Resources from 2018

The Holy Spirit's presence is front and center in the Gospel accounts of Jesus' birth, Sarah Dixon Young writes. "His activity brings about the entire narrative."

DURHAM, N.C. (BP) -- What do we mean when we talk about the "favor of God?" The house you've always wanted goes into foreclosure and you buy it for a steal. Your kids bring their report cards home and it's straight A's. You find out that a long lost relative left you a tidy sum of money. Many people may think that God's favor is something like that. When life seems to break your way, it's easy to think, "God is really smiling down on me now. He must really love me."

PRATT, Kan. (BP) -- The setting was simple -- a barn, some bales of hay and a few animals -- much like the story that hundreds in rural Kansas gathered to hear: Jesus was born to be your Savior. Steve Taylor opened his Bible and read the story of Jesus' birth. There were no actors portraying the scene or breaking out in song. Instead, a group of children sat at the pastor's feet captivated with the story from Matthew and Luke. Their older siblings, parents, grandparents and neighbors listened as they sat on hay bales.

José, es el personaje olvidado de la navidad. Obviamente en la navidad celebramos el nacimiento de Jesús, el Cristo o Mesías, quien vino a este mundo para salvarnos de nuestros pecados. Jesucristo es Emanuel, Dios con nosotros, y con razón es el personaje central de ...

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- A former International Mission Board missionary and South Carolina Baptist Convention associate executive director was indicted Dec. 18 in Texas for alleged sexual assault of a minor 21 years ago. Mark Aderholt, 47, was arrested in July in South Carolina under a warrant issued in Tarrant County, Texas, and has been out of jail on bond since his arrest. The indictment by a Tarrant County grand jury includes four counts of sexual assault of a child under 17.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- In 2018 Southern Baptists stepped up their support of North American missions while helping thousands of disaster survivors who endured devastating hurricanes, fires and floods as well as a church in Texas after a tragedy that shocked the world. Here is a look at some of the highlights from 2018 as the North American Mission Board (NAMB) had the privilege of partnering with Southern Baptist churches in these and numerous other ways.

Bible Study: Dec. 23, 2018 NASHVILLE (BP) -- This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. This week's Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum. Bible Passage: Luke 1:26-38

WAXHAW, N.C. (BP) -- Proverbs 31 Ministries President Lysa Terkeurst is proclaiming God a miracle worker after she reconciled with her husband, whom she said was repeatedly unfaithful and abused substances. She and husband Art renewed their vows near their home in Waxhaw, N.C., but details of the ceremony were not disclosed. "On an unusually sunny Tuesday in December, we dressed up a bit and whispered healing words, heartfelt prayers, and holy vows," she posted on social media platforms after the ...

ATLANTA (BP) -- December is an especially busy time for Christian music artists Keith and Kristyn Getty. The couple, known for the modern hymn "In Christ Alone," have been in the midst of their eighth annual Christmas tour. But Keith was quick to downplay the couple's hectic schedule just a few hours before the tour's opening concert. "Are you kidding, my kids are at the aquarium. This an off day," Keith said with a hearty laugh and a slap of the knees as he fielded a few questions from Baptist Press in Atlanta. Getty discussed a range of topics that included their tour, Billy Graham, his favorite hymn ...

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- For the International Mission Board, 2018 proved to be a year of transitions -- both beginnings and endings. They elected a new president in November. And Southern Baptists continued pushing forward in sharing the Gospel with the vision of a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ. New president IMB trustees announced the election of their new president, Paul Chitwood, on November 15.