Western Recorder ceases publication
By Brandon Porter
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – March marks a significant transition for a long-standing Kentucky Baptist news publication. The Western Recorder will cease regular publication after the March issue.
First published 195 years ago, the Western Recorder is one of the oldest Baptist publications in America. The newspaper, which had transitioned to a magazine, published stories focused on Kentucky Baptist and Southern Baptist news.
Several features from the Western Recorder will move to Kentucky Today, a daily news website affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention. The paper transitioned from being an independent agency to being published by the Kentucky Baptist Convention communications department in 2019.
Articles from Kentucky Baptist leaders will be published on Kentucky Today beginning in April. The articles will be located in the Baptist Life section of Kentucky Today.
The Mountains to the Mississippi feature, which shares brief news, events and updates of Kentucky Baptist churches, associations and church leaders, has also moved to Kentucky Today. It is located on a new page on Kentucky Today called “M2M” and can be found in the main menu header of Kentucky Today.
IBSA President accepts role with North American Mission Board
By Illinois Baptist Staff
BENTON, Ill, (BP) – Sammy Simmons, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton, Ill., and current president of the Illinois Baptist State Association, announced Sunday (March 21) he will relocate to Georgia to serve as Send Relief National Project Director for the North American Mission Board.
Simmons has served 10 years at Immanuel and is in his second one-year term as IBSA president. In his role with NAMB, he will plan and lead mission trips in coordination with churches, local associations and state conventions. Simmons told his church the relocation will also allow his family to care for family members in Georgia. His last Sunday at Immanuel will be April 11.
“I want you to know, church, that my family and I, we deeply, deeply love you,” Simmons told his church. “And I still believe that the best days that God has planned for this church are ahead. God is not done using you to impact the 26,000 that are lost in our county who do not know him.”
IBSA Vice President Heath Tibbetts, pastor of First Baptist Church in Machesney Park, will complete Simmons’ term as president.
