Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Tim Ellsworth
338 Named to Union University President’s List for Spring 2026
JACKSON, Tenn. - Godfrey's Eliana Synder joined 383 students who were named to Union University in Jackson, Tenn., President's List for the spring 2026 semester. The President's List includes full-time students who achieve a 4.0 grade point average on a four-point scale. Article continues after sponsor message Founded in 1823 and affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, Union University is characterized by quality Christ-centered teaching and learning.
Olympic pin-trading project opens doors to gospel conversations
Contribute photo. Ryan Brown shares the gospel on the streets of Milan during the 2026 Winter Olympics. MILAN, Italy (BP) — Early in her trip to Milan, Italy, for outreach connected to the Winter Olympics, Kim Cruse encountered a college student named Ari who worked at the local cathedral, Duomo di Milano, where she handled entrance tickets for thousands of tourists. “She had never heard of a relationship with Jesus,” Cruse said.
Olympic Pin Trading At Milan-Cortina Games Opens Doors To Gospel Conversations
MILAN — Early in her trip to Milan, Italy, for outreach connected to the Winter Olympics, Kim Cruse encountered a college student named Ari who worked at the local cathedral, Duomo di Milano, where she handled entrance tickets for thousands of tourists. “She had never heard of a relationship with Jesus,” Cruse said.
Olympic Athlete Prepares for Career Finale
This article was originally written by Tim Ellsworth and published to Baptist Press. MILAN, Italy (BP)–For biathlon competitors like Paul Schommer, the sport is a demonstration of athletic opposites. Heart pounding, muscle-burning exertion on skis – stride after stride, mile after mile – only to come to a complete stop. The breathing must slow, the heart must still, as athletes pick up their rifles and take aim at five tiny targets. Then the process repeats itself.
Olympian Paul Schommer Finds Faith And Focus In The Contrasts Of Biathlon
For biathlon competitors like Paul Schommer, the sport is a demonstration of athletic opposites. Heart pounding, muscle-burning exertion on skis – stride after stride, mile after mile – only to come to a complete stop. The breathing must slow, the heart must still, as athletes pick up their rifles and take aim at five tiny targets. Then the process repeats itself.
Olympic biathlete Schommer prepares for career finale in Italy
www.nordicfocus.com. ©Thibaut/NordicFocus. Used by permission. Paul Schommer (USA) - IBU World Cup Biathlon, sprint men, Hochfilzen (AUT). MILAN, Italy (BP)–For biathlon competitors like Paul Schommer, the sport is a demonstration of athletic opposites. Heart pounding, muscle-burning exertion on skis – stride after stride, mile after mile – only to come to a complete stop. The breathing must slow, the heart must still, as athletes pick up their rifles and take aim at five tiny targets.
Union trustees approve purchase of Mid-America campus in Memphis
Contributed photo. Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. JACKSON, Tenn. — Union University will acquire the Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary property on Appling Road in Cordova, Tenn., after university trustees in their Dec. 5 meeting authorized the purchase.
Amid the Darkness of a Horrific Week, God’s Light Still Shines
Amid the Darkness of a Horrific Week, God’s Light Still Shines Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the evil that seems to permeate our age can cause us to despair, but we must never forget that the day is coming when King Jesus will forever cast the Shadow of death and sorrow into utter darkness and His light will blaze forth in unquenchable glory. During a key plot point in the series The Lord of the Rings, hobbit and hero Samwise Gamgee teetered on the edge of despair.
Scopes trial propelled Christians toward scientific engagement, professors say
NASHVILLE (BP) – Growing up in New Mexico, Jeremy Blaschke had never even heard of the Scopes Monkey Trial that took place in Dayton, Tennessee, in July 1925. But as a home schooled teenager and evangelical Christian, he loved science and knew he wanted to study animals to know God better.
Scopes trial propelled Christians toward scientific engagement, professors say
NASHVILLE (BP) – Growing up in New Mexico, Jeremy Blaschke had never even heard of the Scopes Monkey Trial that took place in Dayton, Tennessee, in July 1925. But as a home schooled teenager and evangelical Christian, he loved science and knew he wanted to study animals to know God better.
