Leaders of the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force announced a strategic turn in their efforts on April 4 related to the plan to establish and maintain a Ministry Check website. They are no longer focused on partnering with one firm to do all the work. “In the spirit of unity and cooperation, the ARITF met in Atlanta on Monday, March 27, and voted to consider alternative pathways (dividing the work

The relationship Southern Baptists have with the investigative firm Guidepost Solutions continues to draw mixed reactions across the denomination. Some continue working through the issues with SBC leaders as discussions develop, while others are taking public stands in opposition. For instance, in Florida, the State Board of Missions acting ad interim for the Florida Baptist State Convention announced March 31 the Florida convention will escrow SBC Executive Committee funds if

The specifics of Tim and Annie’s call to missions changed, but the calling itself never altered. God led the Tidenbergs to bring the gospel to the nations, and they’ve obeyed. When they retired from their church planting role in East Africa, they moved to the U.S. to lead a church. Then, they felt led to move back overseas. Now, they spend their time in West Africa resourcing, equipping and supporting

NASHVILLE — Longtime pastor and former SBC President Johnny Hunt has filed suit against the SBC, the SBC Executive Committee (EC) and Guidepost Solutions. The suit seeks unspecified damages related to allegations of defamation and the invasion of privacy based on accusations made against Hunt in the 2022 Guidepost report stemming from an investigation into the alleged mishandling of sexual abuse by the SBC EC. Hunt filed the suit in

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee are the latest states to pass new legislation protecting minors from transgender surgery and hormonal treatment. The three states join Utah and South Dakota bringing to five the number of states that prohibit gender-changing medical treatment on children. Similar bills are progressing in 22 states, according to tracking sites. While a 2021 law in Arkansas is enjoined in federal court, the Arkansas

In the year since Willie McLaurin was named interim president and CEO of Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, he has spent a lot of energy building relationships. McLaurin, a former staff member of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, shares often how he schedules a 15-minute Zoom call with pastors who send him a letter or email rather than writing them back. He wants to know what’s fully on their hearts