NEW ORLEANS — Seventeen people went all in for Jesus on June 10, participating in believer’s baptism during a block party at Celebration Church’s Lower St. Bernard campus in Violet, Louisiana. One by one, each person came in and out of a water-filled portable trough and was greeted with applause during the church’s first-ever Jesus Fest block party. According to pastor Trevor Truitt, 13 who were baptized made a decision during

NEW ORLEANS — Messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans have a few hours left to carefully think through the various items coming before them during the business sessions Tuesday and Wednesday. The much-anticipated opportunity to vote on a proposal to revise the SBC constitution to ban women from serving in any role that includes the word “pastor” in the title will come before messengers with a word

BRENTWOOD — “Truth can be different for different people. Do what makes you happy. If you don’t agree with me, you don’t love me.”  These are just a few of the lies today’s culture is telling our kids. But standing tall amid the changing tides of popular opinion is God’s rock-solid truth. This imagery forms the idea and setting for “Breaker Rock Beach,” Lifeway Christian Resources’ 2024 Vacation Bible School

NASHVILLE — A federal district judge has ruled unconstitutional a Tennessee law prohibiting gender-bending drag performances in front of minors, which had been the only such law in the nation. Tennessee’s Adult Entertainment Act (AEA) violates constitutionally protected freedom of speech, U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker ruled late June 2 in the Western District Court of Tennessee. “The AEA’s regulation of ‘adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors under §

OXFORD, Miss. — Legal representation for Will McRaney as well as the North American Mission Board filed separate documents June 1 in response to previous filings from the opposing party. Both have the opportunity to file further responses by June 8. Key areas of debate in the case include language related to the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) between the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, where McRaney was executive director, and NAMB.

GALLATIN — When more than 50 people were baptized at the Sumner County Jail in early May, it was the culmination of many years of ministry from two neighboring churches. “It was a beautiful thing, one of the highlights of my life,” said Danny Spano, a chaplain from the Sumner County Jail, of the 58 baptisms. Spano serves as the pastor of member care and recovery at Long Hollow Church

The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee presidential search team met June 1 to elect officers and establish organizational plans for the group. Neal Hughes of Alabama was named chair and Nick Sandefur of Kentucky was named vice chair. Nancy Spaulding of Michigan will serve as secretary. Other members of the search team are Corey Cain of Tennessee, Drew Landry of Virginia, Sarah Rogers of South Carolina and David Sons, who