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Articles by Ken Camp
Nigerian churches attacked and worshippers abducted | Baptist Press - Crossmap News
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Advent in an 'aggressively subjective, individualistic culture'
Advent should remind justice-minded Christians their “yearning” and “longing for more” is rooted in the awareness God’s Kingdom has come, but it also is yet to come, theologian Will Willimon told religious leaders on a Zoom call convened by Pastors for Texas Children. For more stories at your doorstep, subscribe to The Baptist Paper. SIGN UP for our weekly Highlights emails.
Nigerian president declares security emergency | Baptist Press - Crossmap News
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Russian Courts Ban 'Unregistered' Baptist Churches
Russian courts have banned at least 10 unregistered Baptist congregations from meeting without state permission, a Norway-based human rights organization reported. Six of the 10 lawsuits against Council of Churches Baptist religious communities have been filed in the Krasnodar Region of Southern Russia, Forum 18 news service reported in early November. The Council of Churches Baptist formed six decades ago in opposition to Soviet religious restrictions.
'Embrace peace': Rights violations in Nigeria continue drawing attention
Baptists in Africa called for “all parties concerned” about religious freedom and human rights in Nigeria to “embrace peace for the good of all.” Meanwhile, some American evangelicals —including the interim president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission — endorsed a letter by a conservative group commending President Donald Trump for “placing all available Presidential action on the table to ensure that action is taken soon.” For more stories at your...
Study Looks at Religious Repression by ‘Axis of Upheaval’ China, Russia, Iran and North Korea
I am very thankful for this report by “The State of Religious Freedom Worldwide”. The Church in America must be in prayer everyday for our brothers and sisters worldwide! I am so very, very thankful for the Baptist Press for their news service! Baptist Press By , posted November 7, 2025 in International News TEMPE, Ariz.
Study looks at religious repression by ‘Axis of Upheaval’
TEMPE, Ariz. — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea form an “Axis of Upheaval” whose members collude to repress religious freedom both within and often outside their borders, a new study says. “As societies around the world become less free, religious freedom is under global assault, which is also being increasingly coordinated among autocrats, who share their playbooks,” a 74-page report from the McCain Institute of Arizona State University states.
Florida pastor Willy Rice nominee for SBC president
CLEARWATER, Fla. (BP)—Florida pastor Willy Rice announced his intentions to be nominated for Southern Baptist Convention president at the 2026 SBC annual meeting in Orlando. In a video released Oct. 31, Rice said he is allowing the nomination based on his hope for renewal in the SBC. Rice, 62, has served 21 years as senior pastor at Calvary Church in Clearwater. “Can you honestly look back over the last few years and conclude we are more united and more on mission? Or do you feel like I do?
SBC DIGEST: Florida Baptists respond to Jamaica; Crossover ’26 registration opens
Florida Baptist Disaster Relief responding to Hurricane Melissa devastation By Florida Baptist Convention Staff JAMAICA – As Hurricane Melissa unleashed its fury on multiple Caribbean islands over the past several days, Florida Baptist Disaster Relief were gearing up to respond. On Saturday, Nov. 1, even as damage assessments are ongoing, FLDR will send a two-man team to Jamaica to partner with Send Relief/International Mission Board and local leaders in disaster response.
Father and son pastors celebrate ‘practical,’ ‘tangible’ benefits of CP
Metadata: Topic(s): Cooperative ProgramFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: Editor’s note: October is Cooperative Program Emphasis Month in the SBC. MADISON, Miss. (BP) – Chip and Reid Stevens were driving back to the afternoon session of the Mississippi Baptist Convention’s annual meeting on Oct. 28 when they were asked about the Cooperative Program. Responses gelled around the concepts of connection and action.
‘We must bring peace,’ Baptist pastor declares as Sudan civil war intensifies
DARFUR, Sudan (BP) – Thousands of civilians are trapped and untold numbers dead after Sudanese Rapid Defense Forces (RDF) captured the capital city of El Fasher, North Darfur, Oct. 26 in an intensifying civil war.
SEBTS presidential search committee announces candidate deadline
WAKE FOREST, N.C. – Following President Danny Akin’s retirement announcement Oct. 14 Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary’s presidential search committee has begun the process of searching for the institution’s seventh president. The committee invites Southern Baptists to submit candidate recommendations by Nov. 30, 2025. From the beginning of the process, the committee has been in a season of prayer, seeking the Lord’s wisdom.
