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Articles by Samuel Heard
Wendell Berry's Unanswered Question
Earlier this year, the language education company Duolingo caused a stir when its CEO, Luis von Ahn, put out a memo announcing his intentions on making Duolingo an “AI-first” organization. He wrote in April: “AI is already changing how work gets done. It’s not a question of if or when. It’s happening now. When there’s a shift this big, the worst thing you can do is wait. In 2012, we bet on mobile ....
N.C. Baptists work to put families in homes
In response to a once-in-a-lifetime hurricane that devastated much of western North Carolina in late September, North Carolina Baptists and Baptists on Mission are partnering with churches and community leaders to launch a new emphasis aimed at putting 1,000 families back into their homes as quickly as possible.
NC Baptist rapid repair emphasis aims to put 1,000+ families back in homes following Helene
In response to a once-in-a-lifetime hurricane that devastated much of western North Carolina in late September, North Carolina Baptists and Baptists on Mission are partnering with churches and community leaders to launch a new emphasis aimed at putting 1,000 families back into their homes as quickly as possible.
STATE MEETINGS: Alaska, New York
Metadata: Topic(s): SBC NewsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: Alaska looks for new leadership By Karen L. Willoughby VALDEZ, Alaska – Randy Covington announced at the recent annual meeting of the Alaska Baptist Resource Network that he plans to retire as executive director at the 2025 annual meeting. The 79th annual meeting of Southern Baptists in Alaska took place Sept. 24-25 at First Baptist Church of Valdez with a theme of “Reaching Forward,” based on Philippians 3:13-14.
Southern Baptist relief efforts deployed throughout Southeast in response to historic Helene
Metadata: Topic(s): Disaster Relief, Send ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP) – More than 100 people have died from the havoc wrought by Hurricane Helene, and Send Relief is supporting dozens of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) sites deployed throughout the Southeast: Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia. On Monday, Sept.
NC Baptists respond to ‘unprecedented tragedy’ in western North Carolina
Metadata: Topic(s): Disaster ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP) — As counties in western North Carolina and surrounding areas continue to grapple with unprecedented devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, N.C. Baptist disaster response volunteers are partnering with churches to assist local residents with the long journey of recovery. As of Monday, Sept.
Leading when you want to quit
Metadata: Format(s): Text Articles Share this post: In a world that often prioritizes personal fulfillment and happiness, it’s easy to forget that God’s ultimate goal for us is holiness. Our culture is centered on success, recognition, and the pursuit of fulfilling our “passion,” but these things are often fleeting, influenced by circumstances and seasons. As women in church leadership, we will inevitably face seasons where we want to quit or question our calling altogether.
FIRST-PERSON: The two rails of the Southern Baptist Convention
Editor’s note: The following was taken from remarks made by SBC President Clint Pressley at the Sept. 17 meeting of the SBC Executive Committee in Nashville. The remarks have been edited for length and clarity. I want to remind us of what is good about being a Southern Baptist. That’s why I’ve chosen Hebrews chapter 10, verses 23 and 24, to be the theme verses for this year. And the theme statement will be “Hold fast.” “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering.
Churches less likely than before to provide help for those with opioid addictions
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) – More Americans are dying of opioid abuse, but fewer churches are serving those with opioid addictions. A Lifeway Research study found U.S. Protestant pastors are just as likely to say someone connected to their congregation has been personally affected by opioid abuse today as compared to five years ago. They are less likely, however, to report their church is providing spiritual support for those addicted or any type of support group for those dealing with substance abuse.
Volunteers respond after historic storm slams southeastern NC
Metadata: Topic(s): Disaster ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: SOUTHPORT, N.C. (BP) – Days after an unnamed tropical storm-like system dumped historic rainfall across the Cape Fear region of southeastern North Carolina, disaster response volunteers with N.C. Baptists on Mission are assisting those impacted by the storm.