Scopes trial propelled Christians toward scientific engagement, professors say
NASHVILLE (BP) — Growing up in New Mexico, Jeremy Blaschke had never even heard of the Scopes Monkey Trial that took place in Dayton, Tennessee, in July 1925. But as a home schooled teenager and evangelical Christian, he loved science and knew he wanted to study animals to know God better.
Godfrey Student Among 326 Named To Union University Dean's List
JACKSON, Tenn. - 326 students have been named to the Union University Dean's List for the spring 2025 semester, including the following local student: Article continues after sponsor message Eliana Snyder - Godfrey, IL The Dean's List includes full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average on a four-point scale. Founded in 1823 and affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, Union University is characterized by quality Christ-centered teaching and learning.
Father-daughter duo graduate together: A surprise MBA journey
JACKSON, Tenn. — Cecily Berry got a unique gift from her father Michael when she graduated from Union University on Saturday (May 3) with her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Michael had secretly been working on his own MBA degree and made the May 3 ceremony extra special by graduating with her. Michael, who works as senior plant director for Corelle Brands in the Memphis area, had been thinking about completing an MBA for years.
Union women’s basketball season ends in NCAA Division II national semifinals
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (BP) — The Union University women’s basketball team fell to Cal State Dominguez Hills 68-50 on Wednesday evening in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II national tournament at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. The Lady Bulldogs, seeded seventh in the Elite Eight, finish the season at 33-4 after making their second Final Four appearance since moving to NCAA Division II in 2014.
Pastor recalls Riley Leonard as ‘the most humble kid you’ve ever met’
FAIRHOPE, Alabama (BP) — Ryan Smith remembers the scene after Riley Leonard’s team at Fairhope High School lost a big game against a major rival. Leonard, the starting quarterback for Notre Dame, is “just the most humble kid you’ve ever met,” said Smith, the student pastor at First Baptist Church (FBC) in Fairhope. “He’s standing outside the bus telling everybody to pick their head up. Come on, we’re going to do it next week,” Smith said.
Florida joins South Dakota, Nebraska in defeating pro-abortion amendments
This article was originally written by Tim Ellsworth and published to the Baptist Press. Feature image from X. NASHVILLE (BP) – Florida became the first state to defeat a pro-abortion ballot initiative when voters on Tuesday (Nov. 5) rejected Amendment 4, which would have made abortion a constitutional right.
Florida joins South Dakota, Nebraska in defeating pro-abortion amendments
Florida was one of 10 states with abortion initiatives on state ballots Tuesday, with South Dakota and Nebraska following Florida’s example in defeating measures designed to loosen any restrictions on abortion. Nebraska had both a pro-life and pro-abortion initiative on the ballot. The former passed; the latter failed.
Florida joins South Dakota, Nebraska in defeating pro-abortion amendments
NASHVILLE (BP) — Florida became the first state to defeat a pro-abortion ballot initiative when voters on Tuesday (Nov. 5) rejected Amendment 4, which would have made abortion a constitutional right. Florida was one of 10 states with abortion initiatives on state ballots Tuesday, with South Dakota and Nebraska following Florida’s example in defeating measures designed to loosen any restrictions on abortion. Nebraska had both a pro-life and pro-abortion initiative on the ballot.
Amendment 3 would make Missouri ‘most pro-abortion state,’ opponents say
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP) — Missouri Baptists are battling to defeat a ballot initiative that would enshrine abortion in the state’s constitution and radically alter the abortion landscape in the Show Me State. Amendment 3, which would take effect with a 50% vote on Nov.
Florida Baptists urge rejection of state’s ‘deceptive and extreme’ abortion amendment
Baptist Press By , posted October 24, 2024 in Abortion JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) – A ballot initiative in Florida would drastically loosen the state’s restrictions on abortions, according to Southern Baptist leaders and other pro-life advocates who are highly critical of the measure and are asking voters to reject it. Florida currently bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, a restriction that took effect earlier this year.