Ministry offers trauma healing to women in Ukraine
More than 1,000 women in Ukraine recently attended conferences, workshops and seminars designed to offer Christ-centered trauma healing. Leonid Regheta, pastor of River of Life Church in Plano, facilitated the events in Kyiv, Odesa and Kharkiv in his role as Eastern European missions director for Hope International Ministries, with support from Texans on Mission and several Texas Baptist churches.
Ministry offers trauma healing to women in Ukraine | Baptist Press - Crossmap News
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At Dallas Gathering, Christians Called to Combat All Religious Persecution
Christians are commanded, commissioned, and called to combat all religious persecution, international human rights attorney Knox Thames told a gathering at Dallas Baptist University (DBU) on Tuesday. Two-thirds of the global population live in countries that restrict the free practice of faith, Thames informed the Global Religious Freedom Gathering, sponsored by Christians Against All Persecution and DBU’s Center for Global Religious Freedom.
Is there religious revival among Gen Z?
PITTSBURGH (RNS)—It’s 9 p.m. on Oct. 13, a Monday, on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus. There are two NFL games on TV and fall midterms are this week. But roughly 300 students are packed into a room in the student union building, clapping or raising their hands in worship. “No treasure of this life could ever satisfy,” the students sing, some standing, others kneeling in the back.
Charles 'Chuck' Davis
Charles “Chuck” William Davis Jr., chair of the board of trustees at Hardin-Simmons University, died Oct. 1 in McKinney. He was 67. He was born Jan, 4, 1958, in Chattanooga, Tenn., to Charles William Davis Sr. and Delores Eloise (Nellums) Davis. He grew up in Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas, graduating from Whitesboro High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Hardin-Simmons University and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
New Study Highlights Global Lack of Access to the Bible
Somalia tops the list of countries where access to the Bible is blocked by law, actions of religious extremists or acts by other nonstate actors, the Bible Access Initiative announced Oct. 2. “Bible access in Somalia is not just limited; it is outlawed,” a profile of the nation produced by the Bible Access Initiative stated.
Deportation flight to Iran included Christians at risk
(RNS)—The Trump administration’s deportation of more than a hundred Iranians held in ICE custody on a flight that touched down in Tehran on Sept. 29 includes Christian converts and other religious minorities who may face harsh penalties for their religious beliefs upon return to the Islamic Republic, advocates warned.
Lack of access to Bible documented
Somalia tops the list of countries where access to the Bible is blocked by law, actions of religious extremists or acts by other nonstate actors, the Bible Access Initiative announced Oct. 2. “Bible access in Somalia is not just limited; it is outlawed,” a profile of the nation produced by the Bible Access Initiative stated.
Last pastor forced out of war-torn Sudanese city
(RNS)—A priest of the Anglican Church of Sudan who stayed in El-Fasher, the besieged capital of North Darfur, to serve Christians remaining there is homeless after paramilitary violence forced him out of his church. Pastor Daramali Abudigin assisted 130 to 150 families from different Christian denominations in El-Fasher after all other clerics fled the intensified fighting, but he eventually had to escape, as well.
Charlie Kirk’s AI resurrection reveals new era of digital grief
(RNS)—Megachurch pastor Jack Graham was in the middle of his Sunday message to Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano when he paused to cue up an unusual sermon illustration. After encouraging people to respond to the killing of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk by turning to God, he instructed the congregation to listen to a roughly minute-long audio clip of what sounded like Kirk delivering a short speech.
Gary Hollingsworth named ERLC interim president
WASHINGTON (BP)—Retired South Carolina Baptist state convention leader and longtime pastor Gary Hollingsworth has been selected as interim president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, effective Oct. 1. Hollingsworth was named to the post by ERLC trustees at their meeting Sept. 16. “I do believe (Southern Baptists) desperately need the voice and the work of the ERLC,” Hollingsworth told Baptist Press.
Global Baptist leaders honored in Ukraine! American Christians!! We Must Stand Up For The People of Ukriane!
I am very disturbed that many Christian in America are asleep to the evil that madman Putin is doing with the children from Ukraine that he order kidnapped! It seems many Christians in America love their politics over God’s children! NO WONDER THE CHURCH HERE IS FAILING! Politics is the playground of Satan! Look at America! It is so very divided! Hate and division rule! I wrote this morning about how President Trump has failed Ukriane: Madman Putin Hails ‘Unprecedentedly High’ Relations with...
