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Articles by Joey Tombrella
Americans less likely to see religion as positive influence
iStock Metadata: Topic(s): CultureFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: Most U.S. adults believe the country would benefit from having a little more religion, but their number is falling. In a 2026 Gallup study, 65 percent of Americans say it would be positive for society if more of their fellow citizens were religious, down from 75 percent in 2013. Currently, 22 percent believe increased religiosity across the country would be a negative, up from 17 percent more than a decade ago.
Pro-life groups unhappy as Planned Parenthood again receiving federal dollars
iStock Metadata: Topic(s): AbortionFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: NASHVILLE (BP) – The expiration of a one-year provision in the Big Beautiful Bill that defunded Planned Parenthood has pro-life groups and supporters questioning whether their voices are still being heard in defense of the unborn.
N.C. church’s annual rodeo becomes missions roundup
POLKVILLE, N.C. — As grandstand lights illuminate the summer sky behind Polkville Baptist Church each June, thousands of spectators gather for an event that might seem unexpected for a local congregation: a professional rodeo. For the past 26 years, the church has hosted the annual rodeo to raise money for missions, turning an unconventional fundraiser into a long-standing outreach that shares the Gospel with attendees and supports ministry efforts across North Carolina and around the world.
Crossover shows the value of cooperation for one Orlando church
ORLANDO – As the shepherd of a predominantly Black church in West Orlando, being a part of Crossover 2026 was about building bridges, said Pastor Alvin White. Brandon Elrod (left), public relations consultant for the North American Mission Board, visits with Pastor Alvin White (right) and Andrew Plooard, associate pastor of Greater Trinity, during the church’s Crossover community outreach event Saturday, June 6.
NEWS DIGEST: Melson selected as Moody president; Texas family targeted by China
Melson to become president of Moody Bible Institute By SBU Staff BOLIVAR, Mo. (SBU) —The Southwest Baptist University (SBU) Board of Trustees today announced that Rick Melson, the university’s 26th president, has accepted the call to become the next President of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Ill. Melson will continue serving as president of SBU until the week of Aug. 10, with the board initiating a comprehensive transition process to ensure continued momentum and stability.
FIRST-PERSON: Reflections on the 2025 Kerrville flooding
Submitted photo. Joey Tombrella. On July 4, 2025, a storm surged in Kerrville, Texas, sweeping multitudes away in horrific flood waters and turning a peaceful city into ground zero for one of Texas’ biggest tragedies. More than 100 people were killed in Kerr County, with widespread destruction to homes and businesses in the area.
South Carolina pastor, school leader arrested after church employs sex offender
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. — A Pawleys Island pastor, his wife and an academy director are facing multiple charges in connection with a convicted sex offender who was allowed to serve as a custodian at the church where a daycare and school were operating.
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FIRST-PERSON: Reflections on the 2025 Kerrville Flooding
Joey Tombrella Metadata: Series: First PersonTopic(s): Theology & DoctrineFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: Editor’s note: Joey Tombrella is pastor of First Baptist Church Kerrville, Texas. On July 4, 2025, a storm surged in Kerrville, Texas, sweeping multitudes away in horrific flood waters and turning a peaceful city into ground zero for one of Texas’ biggest tragedies. More than 100 people were killed in Kerr County, with widespread destruction to homes and businesses in the area.
Baptist churches again responding to tragic flooding in Texas Hill Country
KERRVILLE, Texas –One year after the tragic flooding in the Texas Hill Country that left residents experiencing tremendous physical and personal loss along with emotional traumas, local churches are once again springing into action as devastating flood waters take a toll on their community. As first responders assess the needs, local churches in Kerrville immediately began offering support and resources to assist with relief efforts.
Hope in Immanuel, God with us
We are a people low on hope these days. We tend to fight against hopelessness by platitudes, extra tinsel on the tree, doom spending, binging our favorite Christmas movie or lots of food. Yes, lots of food. Yet the hopelessness seems to sit in a chair waiting for you to be done wrapping presents to remind you of all the reasons you should be depressed and discouraged.
An appeal for caution in our praying
In a recent article, “Praying for the freedom to read and write books,” there was a prayer printed by the National Council of Churches in defense of books that have recently been labeled as banned or removed from libraries and schools. While there are several sentences and phrases in the prayer that every Christian could agree to on a surface level, the prayer to “embrace the fullness of the human experience,” should encourage a careful analysis of what we are truly asking God for.
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