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Willy Rice elected SBC president

NEW By Brandon Porter, posted June 9, 2026

ORLANDO (BP) – Florida pastor Willy Rice has been elected SBC president. Rice follows North Carolina pastor Clint Pressley, who served two terms in the role.

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Lifeway leaders pledge theological faithfulness, discipleship assistance at SBC Annual Meeting

Ryan Blackwell, newly installed Lifeway Christian Resources president, shares a lighthearted moment with messengers at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., joking that many reacted to his presidential announcement with "Ryan who?" Photo by Sonya Singh

By Aaron Earls, posted June 10, 2026 in Lifeway, SBC Annual Meetings

ORLANDO, Fla. – Speaking to messengers at the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Lifeway Christian Resources’ new president and previous interim CEO both reaffirmed the entity’s commitment to equipping churches to make disciples with resources built on Scripture.

Shawn Thornton, president of Joni and Friends, speaks during a panel discussion at the Stand Up luncheon, an Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention event held during the SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, June 9. Joining Thornton on the panel, from left, were moderator Tom Stolle, executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware; Julie Lowe, licensed professional counselor and former faculty member at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation; Kathy Kovalchuk, special needs minister at Prestonwood Baptist Church, Dallas; Kris Buckman, children and youth ministry consultant for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware; and Daniel Ritchie, a motivational speaker and advocate for disability awareness. Photo by Sonya Singh

By Erin Roach, posted June 10, 2026 in SBC Annual Meetings, Sexual Abuse

ORLANDO (BP) – Preventing the abuse of adults with disabilities in churches was the focus of a luncheon hosted by the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention at the SBC Annual Meeting June 9 in Orlando.

Thousands of women gathered for the 2026 SBC Ministers' Wives Luncheon in Orlando. Photo by Roy Burroughs

By Shannon Baker, posted June 10, 2026 in SBC Annual Meetings, Woman's Ministry

ORLANDO (BP)- During the 2026 SBC Ministers’ Wives Luncheon, Amy Hannon urged ministers’ wives to consider a fresh perspective of the biblical story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.

Gregory Perkins delivers one of his final sermons as NAAF president Sunday, June 7, ahead of the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting. Photo by Elijah Hickman

By Diana Chandler, posted June 10, 2026 in SBC Annual Meetings

EATONVILLE, Fla. (BP) – Proximity to those in power is not necessarily a good thing, National African American Fellowship (NAAF) President Greg Perkins said in NAAF’s annual sermon June 8, cautioning pastors to submit to God rather than pursue closeness to perceived power.

North Carolina pastor Clint Pressley addresses messengers in a sermon during the opening session of the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando. Photo by Sonya Singh

By Henry Durand/Christian Index, posted June 10, 2026 in SBC Annual Meetings

ORLANDO, Fla. – Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley urged messengers Tuesday to live with doctrinal clarity, Gospel conviction, humility, patience and unity, saying Southern Baptists must “walk worthy” of the calling they have received if they are to remain faithful to the mission before them.