News

GUIDEPOST INTERVIEWS EC STAFF, TRUSTEES AND ABUSE SURVIVORS

By Scott Barkley  Baptist Press NASHVILLE — In its most recent update, the Sex Abuse Task Force reported that Guidepost Solutions has interviewed approximately 32 current and former SBC Executive Committee staff, 54 current or former EC trustees and abuse survivors “who have affirmatively reached out to the Guidepost investigative team.” The report released yesterday is in conjunction with the independent third-party review approved by messengers at last year’s SBC annual meeting.

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MCLAURIN SHARES WITH EDITORS AT ASBP

By Trennis Henderson The Baptist Paper One week into his new role as interim president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, Willie McLaurin told Baptist editors, “In this season, the Lord is allowing us to hit the reset button. He’s allowing us to really just say, ‘What is it that we’re really trying to do?’” McLaurin, who previously served two years as the Executive Committee’s vice president for Great

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SEVEN ENCOURAGING TRENDS OF GLOBAL CHRISTIANITY IN 2022

By Aaron Earls Writer, Lifeway Christian Resources Regardless of the situation in the United States, Christianity is growing around the world, especially in the global South, according to recently released analysis. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary regularly updates a report tracking statistics and trends of religion in general and Christianity specifically around the world. There are seven encouraging trends to note in their

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TRUSTEES: IMB CELEBRATES EARLY REPORTS OF RECORD-BREAKING OFFERINGS

By Julie McGowan IMB RICHMOND, Va. — International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 52 new full-time, fully funded missionaries, while also honoring the service of 80 emeritus missionaries during their Feb. 2-3 meeting. Chuck Pourciau, trustee chairman and lead pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, La., presided over the two-day meeting, which included 53 trustees meeting in person and 17 joining online due to issues such as

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ERLC APPLAUDS COURT RULING ON TENNESSEE’S ABORTION BAN

By Tom Strode Baptist Press CINCINNATI — The Southern Baptist Convention’s ethics entity commended a federal appeals court opinion Feb. 2 that restored Tennessee’s prohibition of abortions based on disability, ethnicity or sex. The full Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati issued an order that granted the state’s motion that it be able to enforce once again a portion of a 2020 pro-life law that bars abortion when a

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50 YEARS OF CAMP MINISTRY — AND STILL GOING STRONG

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] LEBANON — Dave Shelley is a firm believer that God can use recreation and games to share the gospel of Christ. And, he should know. Shelley, director of missions for Wilson County Baptist Association in Lebanon, is beginning his 51st year of leading day camps for children. “We want to reach this generation. Kids like to play,” Shelley affirmed. “When I started,

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TENNESCENE: FEB. 2

EDUCATION Carson-Newman University will host Ternae Jordan Sr., pastor of Chattanooga’s Mount Canaan Baptist Church, on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, to kickoff C-N’s Black History Month initiatives. The event is from 6:30-8 p.m. and open to the public. “We are excited about welcoming Dr. Jordan to Mossy Creek for Black History Month,” said Gloria Walker, vice president for student services. “Dr. Jordan will present a

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UNION TO INCREASE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MKS

By Suzanne Rhodes Union University news office JACKSON — Beginning in fall 2022, Union will offer its highest financial merit scholarship to all students who are dependents of missionaries through the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board or North American Mission Board. Dan Griffin, vice president for enrollment management, said giving children of missionaries more opportunities to attend Union is invaluable. “Really, the benefits are endless with diversifying our undergraduate

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BAPTISTS PLAY BIG ROLE IN RECOVERY AFTER DISASTER IN DRESDEN

‘We have seen the good side of people,’ says DOM Phil Mitchell By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] DRESDEN — Friday, Dec. 10, is a day that most residents of Dresden and Weakley County are not likely to forget. A tornado, one of about 14  that occurred throughout other parts of northwest and middle Tennessee and Kentucky that night, swept through the county causing massive damage and destruction. 

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SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NAMES MCLAURIN INTERIM PRESIDENT/CEO

EDITOR’S NOTE (B&R): See the Feb. 16 issue of the Baptist and Reflector for an in-depth feature on Willie McLaurin and his Tennessee ties as a pastor and staff member of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. The Baptist Paper NASHVILLE — William McLaurin became the first African American to lead a Southern Baptist Convention entity when he was named SBC Executive Committee interim president/CEO effective Feb. 1. The news, which

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TENNESCENE: FEB. 2

EDUCATION Carson-Newman University will host Ternae Jordan Sr., pastor of Chattanooga’s Mount Canaan Baptist Church, on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at First Baptist Church, Jefferson City,

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