‘ServeNC’ week sees nearly 1,200 churches unite to support NC communities
When shoppers began checking out their groceries at a local Walmart in Morehead City, N.C., earlier this month, many were surprised to find out that their items would be covered. Members of Local Point Church from nearby Newport, N.C., had arrived at the store on Saturday, Aug. 3, with $5,000 to pay for people’s groceries. “If we’re going to love people well, if we’re going to love people big, we believe part of that is being generous,” said JT Riley, pastor of Local Point.
FROM THE STATES: 1,000+ churches commit to ServeNC; Record year at Tennessee All Nations Camp
Metadata: Series: SBC DigestsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: 1,000+ churches commit to ‘ServeNC’ as part of statewide initiative By Samuel Heard/NC Baptists CARY, N.C. (BP) – More than 1,000 churches from across North Carolina have pledged to take part in a statewide initiative in early August that calls on church members to serve their local communities. The “ServeNC” initiative, scheduled for Aug.
1,000+ Churches Commit to ‘ServeNC’ as Part of Statewide Initiative
More than 1,000 churches from across North Carolina have pledged to take part in a statewide initiative in early August that calls on church members to serve their local communities. The “ServeNC” initiative, scheduled for Aug. 3-10, asks churches to meet the needs of their surrounding neighborhoods throughout that week. As of Monday, July 8, 1,003 churches have committed to participate, the majority of which are churches that partner with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
1,000+ churches commit to ‘ServeNC’ as part of statewide initiative
More than 1,000 churches from across North Carolina have pledged to take part in a statewide initiative in early August that calls on church members to serve their local communities. The “ServeNC” initiative, scheduled for Aug. 3-10, asks churches to meet the needs of their surrounding neighborhoods throughout that week. As of Monday, July 8, 1,003 churches have committed to participate, the majority of which are churches that partner with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
At Charity, pastoral training program prepares rural church leaders for ministry
For years, Richard Weeks has desired to see leaders from his association be raised up to support smaller churches throughout the region. Here’s how Weeks has gotten to see that dream come to reality over the past several months. For Kevin Hall, standing behind the pulpit is a surreal experience. Raised in Clinton, N.C., Hall grew up learning about the gospel from an early age through his time at Grove Park Baptist Church.
The Rise of Hyperpleasures
Several years ago I was in conversation with a friend of mine, a former addict, who was sharing with me how he felt after a few years of sobriety. His comments to me were unusually candid. “I love drugs — I still love drugs,” he told me. “I know it sounds crazy, but that’s exactly my problem.
‘ServeNC’ kickoff rally a moment of unity for Fayetteville area churches
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – As pastors, church leaders and community members from across Cumberland County gathered at Arran Lake Baptist Church in Fayetteville on Thursday, May 23, Pastor Jeff Isenhour challenged them with the following question: If your church ceased to exist, would anybody even care? “That (question) kept us up at night,” said Isenhour, who serves as co-pastor with Andrew Clark at Arran Lake.
Moyock church, association commit $60K to help ServeNC
As churches make preparations for the statewide initiative ServeNC in early August, a church and association in northeastern North Carolina have agreed to commit upwards of $60,000 to neighboring churches as a way to encourage churches in the region to “ServeNC.” According to James Harrington, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Moyock, his church has agreed to give $1,000 to any neighboring church that needs financial assistance to complete service projects for ServeNC, with a total...
Home dedication, community projects offer preview of ‘ServeNC’
WALLACE, N.C. – Sophia Boney wasn’t expecting all the people who came out to celebrate the dedication of her new home, but she considered it a blessing. “We weren’t expecting this many people, but we’re glad they came,” Boney said. “They just told me a few people were going to come out. They didn’t tell me it was going to be all this.
Church, association commit more than $60K to help churches ‘ServeNC’
As churches make preparations for the statewide initiative ServeNC in early August, a church and association in northeastern North Carolina have agreed to commit upwards of $60,000 to neighboring churches as a way to encourage churches in the region to “ServeNC.” According to James Harrington, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Moyock, his church has agreed to give $1,000 to any neighboring church that needs financial assistance to complete service projects for ServeNC, with a total...