Global Baptist leaders honored in Ukraine | Baptist Press - Crossmap News
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Churches Campaign for Release of 7 Ministers in Eritrea
21Wilberforce and the Baptist World Alliance are joining other Christian groups in calling for the release of seven church leaders in Eritrea who have been detained without trial more than 20 years. The #Voices4Justice campaign is urging Eritrean government officials to release seven arbitrarily detained Christian leaders—Haile Naizge, Kuflu Gebremeskel, Million Gebreselassie, Futsum Gebrenegus, Tekleab Menghisteab, Gebremedhin Gebregiorgis and Kidane Weldou.
Focus on the Family founder James Dobson dies at 89
(RNS)—James C. Dobson, a psychologist who advocated a “family values” brand of conservative Christian morality on his popular radio shows and in his bestselling books, died Aug. 21. He was 89. “Dr. Dobson was a pioneer—a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped the way generations view faith, family and culture,” said Gary Bauer, senior vice president of public policy at the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.
Campaign urges release of 7 ministers in Eritrea
21Wilberforce and the Baptist World Alliance are joining other Christian groups in calling for the release of seven church leaders in Eritrea who have been detained without trial more than 20 years. The #Voices4Justice campaign is urging Eritrean government officials to release seven arbitrarily detained Christian leaders — Haile Naizge, Kuflu Gebremeskel, Million Gebreselassie, Futsum Gebrenegus, Tekleab Menghisteab, Gebremedhin Gebregiorgis and Kidane Weldou.
Commission spotlights religious freedom violations in Nigeria | Baptist Press - Crossmap News
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Israeli Jews asking for New Testaments as wars usher in Gospel, Israeli pastor says
Metadata: Topic(s): Evangelism, International NewsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: TEL AVIV, Israel (BP) – D’vora was rushing her two children to the home of her father Avi Mizrachi, founding pastor of Adonai Roi Congregation in Tel Aviv, when overhead missiles from Iran forced her to seek cover. She had hoped to secure her 5-year-old daughter Hadas and 2-year-old son Noam in her father’s bomb shelter before she responded to a call for search and rescue volunteers.
FIRST-PERSON: How ‘what’ and ‘why’ unify
Metadata: Series: First PersonEvent(s): 2025 SBC Annual MeetingTopic(s): SBC Annual MeetingsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: The 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting is behind us, and with it the meetings, reports, motions and actions that pleased some and disappointed others. I know that many church members and even pastors rarely or never attend an SBC annual meeting in person.
‘Defund Day’ participants rally across the nation as ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ goes to Senate
NASHVILLE (BP) – Thousands took part in more than 200 demonstrations nationwide Saturday, June 28, calling on Congress to defund Planned Parenthood. Defund Day gathered pro-life advocates to protest the nearly $800 million in federal money given annually to Planned Parenthood, an organization that provides nearly 40 percent of the nation’s abortions. The event was sponsored by Live Action. “We’re here because we love life.
Bill Moyers had deep and abiding Texas Baptist ties | Baptist Press - Crossmap News
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Afghans Who Fled Taliban, Including Religious Minorities, Face Repatriation
About 14,000 Afghans who came to the United States to escape the Taliban—including religious minorities who experienced persecution in their homeland—face forced repatriation in less than two weeks. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced April 11 the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Afghan nationals who relocated to the United States, effective May 20.
Russian Palm Sunday Attack on Ukraine Kills More Than 30 People
A Russian airstrike on Palm Sunday killed at least 34 people in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy in the deadliest attack of the conflict so far this year. Merritt Johnston, executive director of Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Women, said she received a video from a BWA Women leader showing a church service in Sumy interrupted by a bomb blast and shattering glass. “We are heartbroken by this violence and continue to pray for just peace,” said Johnston, director of communications for BWA.
Texas Churches Impacted By Impending Deportation of Immigrant Members
Hispanic Texas Baptist churches and ministries that serve immigrants are feeling the effects of the suspension of Temporary Protected Status and humanitarian parole programs, along with the overarching threat of mass deportations. Both Temporary Protected Status and humanitarian parole offer short-term refuge to vetted foreign nationals who face unsafe conditions in their homelands. On Jan.
Greed Fuels Sports Gambling Industry, S.C. Ethicist Says
Sports gambling feeds on greed and thrives on the exploitation of the vulnerable, Baptist pastor and former college football coach RaShan Frost said.
Greed fuels sports gambling industry
Team Jesus, Please pray that a Biblical Worldview will prevail all over our great Country! What happened to a Biblical Worldview? We surely are upside down. Most Americans do not beleive in The Trinity! Read about it here! Sports gambling is an epidemic in America.
