Former Southern Baptist Foundation President Hollis E. Johnson III leaves legacy of integrity, kingdom focus
NASHVILLE (BP) – Former Southern Baptist Foundation President Hollis E. Johnson, III. died Dec. 29 at the age of 90. Johnson led the foundation from 1977 until 2002.
ERLC hopeful persecution lessens following US actions
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission expressed hope that religious persecution will lessen in Nigeria. Pres. Donald Trump ordered Christmas Day air strikes aimed at terrorist groups that had “been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians”.
Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds Catholic charity’s religious liberty
MADISON, Wis. (BP) – The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled against the State of Wisconsin on Monday (Dec. 15) as the state attorney general tried for a second time to strip a Catholic-based organization from its non-profit status.
HUD policies to be more friendly to churches in 2026
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it will be more open to faith-based organizations as it provides funding aimed at caring for the homeless in 2026.
Florida pastor Willy Rice to be nominated for SBC president in Orlando
CLEARWATER, Fla. (BP) – Florida pastor Willy Rice announced his intentions to be nominated as a candidate for Southern Baptist Convention president at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando. In a video released Friday (Oct. 31), Rice said he is allowing the nomination based on his hope for renewal in the SBC.
Chapman memorial service set for Oct. 24
NASHVILLE (BP) – Longtime pastor and SBC leader Morris H. Chapman will be remembered at a memorial service at 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at Triune Baptist Church near Nashville. Chapman pastored churches in Texas and New Mexico for 25 years before being called to lead the SBC Executive Committee from 1992 until 2010.
SBC leaders praise Akin’s integrity and Gospel focus
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) – SBC leaders say their debt of gratitude runs deep to Southeastern Seminary’s Danny Akin. This week the seminary president announced his plans to retire from leading the seminary effective July 31, 2026.
2025 SBC Annual now available
NASHVILLE (BP) – Minutes, facts and figures are what you’ll find in the SBC Annual, and the 604-page 2025 edition is available now at SBC.net.
ERLC trustees call interim president, form immigration-related task force
WASHINGTON (BP) – Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission trustees named an interim president, voted to form a task force to study biblical immigration and unveiled a new Psalm 139 initiative during their meeting Sept. 16-17.
Gary Hollingsworth named ERLC interim president
WASHINGTON (BP) – Retired South Carolina state convention leader and longtime pastor Gary Hollingsworth has been selected as interim president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission beginning Oct. 1. Hollingsworth was named to the post by ERLC trustees at their meeting Sept. 16.