Florida Baptists urge rejection of state’s ‘deceptive and extreme’ abortion amendment
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) – A ballot initiative in Florida would drastically loosen the state’s restrictions on abortions, according to Southern Baptist leaders and other pro-life advocates who are highly critical of the measure and are asking voters to reject it. Florida currently bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, a restriction that took effect earlier this year. Amendment 4, known as the “Right to Abortion Initiative,” would instead allow for abortions up to viability, or around 24 weeks.
Johnson Ferry’s family mission trip exposes children to gospel service
MARIETTA, Ga. (BP) — When Allison Young was 10 years old, she moved to Hong Kong with her missionary parents. That significant life change sparked in Young a love for missions that continues to the present — and that she wants to extend not just to other individuals, but to entire families. “I saw as a child with my own eyes what it was like to live out missions — not just hear about it, not just see it at church, but to live it out,” Young said.
Georgia Baptist DR to double number of sites to help Helene victims
Metadata: Topic(s): Disaster ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: SUWANEE, Ga. — In the more than three weeks since Hurricane Helene tore through Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers have been working hard to help those affected by the storm. “It has been a very fast-paced situation since Hurricane Helene came through our state,” said Dwain Carter, director of Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief.
SBC DIGEST: For the Church videos available; Holman launches Oswald Chambers Bible
For the Church Conference videos available By BP Staff KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) – Videos of all sessions from the 2024 For the Church Conference at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary are available on the seminary’s website, here. Speakers include Jason Allen, JT English, Tony Merida, Kevin Ezell, Jared Wilson, and Crawford Loritts, plus the Women’s Pre-Conference with Jen Wilkin and the Knowing Faith Podcast live recording. A recap video of the conference is below.
Porn use grows among Christians, study says, urging church to offer healing
Metadata: Topic(s): CultureFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: 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 in calling the church to be a place of healing for those impacted by the pervasive and destructive phenomenon.
Johnson Ferry’s first family mission trip exposes children to Gospel service
Metadata: Topic(s): Churches and MinistryFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: MARIETTA, Ga. (BP) – When Allison Young was 10 years old, she moved to Hong Kong with her missionary parents. That significant life change sparked in Young a love for missions that continues to the present – and that she wants to extend not just to other individuals, but to entire families.
6 ways to be more broken over lostness
Metadata: Format(s): Text Articles Share this post: As Christians, we are called to share the gospel with the world (Matt. 28:18-20). Studies show us, though, that most Christians seldom if ever share their faith with a non-believer. If evangelism is a struggle for you, think about these ways to deepen your burden over non-believers: Be grateful for God’s grace in your life. Jesus told us that the way to life is narrow, and few people find it (Matt. 7:13-14).
Southern Baptist chief of Air Force chaplains retires after three decades of ministry
Metadata: Topic(s): North American Mission BoardFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: OXFORD, Fla. (BP) – As Chaplain Major General Randy Kitchens thinks back over more than 30 years of chaplaincy ministry in the U.S. Air Force, it’s the opportunities he had to share Jesus that stand out. From combat zones to counseling sessions, Kitchens often found himself in moments where faith became an anchor for the airmen he served.
FIRST-PERSON: Why I admire pastors and you should too
Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, was one of the greatest elected officials in our nation’s history and one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known. He was a tsunami of energy, one who never saw a mountain too tall to scale or a fight too threatening to join. He shook the nation, invented the modern presidency, and left a changed country in his wake.
5 ways to encourage your pastor
Metadata: Format(s): Text Articles Share this post: Very few people understand the weight of shepherding God’s people within the local church. It is a high calling of the Lord. To be sure, it is so difficult that, at times, the only thing that sustains a pastor is his calling from God. Even still, we live in a day in which faithful and true shepherds experience a high rate of burnout, depression, or leave the ministry altogether.
