Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
November 11, 2025
By Zoë WatkinsCommunications specialistJACKSON — Jeff Iorg delivered a challenge during Monday night’s session at the 2025 Tennessee Baptist Convention Summit about who Southern Baptists welcome into the fold. “One of the things that discourages me about some Southern Baptists and some Christians today is we are pre-qualifying who can come to Jesus and be […]
November 10, 2025
By Scott BarkleyBaptist PressLENOIR CITY (BP) – The idea came up during a men’s Bible study on Oct. 29 at First Baptist Church. The government was shut down. The news said that, come Saturday, a lot of people were going to lose SNAP benefits that put food on the table. Something needed to be done. […]
November 7, 2025
By Scott BarkleyBaptist PressWASHINGTON (BP) – Faith leaders, including those from the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, are urging the confirmation of Congressman Mark Walker as International Religious Freedom (IRF) ambassador-at-large. A letter to President Trump signed and delivered last week, commends his “steadfast commitment to religious liberty” and his nomination of Walker, a former Southern […]
November 4, 2025
By Diana ChandlerBaptist PressWASHINGTON (BP) — U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) Oct. 31 for tolerating religious freedom violations especially against Christians, and threatened sanctions and military force to discourage such persecution. Trump’s Oct. 31 Truth Social announcement naming Nigeria a CPC and his Nov. 1 announcement threatening military […]
October 31, 2025
By Aaron EarlsLifeway Christian ResourcesBRENTWOOD – The average Southern Baptist church is likely an older, small Southern church. If you want to find a growing congregation, however, you might need to look for a new, larger church – or even one in the Northeast. Recent Lifeway Research analysis of the 2024 Annual Church Profile reveals a […]
October 29, 2025
By Brandon ElrodNorth American Mission BoardATLANTA – Southern Baptists recognized Student Baptism Sunday Oct. 26 during a season in American religious life when church attendance among young people has been on the rise. “For a few years, I personally witnessed more and more young people coming to faith in Christ when I would preach around […]
October 27, 2025
By Aaron EarlsLifeway Christian ResourcesBRENTWOOD — Life in rural America has its charms and challenges. Those who pastor in small towns across the United States recognize the trials inherent to those areas but believe God is working in their congregations and communities. A Lifeway Research study of pastors in small towns and rural areas identified […]
October 24, 2025
By Diana ChandlerBaptist PressNIAMEY, Niger (BP) – An evangelical Christian missionary from the U.S. was kidnapped late Oct. 21 in Niamey, Niger, less than 100 yards from the presidential palace, CBS News reported. Several news outlets, including Crosswalk and the Long War Journal, identified the missionary as Kevin Rideout of Serving in Mission (SIM) International. Rideout […]
October 21, 2025
By Erin RoachBaptist PressNote: Chapman will be remembered at a memorial service at 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at Triune Baptist Church, located at 8094 Horton Highway in Arrington, Tenn. The memorial service will be livestreamed at Triune Baptist Church’s Facebook page. Crawford Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. NASHVILLE (BP) – Morris H. […]
October 20, 2025
SEBTS staffWAKE FOREST, N.C. – Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Daniel L. Akin announced on Oct. 14 that he will retire from the role at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. His official retirement date is July 31, 2026. Akin, Southeastern’s longest serving president, made the announcement in a chapel service during the SEBTS […]
October 16, 2025
By Diana ChandlerBaptist PressPHILADELPHIA, Pa. (BP) — Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults think the Bible is “just another book of teachings written by people,” the American Bible Society (ABS) said in its latest release from the 2025 State of the Bible. More people are skeptical of the Bible’s teachings than those who think the […]
October 14, 2025
IMB and NAMB StaffNASHVILLE – Southern Baptists continue to prioritize pushing back lostness through missions, marking another strong year of generous giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® and theAnnie Armstrong Easter Offering®. When the books closed on the SBC’s 2024-25 fiscal year Sept. 30, the Lottie offering totaled $207.2 million, and the Annie offering […]