Compiled from Baptist Press NASHVILLE — Willie McLaurin expresses a difference between working “in the business” and working “on the business.” “So many leaders, they’re working in the business. They’re putting out fires. They’re crossing the Ts and dotting the Is. That’s working in the business,” McLaurin said. “But I’ve learned how to work on the business. “That just simply means that on a regular basis, I have to constantly

By Carol Pipes Lifeway news office NASHVILLE — Southern Baptist congregations saw a rebound in the number of baptisms and an increase of $304 million in overall giving in 2021, both hopeful signs congregations are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Southern Baptist congregations baptized 154,701 in 2021, a 26 percent increase from 123,160 reported in 2020, according to the Annual Church Profile (ACP) compiled by Lifeway Christian Resources in cooperation

Recent baptism believed to be first among people group Editor’s note: Some names have been changed for security reasons. By Leslie Peacock Caldwell IMB news office COLOMBIA  — In early April 2022, IMB missionary Travis Burkhalter waded into the rushing waters of a jungle river in Colombia to baptize Sarah, the first known follower of Christ among her tribe.  With tribe members watching from the bank of the river and

By Scott Barkley Baptist Press NASHVILLE — 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