Child of God, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, Husband, Father, KBC Executive Director Treasurer
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 Todd Gray
Tennessee church facilities director hasn’t missed a Sunday in 45 years
Wiley Couch Metadata: Topic(s): SBC NewsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: RED BANK, Tenn. – Wiley Couch, 75, has served as facilities director at Red Bank & The Point Church for 45 years, not missing a single Sunday in more than 1,500 consecutive weeks. “God’s allowed me to have good health to where I could do that,” Couch said. “It’s been 1,500 consecutive Sundays as of Aug. 10, 2025.” In his role, Couch oversees maintenance, janitorial staff and the church’s vehicle fleet.
Resolutions Committee releases slate for 2026 SBC Annual Meeting
NASHVILLE (BP) – The slate of resolutions for the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention has been released by the committee appointed by SBC President Clint Pressley. The group has released resolutions dealing with current SBC topics such as the office of the pastor and disability ministry along with cultural topics like immigration, political violence and artificial intelligence. Committee Chair Hunter Baker said the group listened to resolution submitters. The resolutions are available at sbc.net.
A glorious work in progress
Metadata: Topic(s): Churches & MinistryFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: EDINBURG, Texas — From the second floor of the new building under construction, Gerardo Lorenzo watched the progress of the work with gratitude. What was once a prayer was now taking shape in steel and concrete. As he stood there talking with a fellow pastor, a man approached from the street. “Are you the pastor?” he asked. The man explained that he passed by that route every day on his way to work.
Hershael York presents last message as dean at SBTS chapel
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two accounts from Luke 10 provided the text for Dr. Hershael York’s last chapel message Tuesday in his role as the Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Seminary. York, who will step down from the dean position after the spring semester, will continue to be on the faculty as professor of Christian preaching. In his chapel message, he used Luke 10 to explain the clarity Jesus gives to our confused priorities — to live with the priorities of Jesus.
Evangelistic preaching
Adobe Stock Photo. Do not publish. Metadata: Topic(s): Churches & MinistryFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: I have preached lots of evangelistic sermons and many revival services. I have a natural God-given bent toward evangelistic preaching, but I am by no means an expert. Famous nineteenth century evangelist D.L. Moody is credited with saying, “Many a man can preach the gospel better than me, but no man can preach a better gospel.” We need more evangelistic preaching in our states.
SBC’s abuse prevention office launches revamped helpline
Metadata: Topic(s): Executive Committee, Sexual AbuseFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention’s Office for Abuse Prevention and Response has launched a revamped helpline for those needing assistance with matters related to sexual abuse.
LaVergne Community Church unites nations in onsite worship in five languages
Metadata: Topic(s): Churches and Ministry, EthnicityFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: LA VERGNE, Tenn. (BP) – Worshipers sang “Santo por siempre,” translated “Holy forever,” as worship pastor Javier Chirinos led praise Aug. 17 during the 11:30 a.m. Spanish language service at La Vergne Community Church. Non-Spanish speakers joined in, aided by the Polyglossia app.
Salt Lake City construction plans force proposed change for 2027 SBC Annual Meeting
NASHVILLE (BP) – A major renovation project is forcing the SBC Annual Meeting to move from Salt Lake City in 2027, according to the SBC Executive Committee. Messengers to the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting will be asked to allow the meeting to move to Indianapolis, the 2024 host city. “We regret the annual meeting had to move from the western part of the country, but we were unable to find any options in the West on such short notice,” SBC Executive Committee President Jeff Iorg told Baptist Press.
FIRST-PERSON: 5 reasons for a strong DR ministry
Metadata: Series: First PersonTopic(s): Disaster ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: In the aftermath of the recent tornadoes in the commonwealth, there was a compassionate and organized response from Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief. When storms and floods come into our state, KBC Disaster Relief Director Ron Crow goes to work communicating with volunteers and preparing for mobilization.
The Cooperative Program: A brief history
Metadata: Topic(s): Cooperative ProgramFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Southern Baptists have been missionary minded since their first day and their first action.
Preaching fails
Great message for all Pastors, including ME!! Amen! Baptist Press By , posted September 23, 2024 I remember one Sunday leaving a church service and asking a close friend for feedback on my preaching. The friend said, “Maybe you’re called to teach instead of preach.” My friend was only confirming what I knew. The sermon didn’t go well, and it was my fault. I wish I could say that is the only time I had a “preaching fail” but, unfortunately, it was not. There have been many others since then.
