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  Baptist World Congress postponed until 2021

  The 2020 Baptist World Congress—an international event normally scheduled in five-year intervals—has been postponed until summer 2021 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

  03/27/2020 - By Ken Camp / Managing Editor

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  Homebound studio musicians video reaches one million

  A video of Nashville studio singers joining together on the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” reached more than 1 million views in less than 24 hours. The project’s producer says what started as a way to encourage his friends has grown beyond what he imagined.

  03/27/2020 - By Laura Erlanson / Baptist Press

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  Public health crises can lead to religious scapegoating

  Public health crises such as COVID-19—in which people may feel powerless and receive conflicting information—can lead to a flare-up of unsafe religious sentiments, says Baylor University epidemiologist Jeff Levin. Levin cites past persecution of religious and ethnic minorities who were blamed unfairly for spreading disease.

  03/26/2020 - By Terry Goodrich / Baylor University

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  IMB postpones volunteer trips, missionaries shelter in place

  International Mission Board senior leaders have directed missionary personnel around the world to postpone hosting any ministry volunteer groups through June 30. The IMB also urged all long-term and mid-term personnel to follow U.S. Department of State advice to shelter in place.

  03/26/2020 - By Julie McGowan / International Mission Board

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  East Texas church provides groceries during crisis

  More than 100 at-risk families in Longview have had one less thing to worry about in the last few days—how to acquire groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Beginnings Baptist Church plans to ramp up its Grocery Relief Program to help 200 families each week throughout the crisis.

  03/26/2020 - By Baptist Press Staff

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  Chaplains share hope creatively in COVID-19 context

  Chaplains at all six Buckner Retirement Services Communities are seeking creative ways to share messages of faith, hope and comfort in the wake of social distancing measures in response to the coronavirus.

  03/26/2020 - By Russ Dilday / Buckner International

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  National Cathedral donates long-forgotten medical masks

  The Washington National Cathedral donated thousands of medical masks to two hospitals in the nation’s capital after discovering a trove of the much-needed protective equipment just feet from where Helen Keller and other prominent Americans lie in the cathedral’s underground crypts.

  03/26/2020 - By Paul O'Donnell / Religion News Service

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  Lanny Hall reports lymphoma in remission

  Lanny Hall, past president of three Texas Baptist universities, announced on social media his oncologist assured him he is in complete remission from lymphoma.

  03/26/2020 - By Ken Camp / Managing Editor

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  Around the State: TBM helps after tornado, supports first responders

  Texas Baptist Men disaster relief emergency food-service and chainsaw volunteers were on the scene quickly after a tornado hit south of Graham, and they are providing for the needs of first responders during the COVID-19 crisis.

  03/25/2020 - By Staff / Baptist Standard

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  Pandemic causes many senior adults to feel isolated

  Without weekly church services and the personal connection those provide, senior adults could feel a sense of isolation and loneliness.

  03/24/2020 - By Tess Schoonhoven / Baptist Press

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  NAMB freezes spending in effort to keep missionaries on field

  The North American Mission Board is implementing a series of budgetary freezes and cutbacks designed to keep missionaries on the field during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

  03/24/2020 - By Mike Ebert / North American Mission Board

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  Supreme Court delays arguments

  The U.S. Supreme Court has paused part of its work in response to COVID-19 with decisions in cases regarding religious liberty and abortion still to be announced.

  03/24/2020 - By Tom Strode / Baptist Press