NC Baptists expand worship resources in partnership with The Worship Initiative
N.C. Baptists are partnering with the worship training platform The Worship Initiative to equip churches with resources, training material and additional support as they seek to strengthen their worship ministries. This partnership, established through N.C. Baptist generosity, allows churches to receive premier-tier discounts on monthly team plans available on The Worship Initiative platform.
NC ultrasound dedication highlights ministry dream 18 years in the making
HARRISBURG, N.C. – For 18 years, Jan Cranford dreamed of a time when Gate Pregnancy Resource Center could meet medical needs through a mobile ministry. At a gathering last week celebrating the donation of a new ultrasound machine through N.C. Baptists and the Psalm 139 Project, she finally got to see that dream become reality. When Jan Cranford began the process of founding Gate Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC) back in 2006, she had two dreams in mind.
Barna study: pastors remain cautious in probing uses of AI
NASHVILLE (BP) — According to a recent Barna study, pastors are becoming slightly more comfortable with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for some uses in the church but remain wary of its role when it comes to personal relationships. It’s a sign that AI may not be the danger first feared to be, especially when considering how it was already in use through platforms such as Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa.
Florida pastor arrested for sexual battery of a minor
Metadata: Topic(s): Sexual AbuseFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: MARATHON, Fla. (BP) – A Florida Keys pastor was arrested Monday (March 4) for sexually molesting a minor. The incident happened on church property. Monte Lavelle Chitty, 62, was charged with sexual battery of a minor, lewd and lascivious conduct and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Chitty is pastor of First Baptist Church of Marathon, Fla., which reported average worship attendance of 15 people in 2023.
North Carolina Baptist President Quintell Hill accepts role with IMB
Quintell Hill, pastor of Multiply Community Church in Monroe, N.C., and president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, will be joining the International Mission Board as African American church mobilization strategist starting April 1. Hill shared the news with members of his church on Sunday, during their morning service. The IMB announced the transition via internal communication sent to staff Monday morning.
NC Baptist President Quintell Hill accepts role with IMB
Quintell Hill, pastor of Multiply Community Church in Monroe, N.C., and president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, will be joining the International Mission Board (IMB) as African American church mobilization strategist starting April 1. Hill shared the news with members of his church on Sunday, March 3, during their morning service. The IMB announced the transition via internal communication sent to staff Monday morning, March 4.
Largest-ever ‘Coats for the City’ outreach in New York leads to salvations
Over 400 volunteers gathered in New York City and Jersey City, N.J., last weekend to distribute more than 9,600 coats as part of the largest-ever Coats for the City initiative since its inception in 2011. The outreach event, which took place the first week of December, saw teams from 32 churches across North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama partner with the New York Metropolitan Baptist Association to distribute coats at more than 30 distribution centers throughout the region.
NC Baptists share coats, gospel in largest-ever ‘Coats for the City’ outreach
Over 400 volunteers gathered in New York City and Jersey City, N.J., last weekend to distribute more than 9,600 coats as part of the largest-ever Coats for the City initiative since its inception in 2011. The outreach event, which took place Dec. 1-2, saw teams from 32 churches across North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama partner with the New York Metropolitan Baptist Association to distribute coats at more than 30 distribution centers throughout the region.
NC church, association find missions giving support to address mental health needs
Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, Boone is a thriving mountain town with picturesque views, a major university and a growing population. But like many places within the U.S., it’s also a town whose residents are increasingly facing significant challenges to mental health. “Anxiety, depression, these types of things are always at the top of the leaderboard,” said Bud Russell, an associate pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Boone.