Send Relief helps war survivors, displaced families in the Holy Land
TEL AVIV, Israel – As Israel continues air strikes against Hamas in Gaza in the wake of the terrorist organization’s brutal, October 7 surprise attack, an estimated 60,000 Israelis and 1 million Palestinians have been displaced as war ravages the 141 square-mile region. “Following the Hamas attack on Israel, everybody knew it was bad, worse than anything they had seen,” said one Baptist representative who served in and around Israel for more than a decade.
Cleveland church plant seeks to shine a light from former strip club property
Metadata: Topic(s): Church PlantingFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: CLEVELAND, Ohio (BP) – It may seem strange for a church plant to purchase a property which was formerly a strip club, but pastor Josh Miller said Cove City Church’s new renovation project fits right along with their mission of bringing light to a dark place. Earlier this year, Cove City purchased a foreclosed building right next door to its current meeting space.
Four Ways to Create Healthy Culture to Grow Your Organization
Have you ever gotten the sense that you just don’t like the way things feel in your organization? You have a great team, worked hard on crafting a mission statement, recruited excellent team members, have really clear systems, and you’re implementing a well thought out strategy, but still something just doesn’t feel right? When you’re in a meeting, a gathering, an event, it’s nothing you can point to specifically but something just feels off. You could have a culture problem. Why Culture?
Refugee resettlement up in U.S., still below government limit
WASHINGTON (BP) – Refugee resettlement in the U.S., a cause promoted by Southern Baptists and other evangelicals, doubled in March from the previous month, the Department of State said in its monthly report. The U.S. accepted 6,122 refugees in March, double the February total of 3,069 and far surpassing previous months this fiscal year ranging from 2,152 to 2,481.
Virginia church hosts Thanksgiving ‘Lottie Waddle’ to raise money for missions
NASHVILLE (BP) – In addition to being a day to eat delicious food, Thanksgiving is one of the most popular running days of the year, with thousands of people competing in “Turkey Trot” races before gobbling down their meals. For the last 10 years, Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox, Va., has instead hosted a “Lottie Waddle” running event to raise money for international missions and reach out to its community.
Protestors disrupt pro-life banquet with obscene outbursts
ARLINGTON, Va. (BP) – A crisis pregnancy care center in Washington is reconsidering its admission policy after a group who registered as church members erupted in profanity-laced outbursts at a fundraising dinner Dec. 1. “These people that were there actually signed up to come,” Janet Durig, executive director of the Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center, told Baptist Press. “They actually registered and we had them seated at a table.
Pandemic religious restrictions led to oppressive actions, study finds
About one-fourth of nearly 200 nations studied by the Pew Research Center used force to prevent religious gatherings during the COVID pandemic. A newly released Pew study of restrictions on religion around the world examined 198 countries and territories.
Georgia Baptist Mission Board to lease building, staff moving off-site
DULUTH, Ga. (BP) – A statement sent to Georgia Baptist Mission Board Executive Committee members Dec. 1. announced that the Board has “secured a letter of intent” from a corporation to lease its building “beginning in the next two months.” Staff – the number of which has decreased over the years after rounds of layoffs and early retirement offers – will be moved to two locations.
EC trustees vote to approve initial, future funding of sexual abuse response
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee (EC) voted June 2 to revise previously recommended budgets in order to fund recommendations made by the Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF).
FBC Tulsa pastor reacts to shooting that ‘rocked’ community
TULSA, Okla. (BP) – Deron Spoo, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Tulsa, was visiting church members at St. Francis Hospital June 1 when police and emergency workers began lockdown procedures. It was only after he made it to his car and turned on the radio that he learned a gunman had killed four people in a hospital building before taking his own life. “As I walked to my car, there were already two helicopters in the air and a number of sirens going off,” Spoo said.
SATF recommends ‘Ministry Check’ database, Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force
NASHVILLE (BP) – A report issued Wednesday from the Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) includes “challenges” for Southern Baptist groups toward better abuse prevention policies as well as two recommendations, including the formation of a website to maintain a record of those credibly accused or convicted of sexual abuse. Those challenges included the request for a $3 million allocation to fund the implementation of sexual abuse reforms over the next year.
FIRST-PERSON: Equipping the called
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – When only about 10 percent of the churches in your association are served by full-time pastors, you need a strong bench of biblically qualified men to fill the pulpits of the churches. That is the case with the Three Forks Baptist Association in eastern Kentucky, led by AMS Jamie Reynolds. In 2005, two local church pastors recognized this need and began an effort to train local men to prepare and preach biblical sermons.