FIRST-PERSON: I love a good Cooperative Program story
Metadata: Series: First PersonTopic(s): Cooperative ProgramFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: Editor’s note: Randy C. Davis is executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. I love a good Cooperative Program (CP) story because Cooperative Program stories are ultimately about people. That’s one reason I love pastor James Suggs. He embodies everything that is great about CP.
SBC DIGEST: Churches stepping up to help storm victims
Metadata: Series: SBC DigestsTopic(s): Churches and Ministry, Disaster ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: ‘The church being the church’ in wake of St. Louis tornadoes By Vicki Stamps/The Pathway FLORISSANT, Mo. – After sunset on Friday, March 14, 13 tornadoes took aim at metro St. Louis. The widest one was three-fourths of a mile wide, and it took aim at the Hazelwood/Florissant area.
Myanmar Baptists respond to chaos from earthquake, war
Metadata: Topic(s): Disaster Relief, International News, Send ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: MANDALAY, Myanmar – The power is out here. So is water, telephone, internet in this city of 1.3 million people where 80 percent of the infrastructure (roads, bridges, power lines) have been destroyed and between 40 and 60 percent of the buildings damaged or destroyed by the 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar’s second-largest city and the region around it on March 28.
In Texas, Christian right grows confident and assertive
Testifying this month against bills that would put more Christianity in Texas public schools, Jody Harrison—an ordained Baptist minister—invoked the violent persecution of her Baptist forefathers by fellow Christians in colonial America. Harrison, a retired hospital chaplain, hoped the history lesson would remind Texas senators of Baptists’ strong support for church-state separation and that weakening those protections would hurt people of all faiths. Instead, she was rebuked.
Willow Creek pastor to step down, successor named
SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (RNS) — David Dummitt, who became pastor of Willow Creek Church at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Sunday (March 23) that he is stepping down as leader of the influential Chicagoland megachurch. Shawn Williams, the campus pastor of Willow Creek’s South Barrington, Illinois, location, will succeed Dummitt as senior pastor starting April 1. Dummitt will remain on staff until July 31 to help with the transition.
Texas pastor Tommy Mann to be nominated for SBC 2nd vice president Original
GREENVILLE, Texas (BP) – A Texas director of missions has announced his plans to nominate Texas pastor Tommy Mann to serve as SBC second vice president at the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting this summer. Hunt Baptist Association DOM Jim Gatliff says Mann’s, “…refreshingly strong expository preaching, positive ‘can do’ leadership style … (and) his amazing ability to cast compelling vision,” have helped Highland Terrace Baptist Church in Greenville in its revitalization process.
PRAY TEAM JESUS! Humanitarian crisis worsens in eastern Congo
Team Jesus, Pray with us that the violence stops and the sick and hungry get help! Lord have mercy! Baptist Press By , posted February 28, 2025 in International News, Persecution Conditions continue to worsen dramatically in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where 25.5 million people face the danger of hunger, a Baptist leader there said.
70 Christians Beheaded at Church in Democratic Republic of Congo
Seventy Christians were found bound and beheaded inside a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern Lubero Territory of North Kivu in mid-February. Local sources attributed the attack to the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamist rebel group. Militants reportedly rounded up the Christians and took them to the church in Kasanga, where they were decapitated by machete.
North Carolina’s Summit Church claims religious discrimination in zoning lawsuit
Metadata: Topic(s): Religious Liberty, SBC NewsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: DURHAM, N.C. (BP) – The Summit Church has filed a federal lawsuit accusing a North Carolina county of denying a zoning request to build a church facility because of religious discrimination. In the lawsuit filed Feb.
Queen attorney asks for probation, fine as sentence date approaches
Metadata: Topic(s): SBC NewsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: NEW YORK (BP) – A document submitted by the attorney of Matt Queen contains excerpts from 59 letters of support for the former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor alongside pleas for leniency from Queen himself as his sentencing date approaches for lying to federal investigators. Queen, 50, pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Southern New York on Oct.
BGCT board approves NAMB agreement, insurance program
DALLAS – The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) Executive Board adopted a new agreement with the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board regarding church-starting in Texas and approved the initial reserve investment, officers and board for the Texas Baptist Insurance Program.
BGCT board approves NAMB agreement, insurance program
DALLAS — The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) Executive Board adopted a new agreement with the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) North American Mission Board (NAMB) regarding church starting in Texas and approved the initial reserve investment, officers and board for the Texas Baptist Insurance Program.
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