Serve Tour Athens volunteers elevate local Greek churches
Metadata: Topic(s): Send ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: ATHENS, Greece – Ever-rising numbers of refugees and migrants, a smaller than 1 percent evangelical population and recent fires and floodings make Athens, Greece, a city ripe for Gospel outreach through compassion ministry. On September 8-16, more than 65 Serve Tour Volunteers from 13 churches joined local Greek churches to bring physical help and Gospel hope to a diverse city.
Paying for X (Twitter)? Churches, pastors consider the cost
Metadata: Topic(s): TechnologyFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: NASHVILLE (BP) — When it comes to X (formerly Twitter), church leaders may soon get the opportunity to truly take it or leave it. Comments on Sept. 18 by the platform’s CEO, Elon Musk, included requiring users to pay a “small monthly payment,” something he has hinted at for some time. “It’s the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots,” he told Israeli Prime Minister in the livestreamed conversation.
After summers of setback, North Carolina sees VBS resurgence
Metadata: Topic(s): Churches and Ministry, COVID-19Format(s): Text Articles Share this post: MURFREESBORO, N.C. (BP) – When the COVID-19 pandemic reached the U.S. in early 2020, churches faced an unprecedented number of challenges as they adjusted to new realities brought about by the disease. Among these challenges arose a particularly difficult question: What should we do about Vacation Bible School (VBS)? Such was the case at John Porter’s church.
After summers of setback, North Carolina sees VBS resurgence
When the COVID-19 pandemic reached the U.S. in early 2020, churches faced an unprecedented number of challenges as they adjusted to new realities brought about by the disease. Among these challenges arose a particularly difficult question: What should churches do about Vacation Bible School (VBS)? Such was the case at John Porter’s church. For three summers, Meherrin Baptist Church in Murfreesboro had to pivot away from their usual VBS plans.
NC Baptists send relief after Idalia sweeps through Southeast
North Carolina Baptists on Mission has deployed disaster relief volunteers to respond to damages after Tropical Storm Idalia made its way through several southeastern states on Wednesday and Thursday. After sending an initial Swift Water Rescue Team to Florida on Wednesday morning, Baptists on Mission sent a disaster recovery team and a logistics volunteer to Perry, Fla., to partner with Florida Baptists’ Disaster Relief and Recovery Ministries.
NC Baptists dedicate ultrasound unit to The Center for Women
Editor's Note: The following story was submitted by The Center for Women's executive director Meghan LaRose and was published online in The Biblical Recorder. North Carolina Baptists gathered in western North Carolina earlier this week to celebrate the dedication of a new ultrasound machine at The Center for Women in Brevard.
Assessment retreat with SendNC highlights 'God's unwavering faithfulness' • Biblical Recorder
SendNC staff members are celebrating what they saw as the “faithfulness of God” after completing this month’s Assessment Retreat with potential church planters. The retreat, which took place Aug. 3-4 at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro, gathered prospective church planters who had undergone several stages of initial assessment through the SendNC church planting pathway.
NC Baptists dedicate ultrasound unit at Western NC pregnancy center
N.C. Baptists gathered in western North Carolina earlier this week to celebrate the dedication of a new ultrasound machine at The Center for Women in Brevard. This ultrasound placement was the result of cooperative efforts between N.C. Baptists and the Psalm 139 Project, a pro-life ministry of the Ethics & Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention. The dedication ceremony was held Tuesday, Aug. 8, at The Center for Women, with N.C. Baptist and ERLC leadership in attendance.
NC Baptists bring relief after massive storm sweeps through Cherryville
For one Gaston County man, a supercell thunderstorm had him literally flying through the air last week. Jason Day, a deacon at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Cherryville, was getting into his car at a local ballpark on Tuesday, May 16, when a massive storm began sweeping through the area. Just before he exited the parking lot, he saw a tree fall on a nearby car with a mom and her daughter trapped inside. Day remembers running to help, but nothing afterward.
