God is faithful to His Word, but to know that, one must read Scripture. That’s why Susan Bates, founder of Your Working Copy audio Bibles has dedicated her life to recording and distributing unique audio Bibles. “How can we know He’s faithful to His Word if we don’t know His Word? It has to wound His heart that we — myself included — are so oblivious to the power of His Word and our need to know and understand it,” Bates said. “It is in knowing and understanding it that we are able to know and understand and walk with and enjoy our God.” Your Working Copy is a passion project that began ..read more

In a captivating blend of magic and message, retired Southern Baptist minister and magician David Garrard mesmerized the audience at the Auburn University “Baseball Chapel” on May 5. Garrard urged players to embrace a deeper connection with their faith as he performed illusions and other feats. Scott Shepherd, Auburn Baseball chaplain and local representative of “Athletes in Action,” welcomed Garrard as the special guest for the team breakfast. As the room filled with anticipation, Garrard transitioned from spellbinding tricks to heartfelt challenges, encouraging the players to place God at t ..read more

The University of Mobile Class of 2024 celebrated graduation on the Great Commission Lawn with fireworks, cheers from family and friends, and a UM tradition — touching the Great Commission Globe to signify being sent into the world to pursue God’s calling for their lives. Many of the 300 members of the Class of 2024 graduated from high school during the pandemic and did not experience a traditional high school graduation ceremony. To make their UM graduation extra-special, each graduate received a brightly wrapped present to open at the ceremony’s end. Each present — a University of Mobile Al ..read more

By James R. Strange, Ph.D. Professor of Biblical and Religious studies, Samford University SERVING IN CHRIST Ephesians 4:1–7; 11–16 In our fifth lesson on being an authentic church, we explore a passage from Ephesians. Paul visited Ephesus at least twice (Acts 18). Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos were probably the founders of the city’s congregations. In this chapter, Paul addresses a critical aspect of an authentic church, which is the unity of the body of Christ. Read all of chapter 4 and also 1 Corinthians 12. God makes us one but equips us with various gifts for His use. (1–7) In verse 1 ..read more

Robert Smith Jr. said his mother was protective of him when he was growing up. People would tell him that they thought he was going to be a preacher, and she didn’t want them telling him that. “She said, ‘If Little Robert is to preach, the Lord will call him,’” Smith said. And the Lord did. At age 17, after years of serving as a junior deacon and reading the Scriptures in worship, he felt the call to preach. “I had no idea how it would feed into a nearly 58-year ministry,” he said. Seeing ‘what God can do with so little’ At the end of April, Smith celebrated his retirement from his position a ..read more

LAHORE, Pakistan — Arson is suspected in a March 30 church fire in Pakistan that occurred after an individual threatened to prevent the observance of Christ’s resurrection. The predawn blaze burned the contents of the United Presbyterian Junior Church in Gujar Khan in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi District, report the news services Christian Daily International and Morning Star News. “We strongly suspect that it’s a case of arson,” Adeem Alphonse, pastor of the church, told the news services, “but the police and administration are trying to hush up the matter by terming it an outcome of a short circu ..read more

Mainline Protestant denominations have a clergy problem so severe that it’s threatening their existence. They also have a solution at their fingertips. They’re just not using it enough. First, the problem. Congregations are selling off assets, from endowment stock funds to parsonages and other church properties, to plug their budget gaps and keep paying full-time clergy who’re tired and often seeking a career change. In a survey of 1,700 pastors conducted last fall by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, 53% of clergy had seriously considered leaving ministry at least once since 2020 ..read more

Reuben Prater is the new pastor of Bethesda Baptist Church, Equality. Prater holds two bachelor’s degrees from Auburn University, Montgomery, in psychology and in criminal justice. He also attended Beeson Divinity School at Samford University. He was minister of music and youth at Brown’s Chapel Baptist Church, Sylacauga, and Eagle Creek Baptist Church, Dadeville; was ordained at Weogufka Second Baptist Church; was minister of music at Hackneyville Baptist Church, Alexander City; and pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Camp Hill; Horseshoe Bend Baptist Church, Dadeville; and Concord Baptist Chu ..read more

Many of the 300 members of the University of Mobile Class of 2024 graduated from high school during the pandemic and did not experience a traditional high school graduation ceremony. To make their May 6 UM graduation extra-special, each graduate received a brightly wrapped present to open at the ceremony’s end. Each present – a University of Mobile Alumni picture frame – was wrapped by members of the 55+ life group at Cottage Hill Baptist Church as part of their “Love Where You Live” community service program. EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally released by the University of ..read more

Brandie Roe is the new student minister of First Baptist Church East Brewton. She previously served as student minister at Unity Baptist Church, Atmore, and FBC Flomaton. Roe and her husband, Ben, have two daughters ..read more