FROM THE SEMINARIES: NOBTS pastors’ summit; SBTS Norton Lectures
Metadata: Series: SBC DigestsTopic(s): New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: NOBTS partners with Baptist state conventions for pastors’ summit By Timothy Cockes/NOBTS NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary partnered with five Baptist state conventions to facilitate the Prepare Here Pastors’ Summit (Oct.
5 secrets to ministry longevity
Many of us in ministry leadership are grieved by recent revelations of high-profile pastors who were discovered to have been unfaithful in their marriage. These discoveries continue to shock us and serve as a reminder that we are all in a battle against the flesh and the devil. The overwhelming majority of pastors, however, are faithful to their wife and to the Lord who called them into the ministry. I had lunch with one of those pastors recently.
Lone Christian convicted for praying silently in large UK abortion buffer zone
Metadata: Topic(s): AbortionFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: DORSET COUNTY, England (BP) – An Army veteran and father of three was found guilty Oct. 16 of praying silently in a large abortion buffer zone in England and fined the equivalent of $11,700, Alliance Defending Freedom UK (ADF UK) reported. Adam Smith-Conner could face jail time under the conditional discharge the court granted, his attorneys said, if he commits the same crime within the next two years.
Youth event at Florida church thrives with focus on discipleship
Metadata: Topic(s): DiscipleshipFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. (BP) – An annual youth evangelism event at First Baptist Church had been slowly dwindling when Tyler Pearce started as student pastor four years ago.
BIBLE STUDY: A helping hand
Metadata: Topic(s): LifewayFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.
Spiritual encounters occur in Olympics hospitality spaces
PARIS (BP)—At first, Adam Moore was a little skeptical about one of the Olympics outreach strategies in which his mission team was participating. Eighteen members of Peninsula Baptist Church in Mooresville, N.C., spent the week in Paris, engaging people in gospel conversations. (BP Submitted photo) Moore, the teaching and sending pastor at Peninsula Baptist Church in Mooresville, N.C., led a team of 18 members of his church to minister in Paris for a week.
FIRST-PERSON: Prayer and evangelism reinforce one another
Editor’s Note: The following excerpt is by Joe M. Allen III, published with permission from Before You Go: Wisdom From 10 Men on Serving Internationally, edited by Matthew Bennett and Joshua Bowman. Prayer and evangelism go together like chocolate and peanut butter. The two practices mutually reinforce one another and enhance the other spiritual disciplines. The dynamic happens like this: the more you pray, the more you attune your heart to God’s heart, and specifically, God’s heart for the lost.
Northern California church continues ministry despite wildfire trauma
Metadata: Topic(s): Churches and Ministry, Disaster ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: PARADISE, Calif. (BP) – Six years after the fire that took 85 percent of the town, Sam and Heather Walker are again looking to the sky and being ready for action at any time. Sam, pastor of First Baptist Church in Paradise, had an early breakfast meeting with a friend on Nov. 8, 2018. He took note that it was particularly windy that morning.
Special spaces for art, hospitality spark spiritual conversations at Olympics
Metadata: Topic(s): Evangelism, SportsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: PARIS (BP) – At first, Adam Moore was a little skeptical about one of the Olympics outreach strategies in which his mission team was participating. Moore, the teaching and sending pastor at Peninsula Baptist Church in Mooresville, N.C., led a team of 18 members of his church to minister in Paris for a week.
BIBLE STUDY: The great value of knowing Jesus Christ
Metadata: Topic(s): LifewayFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: Curriculum: The Gospel Project Bible Passage: Philippians 3 Discussion Questions: · What false teachings today may make us stray from exalting and boasting in Christ alone? · What are some things we need to see as losses compared to the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ? · What can you confess that you’ve boasted in, rather than boasting in Christ?
‘God first’ commitment fuels Armstrong’s Olympics outlook
His Instagram account proclaims “GOD FIRST!” and U.S. Olympic swimmer Hunter Armstrong tries to be faithful to that description whether he’s winning gold medals or not. “That’s the first thing I want people to see and know about me,” Armstrong told Baptist Press. “As we grow, we have to make sure we have our priorities in line. I keep God as a priority. I can’t really live without Him.