FROM THE STATES: SBTC to hire survivor care consultant; KBC preparing handbook for churches on sexual abuse
SBTC to hire sexual abuse and survivor care consultant By TEXAN Staff GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP) – As part of an increasing effort to address sexual abuse concerns and allegations in Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches, the SBTC has announced it will hire a consultant for sexual abuse and survivor care.
Covering up abuse doesn’t solve the problem
T he Guidepost Solutions Sexual Abuse Task Force Report released Sunday afternoon was heartbreaking and shocking, to say the least. The abuse perpetrated against fellow image-bearers — the fact that those involved in abuse held positions of leadership in Christian ministry, and the fact that the abuse was covered up — speaks to the level of spiritual darkness that was allowed to reign in some Southern Baptist churches and entities.
SBC DIGEST: EC search team survey; Southeastern bachelor’s in business; NAAF board meeting
EC search team releases survey, requests input from Southern Baptists By BP Staff NASHVILLE (BP) – A survey to aid in developing a candidate profile for the next president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee has been released by the team charged with hiring the successor to Ronnie Floyd, who left the organization in October 2021.
Haitian American pastors mobilize to help migrants, end expulsions
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.
Attack at First Baptist Port-au-Prince latest in string of violence in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (BP) – Local media is reporting that a deacon at First Baptist Church Port-au-Prince was killed and his wife kidnapped as they prepared to enter Sunday morning worship Sept. 26. Sylner Lafaille died later at a hospital from wounds he suffered in the attack that injured several others and was carried out by “a group of heavily armed men,” according to various reports. Lafaille’s injuries came after he tried unsuccessfully to prevent the kidnapping of his wife, Marie.
SBC Executive Committee calls special meeting for Sept. 28
NASHVILLE (BP) –Members of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee are scheduled to meet for a special-called virtual meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 28) at 2:00 pm CDT. SBC EC Chairman Rolland Slade notified trustees of the meeting early Sunday afternoon. The meeting is the follow-up to a motion passed at the Sept. 21 SBC EC meeting in Nashville.
Southern Baptist leaders react to Chauvin verdict
MINNEAPOLIS (BP) – Leaders and pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention joined others today (April 20) in commenting on the verdict of former police officer Derek Chauvin as guilty on all counts in the death of George Floyd.
Who do you call in perilous times? God calls a preacher
Those among us who were around in the '80s will recall the melodic refrain from singer-songwriter Ray Parker, Jr., asking, "Who you gonna call?" The question comes on the heels of strange happenings in the neighborhood and we all know the answer is … "Ghostbusters." Ghosts are not our problem today, but there are strange things happening in our contemporary culture: • Love has grown cold among people with differing perspectives.
People need the Lord
Lessons learned while going door-to-door By Todd Gray Published February 1, 2021 On a recent Sunday, I was honored to preach in a Kentucky Baptist church with more than 200 years of ministry under its belt. We enjoyed a great Sunday School lesson using Lifeway resources. The person who introduced me referenced the well-known Southern Baptist icon, Lottie Moon, as the offering that bears her name was promoted.
Western Recorder legacy will continue
By Todd Gray Published January 1, 2021 The decision to cease publication of the Western Recorder magazine was a difficult one — even though it had, for a time, appeared inevitable. The Western Recorder, under the leadership of Interim Managing Editor Chip Hutcheson, has become a reliable source of news stories that highlight what God is doing among Kentucky Baptists.
Friends needed to save lives of babies
By Todd Gray Published January 1, 2021 The Bible teaches that being a friend to someone in need is a pretty big deal. Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." John 15:13 shows us that, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Being a friend to someone means that we do what is necessary to help in their time of need.
5 suggestions for giving this Christmas
By Todd Gray Published December 1, 2020 Connie, my wife of 27 years, lives her life with the joy of giving. You may be familiar with Gary Chapman's book, The Five Love Languages. In this work, Chapman identifies five ways people receive and give love: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch. Connie has all five of the love languages — but receiving gifts may be one of her top ones. I know this because she loves to give gifts.
Thankful for God’s faithfulness now and in days ahead
Thank you, Kentucky Baptists! Coming out of our Kentucky Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Owensboro we have much to be thankful for and much to look forward to.
Thanksgiving...more than a holiday
By Todd Gray Published November 1, 2020 What do ministry burnout and thanksgiving have in common? Much. Let me explain. In 2008, or thereabouts, I found myself experiencing something that I had not known prior to that time. The church I was serving was doing well. People were being saved and discipled. Progress in our ministry to the community was happening. My family was healthy. What more could a pastor ask for, right? The problem was that I was not well.
