Brandon Porter

ORLANDO, Fla. (BP) – Southern Baptist leaders from across the country joined with Florida Baptists Aug. 12 to hear how they can be a part of the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting. SBC President Clint Pressley said the theme would be “Walking Worthy.”

NASHVILLE (BP) – More than 20 states sued the Trump administration July 29 to overturn the president’s effort to defund Planned Parenthood. The organization is the nation’s largest recipient of Medicaid payments.

SUN VALLEY, Calif. (BP) – Longtime pastor, author and teacher John F. MacArthur died July 14 after a short battle with pneumonia. MacArthur, 86, pastored Grace Community Church in the Los Angeles area for 56 years.

CORDOVA, Tenn. (BP) – Ben Mandrell has been called to be the senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church. Mandrell has served as president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources since summer of 2019.

NASHVILLE (BP) – The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear the appeal of the Southern Baptist Convention as it tries to protect its constitutional rights in a case connected to an inquiry by the SBC Credentials Committee.

WASHINGTON (BP) – Saying now is the time for peace, Pres. Donald Trump announced through social media a “very successful attack” on three nuclear weapons sites in Iran Saturday night (June 21). Trump’s announcement of American action came 10 days after Israel began missile attacks to drive back Iran’s production of nuclear weapons.

NASHVILLE (BP) – A key figure in the Southern Baptist Convention’s investigation into the alleged mishandling of sexual abuse has died. Sources confirm to Baptist Press that Jennifer Lyell died late Saturday after a significant stroke.

CLEVELAND, Ga. (BP) – An alumna of Truett McConnell University alleged in an online interview May 29 that a former faculty member sexually abused her. She claims the abuse happened over a period of several years.

DALLAS (BP) – Resolutions to be presented to messengers to the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting include calls to ban sports betting and pornography and strong statements on the natural family and religious liberty. The SBC Committee on Resolutions released its proposed resolutions May 30.

NASHVILLE (BP) – A major renovation project is forcing the SBC Annual Meeting to move from Salt Lake City in 2027, according to the SBC Executive Committee. Messengers to the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting will be asked to allow the meeting to move to Indianapolis, the 2024 host city.