July 31, 2024 | Baptist Press
News Articles By , posted July 31, 2024 in Metadata: Series: Your Daily JoeFormat(s): Photo Share this post: Resource Categories: Articulos en Español BP Toolbox Comics News Articles By Topic By Scripture By Series By Author By Year By Event SBC Life Articles Browse Resources By: Author Scripture Series Topic Event Year Media Type: Photo Text Articles Law-enforcement chaplains needed on the front lines By , posted July 30, 2024 Todd Fisher recovering after automobile accident By , posted July...
8 questions about our burden for the lost
Metadata: Format(s): Text Articles Share this post: I had recently stood in a region of the world where folks do not consider the God of the Bible to be God. Seeing the masses broke me like I had been broken only once before in my life. I saw afresh my loved ones, my neighbors, and the nations who do not know Jesus. Honest, painful reflection forces me to admit, though, that I still sometimes lose my passion for the lost.
IMB using virtual reality at Olympics to provide immersive introduction to Jesus
Metadata: Format(s): Text Articles Share this post: PARIS (BP) — You are in France for the Olympics and see someone handing out free water bottles. It’s hot, and you’re thirsty, so you take one, but don’t stop to talk. On the bottle you notice a QR code. Later, when you get home, out of curiosity, you scan the QR code on your phone, and it takes you to a website that asks, “Who Am I?” You see an option for a virtual reality (VR) experience and put on your headset.
Down a long lonesome highway, Nevada pastors gather to reinforce importance of fellowship
Metadata: Topic(s): Churches and Ministry, Cooperating for the GospelFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: ELKO, Nev. (BP) — An example in contrasts, Nevada is home to the glitz of Las Vegas as well as the loneliest road in America. It appears on lists for both the fastest-growing and least densely populated states. The land has mountains but also vast deserts. It’s also known as some of the best stargazing country you can find.
Law-enforcement chaplains needed on the front lines
Metadata: Topic(s): North American Mission BoardFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—As the police car headed out of an apartment complex and toward Main Street of a small Tennessee town, Pastor Michael Koontz looked out the window at the Halloween decorations in a small house on the corner. As a law enforcement chaplain, Koontz had grown accustomed to surprises while he rode along with men in blue. But not much had prepared him for what would happen next on this day.
Commitment to God fuels Armstrong’s Olympics outlook
PARIS, France (BP)—Hunter Armstrong’s Instagram account proclaims “GOD FIRST!” The U.S. Olympic swimmer tries to be faithful to that description, whether he’s winning gold medals or not. “That’s the first thing I want people to see and know about me,” Armstrong told Baptist Press. “As we grow, we have to make sure we have our priorities in line. “I keep God as a priority. I can’t really live without him.
Ukrainian journalists paint dire image of homeland
Religious freedom no longer exists in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, where religious leaders have been abducted and sometimes tortured, several Ukrainian journalists said during a recent visit to the United States. “There is no religious freedom in the occupied areas. There is only the Russian Orthodox Church. Other churches have been closed, and pastors have been arrested,” said Vlasta Lazur with Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe.
Are some churches stuck in the past?
Metadata: Format(s): Text Articles Share this post: BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) — Pews? Where we’re going, we don’t need pews. Some churchgoers say walking into their church feels like time travel, with ministry that would be at home in the past. Around 3 in 10 (29%) U.S. Protestant churchgoers say their church’s ministry activities and methods would fit best in a time period before the turn of the new millennium, according to a new study from Lifeway Research.
‘God First’ Commitment Fuels Armstrong’s Paris Olympics Dream
PARIS — His Instagram account proclaims “GOD FIRST!” and U.S. Olympic swimmer Hunter Armstrong tries to be faithful to that description whether he’s winning gold medals or not. “That’s the first thing I want people to see and know about me,” Armstrong told Baptist Press. “As we grow, we have to make sure we have our priorities in line. I keep God as a priority. I can’t really live without Him.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Tim
Contact Tim, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack