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  Theologian and religious broadcaster R.C. Sproul dies at 78

  Theologian R.C. Sproul, who founded Florida-based Ligonier Ministries and wrote dozens of books, has died at age 78.

  12/19/2017 - By Adelle M. Banks / Religion News Service

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  Security tightens at small churches after Sutherland Springs

  “Shell shocked.” That’s how Michigan pastor Mathew Vroman felt after learning of the Nov. 5 massacre at a small Texas church that left 26 worshippers dead at the hands of a gunman.

  12/19/2017 - By David Roach / Baptist Press

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  Desire for pastor’s prayers unites rival high schools

  In a town of 50,000 with two high schools, rivalries run deep. But one thing united Weslaco High School and Weslaco East High School—student athletes’ desire for Joe Aguilar to pray with them.

  12/19/2017 - By Isa Torres / Hispanic Beat Reporter

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  Language weakening Johnson Amendment removed from tax bill

  Removal of language from the Senate tax bill that would have allowed churches to engage in partisan politics without losing their tax-exempt status represents a victory for religious liberty, advocates of church-state separation insisted.

  12/19/2017 - By Ken Camp / Managing Editor

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  Burnet pastor inspires audiences through song and spoken word

  As a songwriter, singer and pastor, Matthew Butter realizes the importance of crafting songs with rich theological truths to connect future generations with the gospel message.

  12/18/2017 - By Leann Callaway / Special to the Baptist Standard

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  San Angelo church brightens Christmas for elementary school

  More than 400 students at a San Angelo elementary school will have a merry Christmas this year, thanks to members of nearby Calvary Baptist Church.

  12/18/2017 - By Ken Camp / Managing Editor

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  Americans see more jingle, less Jesus in Christmas celebrations

  Nine in 10 American adults celebrate Christmas, but that celebration is shifting in a secular direction, according to the Pew Research Center.

  12/15/2017 - By Ken Camp

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  Around the State: Baylor endows chair in congregational and community health

  Baylor University received a gift from David and Shirley Lake of Tyler to create the Lake Family Endowed Chair in Congregational and Community Health. Howard Payne University’s moot court team ended its fall 2017 season undefeated.

  12/13/2017 - By Ken Camp

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  Hance Dilbeck elected Oklahoma Baptist executive director

  Hance Dilbeck was elected as the next executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma in a unanimous vote by the convention’s board of directors Dec. 11 in Oklahoma City.

  12/13/2017 - By Ken Camp

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  Love for neighbor leads to multiplied miracles

  When John Ramsey began praying God would increase his love for his neighbors, he had no idea the prayer would lead him to a Vietnamese immigrant, a transplant center and, ultimately, death’s door.

  12/13/2017 - By Elizabeth Arnold / Buckner

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  Southern Baptist layman Paul Pressler subject of sex abuse suit

  Paul Pressler, a key figure in the self-identified “conservative resurgence” in the Southern Baptist Convention, is fighting a lawsuit by a former office assistant who alleges the onetime Texas appeals court judge sexually abused him over the course of several decades.

  12/12/2017 - By Adelle M. Banks / Religion News Service

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  Christmas spirituals set in ‘eternal now,’ Baylor expert says

  For many, one of the most cherished parts of the holiday season is gathering to sing and listen to Christmas carols. However, a Baylor University expert in black gospel music treasures the rich sounds of Christmas spirituals, which differ from Christmas carols. 

  12/11/2017 - By Joy Moton / Baylor University