Articulos en Español by Joy Allmond

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Pastors and church leaders may feel called upon to be experts when it comes to shepherding the marriages in their congregations, but research shows many don't feel up to the task. In 2015, LifeWay Research found 78 percent of pastors surveyed had at least one couple approach them regarding challenges in their marriage within the past year, and 69 percent of churches didn't have an ongoing marriage ministry.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- J.D. Greear believes the future of the church is bright because of the Gospel. But the Southern Baptist Convention president also noted the church can be susceptible to placing secondary things -- like programs, strategies and messages -- above the Gospel. Greear aims to steer the attention and allegiance of the church back to the Gospel through his latest book, "Above All: The Gospel Is the Source of the Church's Renewal," available June 1 from B&H Publishing Group. "Gospel Above All" is also the theme for the SBC annual meeting in Birmingham, Ala., June 11-12.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- LifeWay Christian Resources will provide a free breakfast and screen an upcoming film during the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Birmingham this June. The LifeWay breakfast topic, "It's Worth It: Uncovering How One Week Can Transform Your Church," will focus on the long-term impact of Vacation Bible School (VBS). Messengers will learn how this time-tested and statistically-supported ministry can continue to reach children and families with the Gospel.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Many of today's American adults have fond memories of Vacation Bible School (VBS). Memories range from Bible stories and fun songs to flower-shaped cookies and Kool-Aid in Dixie cups. "It's Worth It" -- a new release from LifeWay Kids in partnership with LifeWay Research -- notes that nine in 10 American adults say they have overall positive memories of the summertime mainstay. And the book goes on to explain why the memories go beyond cookies and Kool-Aid.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- There was a collective gasp among the 1,600 women gathered for the kickoff of the 2018 LifeWay Women's Leadership Forum. During a panel discussion on racial reconciliation, Missie Branch shared about a shocking thing she once heard from some Christians heading to China for mission work. "Someone asked them what they were looking forward to about going," said Branch, assistant dean of students to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. "They said, 'There's no black people there.' To hear those things in the body of Christ means we're not as far along as we think we are." Trillia Newbell, director of community outreach at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, reminded the audience that Christ followers are already reconciled together because of the blood of Jesus Christ.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- When Mike Harland joined LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO Thom S. Rainer a couple of years ago on the "Rainer on Leadership" podcast, he never imagined those conversations about music ministry would lead to writing a book. On Nov. 1, B&H Publishing released the fruit of those discussions, "Worship Essentials: Growing a Healthy Worship Ministry Without Starting a War!" by Harland, director of LifeWay Worship. "Dr. Rainer began having me pretty regularly as a guest," Harland said. "His audience is largely pastors. We began to talk about worship issues, and the podcast became a safe place to address those pastors' questions about worship ministry." The audience responded overwhelmingly to the dialogue.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- People see the commercials with pleas for financial help. The man or woman lingers on the street corner with a homemade cardboard sign that says they need food. Whether through the distance of the television screen or the closeness of someone asking vehicular passersby for help, there are hints of hunger all around. But are they real? According to stats from Global Hunger Relief, the answer is "yes," both in faraway places and in our own cities and towns.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP) -- On Aug. 20, the permanent Sirius XM channel dedicated exclusively to messages from "America's Pastor," who preached over the decades in hundreds of venues around the globe, will launch. The Billy Graham Channel began a series of limited runs last November, beginning with Graham's 99th birthday, and included a temporary tribute channel in conjunction with his passing earlier this year. Since his death, ministry supporters and Sirius XM subscribers have steadily contacted his ministry, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), as well as the broadcast company, to petition for more inspiring messages from the world-renowned evangelist.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- When Billy Graham died at age 99 in his North Carolina home on February 21, he left behind a legacy of service to his Lord through preaching the Gospel. But according to his will, recently made public, that's not all there is to his legacy. Graham left some parting words and assets to his family -- and some financial backing for his ministry, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). The 16-page document begins with a charge to his family members who remain.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Child advocate and mental health consultant Kelly Rosati has spent her fair share of time in psychiatric hospitals. Not for herself, but visiting her kids. She and her husband adopted all four of their children out of foster care. Three of them suffer on some level from mental illness, be it depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. During a recent parenting conference hosted by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, she and other experts discussed how the church should approach ministering to teens and kids who suffer from mental illness, and serving their families.