FIRST-PERSON: Dandelion grace – a word for those who feel useless
Years ago, I helped organize our church’s VBS and oversaw all the crafts. I spent hours finding ideas, cutting construction paper, and gathering all the supplies. I loved hearing parents’ comments on what their children brought home. But I can’t serve that way anymore; now I have to worry about even walking down the children’s hall, afraid I could get knocked down. At times now I feel useless.
Suicide attempts, clinical depression – pastors’ mental health at forefront
DALLAS (BP) – Most Wednesdays, Chris Hilliard finalized plans for evening Bible study at the church he’s pastored in North Carolina for nearly a decade, but on the Wednesday of Feb. 12, he instead “tried to O.D. on medication,” he told Baptist Press.
FIRST-PERSON: A pastor’s journey to renewed faith after self-harm
February twelfth, two thousand and twenty-five. It will be a Wednesday that I will never forget even though there is much about that day I do not remember. A day that I often spent preparing and finalizing notes for an evening Bible study would instead see me in an ambulance and others fighting for my […]
Associational missionary joins Harvard panel to discuss faith, human flourishing
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (BP) – David Franklin is about as Georgia as you can get, from his drawl to his permanent smile as he makes his way among the churches in Bartow Baptist Association. As an associational mission strategist, he has developed a reputation for identifying needs and coming at them with a commonsense, biblical perspective.
FIRST-PERSON: Finding hope and joy again
I was sitting in church on Easter morning, my second Easter since my beloved wife of 35 years, Kay, passed away from pancreatic cancer almost two years ago. I was thinking of the hope I continue to find in Christ since her passing.
Gallup study shows pandemic’s lingering effects on kids’ social skills, mental health
NASHVILLE (BP)—Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, a Gallup study is sharing parents’ perspectives on how that time has affected their children’s social skills and mental health, as well as its impact on academics.
Grief to Grace ministry in Tennessee is outlet for widows of pastors
NEWPORT, Tenn. – Pat Brown thought her ministry was over when Horace Brown, her husband of 37 years, died on Jan. 1, 2021.
‘Jesus showed up’ says veteran on suicide attempt, growth of helping others like him
DATELINE (BP) – Like all others who have served, Veterans Day holds a special place for Damon Friedman.
BCM ready to respond after tragedy at Middle Tennessee State University
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee State University experienced a day on campus on Monday, Oct. 28, that you never want to see happen, said Mark Whitt, collegiate ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
Women process trauma through IMB ministry in Eastern Europe
How did Daniel of the Bible find contentment living in exile? Jesus healed a blind man; why didn't He heal His best friend, Lazarus?