persecution in fiscal year 2024 than it has since 2016, Open Doors and World Relief said in a report unveiled Oct. 14 as insight for policymakers and voters weeks ahead of the U.S. presidential elections. The nonpartisan groups reported the numbers of refugees and asylum seekers the U.S. has accepted in recent decades, including Christians and others fleeing religious persecution.
Black Church Collective seeks to reach African diaspora
LITHIA SPRINGS, Ga. (BP)—Charles Owusu, a Ghanaian pastor and seminary adjunct professor, appreciates the diversity among the many churches stemming from the African diaspora, including not only African American, but Haitian/Caribbean, Liberian, Nigerian, Ethiopian, Egyptian and others. Owusu is among a core group of four pastors tasked with organizing the Black Church Collective.
Baptist witness continues in Gaza and Israel
GAZA (BP)—Gaza Baptist Church is heavily damaged, perhaps beyond repair. Its 50 or so members have all fled to safer ground. But the Baptist witness has not left. “Donated by Gaza Baptist Church,” reads signs at distribution points where Christian Mission to Gaza serves 1,000 hot meals at a time to Muslim families in South Gaza. An estimated 650 Catholic and Greek Orthodox Christians remain in Gaza, down from about 800 when the Israel-Hamas War began.
China has no religious freedom, commission says
WASHINGTON (BP)—China has tightened its control of religion, creating such crimes as genocide, mass arrests and enforced disappearances, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said in a Sept. 23 fact sheet, days after China released long-imprisoned American Protestant pastor David Lin.
SBC a cooperative ‘force for good,’ Jeff Iorg asserts
NASHVILLE (BP)—The Southern Baptist Convention is a diverse, cooperative “force for good” that is poised to move forward on mission, Jeff Iorg said at his installation as the eighth president of the SBC Executive Committee Sept. 16 in Nashville.
Gen Z fearful, but Scripture reduces anxiety, study shows
PHILADELPHIA (BP)—Generation Z, the first to grow up with smartphones and tablets, is the most fearful and anxious of any age, the American Bible Society said in its latest release from the 2024 State of the Bible. But regular Bible engagement, a practice that attracts only 11 percent of Gen Z, reduces anxiety by half and can improve other markers of emotional health, study authors said.
Haitian pastors decry claim immigrants stealing, eating pets
MIAMI (BP)—The U.S. Republican presidential ticket’s unfounded claims that Haitian immigrants are stealing and eating pets in Ohio are alarming, harmful rhetoric that “fuels xenophobia and perpetuates damaging stereotypes,” a group of Southern Baptist pastors and other Christian leaders advocating for Haitians globally told Baptist Press. “We must reject inflammatory remarks,” the Haitian Christian Leaders Coalition told Baptist Press Sept.
Ukraine seminary leader urges prayer for transformation
NASHVILLE (BP)—“Pray for the transformation of our nation,” Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary President Yaroslav “Slavik” Pyzh implored Southern Baptists at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s trustee meeting Sept. 10 in Nashville. “Next time you mention Ukraine to God, please pray that our people will love God and respect the law,” Pyzh asked. He presented the lingering war as an evil that has given uncommon opportunity to spread the gospel, even as he prays for peace and victory.
China ends adoptions impacting hundreds of U.S. families
BEIJING (BP)—The Chinese government officially ended its international adoption program, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning announced Sept. 5. That announcement ended hopes for hundreds of U.S. families who were matched with children before the COVID-19 pandemic but had adoptions put on hold in 2020.
China ends adoptions impacting hundreds of U.S. families
BEIJING (BP)—The Chinese government officially ended its international adoption program, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning announced Sept. 5. That announcement ended hopes for hundreds of U.S. families who were matched with children before the COVID-19 pandemic but had adoptions put on hold in 2020.
Mexico Protestants protest displacement, church burning
OAXACO, Mexico (BP)—The last Protestants in an indigenous Mexican community dominated by Roman Catholics were forced from their homes Aug. 6 and their lone church set ablaze, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported Aug. 22. Members of the Protestant Interdenominational Christian Church and their supporters were expected to protest in the main square of Mexico City and in the city of Oaxaca, CSW said.
Sutherland Springs church demolishes site of mass murder
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS (BP)—The site of the deadliest church shooting in the nation no longer stands, as First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs moved forward Aug. 12 with a 2021 decision to demolish its former sanctuary. Church members voted 69-35 in August 2021 to demolish the sanctuary after a gunman killed 25 there in November 2017, including a pregnant woman, and injured 20 others before killing himself. While a lawsuit challenged the decision, it was not filed until May 2024.
Religious freedom harmed by government-fostered lies
WASHINGTON (BP)—When Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the invasion was to “denazify” Ukraine. Ukrainian teenager surveying destruction in Irpin, Ukraine, after Russian troops retreated (Photo courtesy of Leonid Regheta). Putin asserted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, is a Nazi hellbent on committing genocide against Russians and Russian-speaking Ukrainians.
Global religious freedom harmed by government-fostered lies, USCIRF reports
WASHINGTON (BP) – When Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the invasion was to “denazify” Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, is a Nazi hellbent on committing genocide against Russians and Russian-speaking Ukrainians, Putin said.
Global religious freedom harmed by government-fostered lies, USCIRF reports
WASHINGTON (BP) – When Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the invasion was to “denazify” Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, is a Nazi hellbent on committing genocide against Russians and Russian-speaking Ukrainians, Putin said.
Global religious freedom harmed by government-fostered lies, USCIRF reports
WASHINGTON (BP) — When Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the invasion was to “denazify” Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, is a Nazi hellbent on committing genocide against Russians and Russian-speaking Ukrainians, Putin said.
Belonging tops faith as draw for all but evangelicals
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (BP)—A sense of community and belonging inches out shared spiritual beliefs and faith as a church draw for all groups but evangelicals, the American Bible Society said in its latest release from the 2024 State of the Bible. Of the respondents in the study who attend church, 55 percent said they do so because of a feeling of community and belonging, followed by 53 percent who attend because of shared spiritual beliefs and faith, and 51 percent because of meaning and purpose.
Active Christians value civic responsibility, study shows
PHILADELPHIA (BP)—Christians engaged in Scripture place the highest premiums on civic advocacy and engagement, the American Bible Society said in its latest release from the 2024 State of the Bible. Falling in a presidential election year, the study shows Scripture-engaged Christians place more importance than others on being aware of civic and government issues, advocating for civic and government policies and submitting to government leaders.
Evangelical leaders Lobbied House Speaker For Israel And Ukraine Aid
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200 or more Christians massacred in Christmas attacks across Nigeria
PLATEAU, Nigeria (BP) – Terrorists killed more than 200 Christians in a series of Christmastime attacks on villages in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and the northeast, humanitarian and advocacy groups reported. The death toll continues to rise from attacks conducted by bandits – a term encompassing organized terror groups and other criminal groups – Dec. 23-28 in as many as 80 villages in Plateau State, Christian aid group Release International reported Dec. 30.
Barna: Most Christians don’t want churches to use AI
VENTURA, Calif. (BP)—Christians have less confidence in artificial intelligence than non-Christians, especially when it comes to AI use by churches, Barna Group and Gloo researchers found. More than half of Christians, 51 percent, said they don’t believe the church and AI should ever intersect. About the same portion, 52 percent, said they’d be disappointed to learn their own church was using AI.
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