By Tess Schoonhoven Baptist Press OKLAHOMA CITY — Gospel singer Sandi Patty announced through Facebook on March 17 she has tested positive for COVID-19. The Grammy-winning artist told fans she is self-quarantining with her husband at their home in Oklahoma. Patty explained in the video that she had not felt well in the past few weeks and had been traveling for various events, coming home the weekend of March 7. Patty

By Aaron Earls LifeWay Christian Resources NASHVILLE — The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for groups during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak recommended no gatherings of more than 50 people for eight weeks. As churches scramble to make decisions on how to move forward, new research finds many congregations are not prepared to shift their services online. A study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research conducted last fall found

By Tess Schoonhoven Baptist Press NASHVILLE — The needs of communities around the U.S. have been growing in midst of the COVID-19 global crisis. With many families unable to maintain proper childcare in light of schools shutting down, college students without a place to live and insecure communities without essential household items, churches are stepping in to bring practical aid. Green Hill Church in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., has jumped in

By Diana Chandler Baptist Press FRANKFORT, Ky. — It appears unlikely many Southern Baptist churches will comply with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s request that houses of worship cancel services at least through Sunday (March 15) to deter spread of the new coronavirus, Kentucky Southern Baptists told Baptist Press. Kentucky congregations, while autonomous, will likely take seriously Beshear’s request, Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Gray told BP. But congregations

By Aaron Earls LifeWay news office NASHVILLE — As the coronavirus spreads in the U.S., congregations are facing a situation many have never considered.  In response, the LifeWay Leadership team has developed pandemic response resources that are being made available for free to assist pastors and church leaders at MinistryGrid.com/coronavirus. “Pastors are asking questions about how their churches should react to the coronavirus,” said Todd Adkins, director of LifeWay Leadership.