By Marissa Postell Sullivan BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give … I surrender all.” The words of the old hymn are familiar to many, but do Christians today know what it means to live fully surrendered to Jesus? In her new book, Bible teacher, speaker and actor, Priscilla Shirer explores what surrender looks like in the life of regular … [Read more...]
Black Church conference helps leaders ‘Thrive’
By Aaron Earls RIDGECREST, N.C. — The annual Black Church Leadership and Family Conference (BCLFC) resembles the churches it aims to serve—energetic worship and powerful sermons but still grappling with the effects of the pandemic. Recognizing this reality, Mark Croston wanted to encourage those gathered at Ridgecrest Conference Center on July 22-26, 2024, and remind … [Read more...]
Throat cancer fails to negate his grip on God’s sovereignty
By Art Toalston CLEVELAND, Tenn. (BP) – “Don’t feel sorry for me,” Ernest Easley writes in a new book. A feeding tube is how he gets nourishment. He struggles to speak. Diagnosed with malignant throat cancer in 1998, severe side effects from 44 radiation treatments still afflict the longtime pastor. Even so: “I feel sorry for you if you haven’t learned the peace … [Read more...]
5 quick tips for VBS follow-up
By Melita Thomas BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — The days and weeks immediately following VBS are the most crucial for outreach. But so often this critical element seems to fall through the cracks. We all have good intentions for connecting with children and families again after VBS, but then the aftermath of VBS kicks in. The excitement of VBS is over; people are tired; life returns to … [Read more...]
Mandrell shares special needs resources, celebrates 100 years of VBS ministry in 2024 report
By Aaron Earls INDIANAPOLIS — Addressing the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention, Lifeway President and CEO Ben Mandrell shared the organization’s focus on serving church leaders and answered four key questions messengers may have. Mandrell referenced leaving the pastorate five years ago to helm Lifeway and quoted from James Frost, the founding president of the organization, who … [Read more...]