CP investment reaps great dividends
By Todd Gray Published October 1, 2020 Recently I had the privilege of meeting one of our great Kentucky Baptist pastors who is a product of your Cooperative Program investment. In fact, he would probably say that CP has helped raise him for ministry. Frank Stratton is pastor of Park City Baptist Church in Barren County. The church is doing well under his leadership. Attendance is strong and giving is stronger. He has faithfully led through the COVID-19 restrictions and is excited about the future.
Generous people are blessed
By Todd Gray Published September 1, 2020 Proverbs 11:25 makes this bold statement about generosity, "The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." The King James translation of the Bible uses words in ways we no longer use them.
Transportation Law Update - May 2020 - Transport - United States
Mondaq Ltd requires you to register and provide information that personally identifies you, including your content preferences, for three primary purposes (full details of Mondaq’s use of your personal data can be found in our Privacy and Cookies Notice): Mondaq hopes that our registered users will support us in maintaining our free to view business model by consenting to our use of your personal data as described below. Mondaq has a "free to view" business model.
How to help in troubling times
Our nation and commonwealth are in a great state of unrest. Given the recent injustices demonstrated toward George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery there has been a national outcry of public grief and protest. What should followers of Christ and church leaders do in times like these?
Defending Against Attempts To Hold CMV Drivers To A Higher Standard Of Care
Mondaq Ltd requires you to register and provide information that personally identifies you, including your content preferences, for three primary purposes (full details of Mondaq’s use of your personal data can be found in our Privacy and Cookies Notice): Mondaq hopes that our registered users will support us in maintaining our free to view business model by consenting to our use of your personal data as described below. Mondaq has a "free to view" business model.
How to help in troubling times
By DR. TODD GRAY, KBC executive director-treasurer Our nation and commonwealth are in a great state of unrest. Given the recent injustices demonstrated toward George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery there has been a national outcry of public grief and protest. What should followers of Christ and church leaders do in times like these?
Getting ready to re-enter on May 20
Kentucky Baptists were glad to hear Gov. Andy Beshear’s recent announcement that guidelines will soon be in place for churches to begin in-person services on May 20. For the pastor who has been preaching to the congregations via Facebook live, this came as welcomed news. While the announcement did not include explicit details, we expect those to come by the end of next week. We do know that in-person services will not look the same as they have in the past.
Getting ready to re-enter on May 20
By TODD GRAY, Kentucky Baptist Convention Kentucky Baptists were glad to hear Gov. Andy Beshear’s recent announcement that guidelines will soon be in place for churches to begin in-person services on May 20. For the pastor who has been preaching to the congregations via Facebook live this came as welcomed news. While the announcement did not include explicit details, we expect those to come by the end of next week. We do know that in-person services will not look the same as they have in the past.
Remember, churches are essential
Gov. Beshear, thank you for striving to lead well during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is little doubt that your leadership has prevented the spread of the coronavirus in Kentucky. Thank you also for your efforts to acknowledge the essential role of churches in the commonwealth. Churches and their leaders, as you know, provide hope and direction through the preaching of God’s word, food and clothing for those in need, compassionate ministry to the sick and grieving, and much, much more.
Let Gov. Beshear hear your voice
The regular session of the 2020 General Assembly session is over and there is legislation on Governor Beshear’s desk awaiting a response from him. One bill of particular significance to Kentucky Baptists is Senate Bill 9. Senate Bill 9 passed on the last day of the General Assembly. It includes what is known as the “born alive bill” that requires medical workers to provide care to newborn infants in the first minutes of life outside their mother’s womb.
Let Gov. Beshear hear your voice
By DR. TODD GRAY, Executive Director-Treasurer of KBC The regular session of the 2020 General Assembly session is over and there is legislation on Governor Beshear’s desk awaiting a response from him. One bill of particular significance to Kentucky Baptists is Senate Bill 9. Senate Bill 9 passed on the last day of the General Assembly.
KBC leader provides guidance for churches facing gathering issues
By DR. TODD GRAY, KBC Executive Director-Treasurer What should a pastor do when faced with a discrepancy between our governor’s recommendations and those of local officials? That is the question many of our Kentucky Baptist pastors have found themselves needing to answer in recent days. Governor Beshear has given his support of and guidelines for drive-in worship services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Easter encouragement to Kentucky Baptist pastors
This Sunday will be different than any we have ever experienced. For those who have answered to call to preach the gospel, Resurrection Sunday is a highlight every year. On this annual gathering, pastors preach to people they do not see often, or ever.
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 Todd
Contact Todd, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack