NASHVILLE (BP) – The last few years, we’ve had a “staff favorites” story at the end of the year – typically a collection of warm, fuzzy, heart-warming pieces.
This year is a bit different. Don’t get us wrong. There is still plenty to warm the cockles of any crusty Baptist heart in the mentions below. But we also felt that we helped tell a lot of beautiful, touching stories this year that we hesitated to call “favorites” because maybe they had to do with illness or war or even death.
So we called them “stories of significance.” We asked our major contributors to list theirs and to talk about what made them special. Following those lists are some honorable mentions.
Scott Barkley, Baptist Press chief national correspondent
To reach Gen Z, commit to face time. We adults need to take note of how more schools are strictly limiting or altogether banning students’ phone access. We all know the benefits of face-to-face conversation, we just don’t realize how truly lacking we are in taking advantage of it.
Purdy relevant: testimony of 49ers quarterback to get Super Bowl stage. I enjoyed getting to talk to Brock Purdy’s high school English teacher and learn how he hasn’t changed at all in his Christian walk while leading the team in one of the most liberal cities in the country.
3-part series involving Oklahoma churches. In following up on a single lead I learned that there were at least three connecting stories to be told. Very cool to see how these churches and young African men help each other to grow in the Gospel.
Barna: pastors remain cautious of AI. Artificial Intelligence is going to continue to develop and impact culture. While we tend to default in thinking of its nefarious capabilities, AI is also becoming more helpful with tasks as basic as internet searches. It could very well become as much a change agent as the internet itself.
Football recruit using NIL money to support adoptions. This was personal for me as an adoptive dad, but also because I’ve known this kid since he was a little cub. Bear McWhorter is much, much bigger now, but one of the most top-notch young guys I know from an incredible family. Did not surprise me one iota when I heard he was doing this with his NIL benefits.
COVID-era decisions in public education impact Christian schooling. Pandemic restrictions led many parents to look harder at education options for their children, with private schools and co-ops continuing to grow in popularity.
Sports gambling will leave society to count the true cost. The high school guys I teach on Sundays know I’m prone to give a mini-sermon about this topic. Gambling addiction is set to become, if it isn’t already, bigger than porn.
Southern Baptist ethnic research leader drowns. Not enough Southern Baptists knew the name Minh Ha Nguyen. Many did, but not enough. I was privileged to speak with him several times and write a couple of articles about his research outlining the growing ethnicity of the SBC. We texted at the Indianapolis annual meeting to finally meet in person, but couldn’t make our schedules work.
Steven Curtis Chapman reflects on his career after Grand Ole Opry invitation. Getting 40 minutes with this legend was a career highlight as we talked about music but also becoming better husbands and fathers.
Texas church stays in touch with members aboard the International Space Station. Providence Baptist in Pasadena, Texas, is a “normative” Southern Baptist church that happened to have two of its own in space in September. Tracy Dyson returned a couple of weeks after this article published, but it looks like Butch Wilmore’s visit will be even longer after complications with the Boeing vehicle that brought him there originally extended his stay.
Clean clothes, clean souls from Good Laundry. Good Church in Flint, Mich., identified a need that had gotten through others’ radar and is making a significant impact.
Diana Chandler, Baptist Press senior writer
Caring for wife with Alzheimer’s shows pastor how God loves His Church. Pastor Grady Caldwell’s humility in caring for his wife during her Alzheimer’s journey pricked my heart and resonated with my own story of my late mother’s journey with dementia. At 91, she told me she loved the stuffed-animal armrest she held, and she believed her father must have given it to her. He had died 30 years earlier.
Ukrainian Baptist leaders tortured by Russia find voice in U.S. citizen. I appreciated the opportunity to help tell of Russia’s persecution of Ukrainian Christians, as the war threatens the Gospel presence in Europe.
Ukraine Baptists seek one-on-one church partnerships to rebuild after war. I enjoyed telling this story because it shed additional light on the importance of Russia’s defeat in maintaining evangelism in the region.
Hope for Springfield as churches, civic leaders join to help Haitians. This story is an encouraging example of Southern Baptists coming forward to help those disparaged by false rumors, and a previous story (here) is a living example of what can happen when such rumors are spread. I appreciated the opportunity to tell these stories.
103-plus Sudan refugees saved; Baptist ministry serves meals at mosques. Amid the dangers of war, Southern Baptist-supported ministry is sharing the Gospel and leading those in need to Christ. Nothing beats the good news of salvation stories.
‘We Carry Kevan’ fosters biblical friendship between disable, able-bodied. This is such a beautiful story of unconditional love, both among friends and within matrimony.
‘Wars and rumors of wars.’ Stress builds as Israel fights on seven fronts. This and another story (here) highlight Israel’s struggles, tell of a courageous female paramedic, and focus on Christian presence both within Israel and among Israel’s enemies.
‘In awe … that God has used me’: Ann and Jeff Iorg on life, love, ministry. Much had already been written about and by Dr. Jeff Iorg in Southern Baptist circles. I appreciated the opportunity to share insights into the couple’s spiritual and professional journeys – both individually and collectively.
Laura Erlanson, Baptist Press managing editor
Scientist uses resurrection to lead hundreds to Christ. I have followed the career of Rice University professor James Tour for a while. It was an honor for me to talk with him about what he is most passionate about. Spoiler: it’s not chemistry.
Two hearts revived: How an HVAC hero saved a life and found hope. I’m always excited to see a good news story featuring Southern Baptists. I knew when I saw this story covered by local Chattanooga media that we had to do our own version telling the Gospel side of the story.
Brandon Porter, Vice President for Communications
Jeff Iorg to lead SBC Executive Committee. It was a long time coming, but the SBC Executive Committee elected a new leader in March. Jeff Iorg is well known as a visionary and focused leader in the SBC. Southern Baptists rejoice he is bringing those leadership qualities to the EC.
Trump survives assassination attempt. An assassination attempt on any political leader brings fear and uncertainty. This summer, in the midst of an explosive presidential race, Americans were shaken as a gunman somehow snuck onto the roof of a building and opened fire on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally. While Trump received only minor injuries, the event left many wondering what else could happen during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Biden withdraws from presidential race. It only took a week after the assassination on Donald Trump for the next shoe to drop in the presidential race. Though Americans were not necessarily shocked, they were shaken again when President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race. As a parent of teenagers, these events called for long conversations about our true sources of hope and stability.
Karen Willoughby, Baptist Press national correspondent
Posters, post offices and potlucks: Churches have many ways of promoting Lottie Moon offering. I talked with about 30 pastors and church leaders for a series of articles in December related to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. This article encapsulates the fact that churches small, medium and large eagerly put time and effort into raising money for global missions. Southern Baptists unstintingly work together that God’s word spreads throughout the world. It’s thrilling to be part of that.
Messengers swarm all nations booth. The year 2024 has been rough. That was clearly seen at the All Nations Booth in the Exhibits Hall at the SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. Leaders from several Southern Baptist Fellowship groups found themselves giving background information on strife in Ukraine, Myanmar, Israel and more, but always with joy that comes from being part of the Southern Baptist Convention’s efforts to “be Jesus” wherever they may find their feet.
Alaska town sees church at work. I write an article each month about what I call an “exemplary” Southern Baptist church, which is one that is a strong supporter of the Cooperative Program and a solid partner with its association and/or state convention. First Baptist Church in Petersburg, Alaska, also makes a difference in its isolated community. “When I first came here I asked the congregation, ‘If First Baptist Church ceased to exist, would anyone even notice?’ I believe today they would know. We’re making a difference,” Pastor Lee Corrao says in the article. “We’re helping people in their lives.”
Other honorable mentions from this year:
- Sexuality: God’s design best learned in church, not TikTok
- Heroic pioneer missionary forgotten over mental illness
- Gospel invitation given at Statuary Hall unveiling of Billy Graham statue
- SBC leaders engage in friendly competition on the track in Indy
- Throat cancer fails to loosen his grip on God’s sovereignty
- Pastors pray for ‘God’s peace to break through’ after assassination attempt
- OK state director thankful for reminders brought by near-fatal car crash
- Popular 20th century Baptist radio programs now accessible to all
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