By Lindsey Williams Writing Specialist In 1947, the first summer missionary, a young woman from Blue Mountain Christian University, set out to serve in Hawaii. Seventy-seven years and 5,662 summer missionaries later, Baptist Student Union (BSU) students across Mississippi continue to answer God’s call to the nations. Inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, the BSU Summer Missions theme is, “Called by His Name. Compelled by His Love.” “Our summer missionaries are going to be on six continents this year — everywhere except Antarctica: 20 countries, 14 states, and two US territories,” said Jennie Tayl ..read more

By David Roach Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) — When First Baptist Church in Bettendorf, Iowa, needed to decrease its Cooperative Program (CP) giving in a financial pinch this year, the congregation consented on one condition: that they could increase it as soon as possible back to its previous level of 16.5 percent of undesignated receipts. Leaders agreed, and First Baptist approved temporary CP giving of 10 percent. “During our congregational meeting, people were saying, ‘Wait a second. We can’t continue to let this happen. This has to be more than 10 percent,’” said pastor Cory Gonyo, a curre ..read more

By Dawn Early I have been asking myself why we seem to be losing Millennials and Gen Z in our churches. For reference, I am of the Generation X era. As for me growing up, church was hit or miss depending on where my mother was playing the piano or if I went with the grandparents. So, church was not a priority.  When my children were growing up, my husband and I got very involved in church, and our children became very involved. They were both saved and they loved going. We had friends who had children the same age as ours, and we raised our children together in the church. Along the way ..read more

By Tony Martin Editor On October 16, 2016, I gave up worrying. Reason? It didn’t seem to help. That’s not to say that I don’t have other issues. Depression is my kryptonite. Migraine medicine and my “happy pills,” plus a total dependence on God who raises up medical professionals, keeps me in a good place … most of the time. I believe modern medicine can be a gift from God – it’s just another tool in His box to bring about healing, and that’s what I was looking for. Regarding the worry thing: In October of 2016 I found myself bent out of shape, and these years later I don’t even remember what ..read more

Renewed • Genesis 35:1-15 By Laura Lee Leathers  Leathers After Jacob’s experience at Jabbok, he encounters Esau with his 400 men. The brothers were reconciled because of God’s grace. After their meeting, Esau went to Seir, but Jacob traveled to Succoth. It was a temporary stop for him to set up shelters for his livestock.  Then Jacob moves his tribe to Shechem. He purchases a section of land and sets up an altar. He called the altar “God, the God of Israel” or El-Elohe-Israel (Genesis 33).  Genesis 34 tells the story of Dinah, Leah’s daughter. She was raped by Shechem, son of H ..read more

Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief (MBDR) continued operations in Lake, Scott County. Volunteer activity through the weekend included 70 volunteers (30 on April 15 from First Church, Lake), 269 volunteer hours, and 76 heavy equipment hours engaged in large diameter fallen tree and debris removal. Currently MSBDR is reporting 40 work requests. Four have been declined, 14 have been completed by MSBDR volunteers, six are currently in progress, seven completed by others, and nine assessed and awaiting volunteers. MSBDR anticipated completing/closing all request by April 17. The support of First C ..read more

By Aaron Earls Lifeway Christian Resources BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — When it comes to politics, the average Southern Baptist is more likely to agree with historic Baptist teaching than the claims of some self-professed Christian nationalists. A Lifeway Research study finds Southern Baptists broadly embrace conservative political ideology but also support religious liberty for all Americans and a government that does not favor any specific religion. Sponsored by the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the study surveyed 500 self-identified Southe ..read more

The 2024 Mississippi Baptist Student Speakers’ Tournament was held April 13 at First Church, Clinton. It is designed to develop leadership in students by teaching them Christian doctrine, public speaking, poise, and confidence in leadership through the verbal expression of their faith. It demands serious time and effort, but offers tremendous benefits through scholarships. Students grow spiritually when engaged in research, study, prayer, and practice of preparing a speech. The speakers will be ready to stand for Christ in their churches, schools, workplaces, and communities. The personal, spi ..read more

Special to The Baptist Record In its annual review, Niche ranked William Carey University (WCU) No. 2 on its “Best Colleges in Mississippi” list. This category compared colleges and universities both large and small, public and private, church-affiliated and secular. “I’m proud of our university family for the decades of hard work which has resulted in this honor. An award of this distinction didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of countless hours and sacrifices by our faculty and staff,” said WCU President Dr. Ben Burnett.  “William Carey University has been one of the best-kept ..read more

By Laura Erlanson Baptist Press DALLAS (BP) — As the SBC’s Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force prepares to give its report and recommendations to messengers at the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting in June, members met with state leaders to preview that report and to strengthen the partnership among Southern Baptists for preventing and dealing with sexual abuse in churches. The group met in Dallas Tuesday (April 9) for a day that included presentations, roundtable discussions and Q&A times. “I’m really grateful for the positive spirit of collaboration and mutual commitment to abuse reform in the ..read more