Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
May 14, 2020
By Tess Schoonhoven Baptist Press NASHVILLE — Thirty years ago this summer, a group of 137 youth and adults spent a week in Appalachian coal country doing construction work on nine homes and sharing the Gospel in the neighborhoods where they worked. That pilot project in the East Tennessee community of Briceville marked the beginning […]
May 13, 2020
By Diana Chandler Baptist Press SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Southern Baptist pastors in several states are concerned that governmental restrictions on reopening the economy might unduly impact churches. Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA) Executive Director Nate Adams said many pastors believe the five-phase “Restore Illinois” plan, released May 5 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, is too cautious. […]
May 11, 2020
By Ann Lovell IMB editorial design manager On average, eight Christians died every day for their faith in 2019. That equals more than 2,920 people killed for the cause of Christ last year, according to the 2020 annual report from Open Doors’ World Watch List. In addition, 9,488 churches or Christian buildings were attacked, and […]
May 7, 2020
By Margaret Colson The Alabama Baptist BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Numerous Southern Baptist entities, including state conventions, seminaries and national entities and auxiliaries, are implementing budget and staff reductions in response to the economic downturn resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. State conventions were among the first entities to take significant budgetary action during the pandemic. […]
May 5, 2020
By Aaron Earls LifeWay Christian Resources writer As churches adjust to ministry in a post-COVID-19 world, LifeWay has developed a collection of resources to help congregations. The new Church Assistance Package from LifeWay is available for any congregation around the world and can be accessed at lifeway.com/churchassistance. “LifeWay wants to do everything we can to help […]
May 1, 2020
By Aaron Earls LifeWay Christian Resources writer NASHVILLE — As federal, state and local governments weigh relaxing stay-at-home guidelines, most churches continued to avoid gathering physically throughout April. Nine in 10 Protestant pastors say their congregations did not meet for an in-person worship service last month, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. […]
May 1, 2020
By Carol Pipes Director of corporate communications, LifeWay NASHVILLE — LifeWay Christian Resources announced this week they are canceling World Changers mission projects for summer 2020 and closing all future operations due to declining numbers and the inability to host projects this summer because of COVID-19. “We are sad about the closing of World Changers, […]
April 29, 2020
By Carol Pipes NASHVILLE, Tenn. — LifeWay Christian Resources is implementing a series of budgetary freezes, cutbacks and staff reductions in response to the economic crisis resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. LifeWay CEO Ben Mandrell cited a steep and steady decline of sales since mid-March, as well as uncertainty in the ability to host […]
April 23, 2020
By Baptist Press staff NASHVILLE – LifeWay Christian Resources trustees have authorized exploring the sale of Ridgecrest Conference Center and Summer Camps despite the conference center and camps operating at a profit in recent years. The trustee board’s executive committee presented the recommendation to the full board during a special-called meeting held virtually and in […]
April 9, 2020
By Diana Chandler Baptist Press SEATTLE — As pastor of Epic Life Church in Seattle with only five employees, Keith Carpenter sees the Paycheck Protection Plan loan as a godsend during a devastating economic downturn prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. So does pastor A.B. Vines, whose multisite New Seasons Church in Spring Valley, Calif., employs […]
April 2, 2020
By Aaron Earls LifeWay Christian Resources NASHVILLE — The coronavirus outbreak has had ripple effects across the country, including in U.S. churches, according to a new study of pastors. Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked Protestant pastors how the pandemic has impacted their congregations and what their plans are for the near future. While nearly all pastors […]
April 2, 2020
By Diana Chandler Baptist Press AUSTIN, Texas — Church worship and ministry are considered essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas under the latest protocols issued by Gov. Greg Abbott, but several pastors said Abbott’s directive likely won’t change their church safety protocols. First Baptist Church of Vidor pastor Terry Wright said he switched […]