‘Jesus is worth it’: NC team of 36 called to new home in Virginia
Tanner Hogue likes to joke that he has yet to recruit a single person to join his church plant. And yet, starting early this summer, 16 adults and 15 children will relocate with Hogue and his family to Norfolk, Va., to plant Port City Church. “The Lord has just kind of called all of them,” said Hogue, who will serve as pastor for Port City. “They’re gonna be selling their home[s] and moving, finding new jobs ….
‘God filled the tank:’ NC Baptists celebrate baptisms in unexpected ways
When Michael Purcell arrived at First Baptist Church of Red Springs early this past Sunday, he realized he had forgotten to fill the tank. The church intended to baptize someone that morning as part of the statewide “Fill the Tank” baptism emphasis, but without a full baptistry, Purcell wasn’t confident it would take place. “I run up there, I turn it on, I hope and I pray and I said, ‘God, if this is your will, fill this tank,’” said Purcell, who serves as the church’s associate pastor of youth.
NC church sees 5 commit to baptism ahead of ‘Fill the Tank’ Sunday
Less than one month ago, South Fork Baptist Church in Todd, N.C., did not have plans to put the statewide “Fill the Tank” emphasis on its church calendar. But since signing up in early March, the church has seen several commit to be baptized on “Fill the Tank” Baptism Sunday, April 16. “The Lord is doing wonderful things,” said David Cooper, pastor of South Fork.
NC Baptist pastors encourage churches to ‘Fill the Tank’ on April 16
When David Herman, pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Creedmoor, N.C., signed his church up for the “Fill the Tank” emphasis in 2021, he was taking a step of faith. “I remember signing up for it weeks before … and, you know, Satan immediately tells you that there’s not going to be anyone that day,” Herman said.
NC Baptists celebrate new life at ultrasound dedications in Raleigh, Roxboro
When N.C. Baptist leaders gathered in Raleigh on Feb. 24 to celebrate the donation of a new ultrasound machine to Hand of Hope Pregnancy Centers, Tonya Baker Nelson, executive director of Hand of Hope, announced a surprise to the gathering. During the dedication ceremony for the new ultrasound machine, Nelson told the crowd that earlier in life, she had faced a “phenomenal amount of pressure” to abort her own child, having experienced an unexpected pregnancy when she was in her early 20s.
After ‘Coats for the City,’ NC Baptist church finds sending vision
Members of Lake Junaluska First Baptist Church (FBC) are catching a vision for becoming a sending church. This hasn’t always been the case. As Pastor Nick Smith explained, the church only recently began to explore the possibilities of sending members to be on mission. “This church, in its history, has never sent out an actual team on a foreign mission trip and, as far as I know, in its history has only done one other mission trip,” Smith said.
IMB Missions College encourages NC Baptists to respond to lostness around the world
When Dimas Castillo, senior pastor of Living Hope Community Church in Jacksonville, N.C., decided to attend the International Mission Board’s (IMB) Mission College, he had little idea of what to expect. “I had never been to the Missions College — I didn’t even know that those things existed,” Castillo said. “When I looked at the information, I said that this would be really interesting to learn more about missions and how to be involved in missions and things like that.
Rain doesn’t dampen annual Coats for the City outreach in NYC
Rain did not keep the lines from forming as volunteers distributed nearly 5,100 coats and 2,100 sets of gloves, scarves and hats as part of the annual Coats for the City initiative. This year’s event, which took place Dec. 2-3 in New York City and Jersey City, N.J., included 22 churches from North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. Each church worked with N.Y. Baptists at 20 distribution sites across the area.
N.C. Baptists respond to widespread power outages in Moore County
CARY, N.C. – N.C. Baptists on Mission has deployed volunteers and sent supplies to Moore County in response to an alleged act of vandalism that has left nearly 45,000 people without power in central North Carolina. On Monday, Dec. 5, Baptists on Mission began mobilizing volunteers and chaplains to assist residents in the area. Along with volunteers, Baptists on Mission also sent laundry and shower units, a generator and other essential equipment.
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