SBC This Week

On this week's podcast we cover the IMB hosting a Sending Celebration in Tennessee, the ERLC sending a policy request letter to the Trump transition team, a roundup of state convention meetings, a new Christmas devotional from Albert Mohler and more.

Coverage of the presidential election, abortion-related ballot initiatives and ERLC President Brent Leatherwood's reaction, October Cooperative Program giving totals, a spotlight on Southern Baptists' outreach through radio in the 20th Century and more in this week's episode.

In this week's episode we talk about a ballot measure in Missouri that could make it the most pro-abortion state in the country, local pastors and church leaders raising up future pastors, we're joined by April Bunn from IMB to talk about praying for believers in persecution and much more.

Southwestern's trustee report showed a dramatic increase in financial stability and enrollment for the seminary. Also, Shane Pruitt joined Brandon for an interview about Student Baptist Sunday in the SBC. Also, Jonathan and Laura discuss new research from Barna and Lifeway.

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering set record totals. In this episode, Brandon and Laura talk with the IMB's Paul Chitwood and NAMB's Kevin Ezell. Plus, we hear SBC entity trustee reports including the creation of the Jeff Iorg School of Christian Leadership at Gateway Seminary and the renaming of Southeastern's undergraduate school to Judson College.

Southern Baptists are continuing to respond to the devastation left by Hurricane Helene as they prepare to help residents of central and southern Florida in response to Hurricane Milton. The IMB launches a two-year missions' programs for people 55+ and Southwestern Seminary introduces a new website filled with helpful resources. Brandon and Laura cover all this and more in this episode.

Southern Baptist churches and disaster relief workers respond to overwhelming needs across the Southeast due to Hurricane Helene, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission speaks to the president and Congressional leaders about the escalation in the Middle East and Southern Baptists give more than $191 million through the Cooperative Program in the 2023-24 fiscal. Brandon and Laura talk about this and more in this episode.

Folks in the deep south are dealing with the flooding and heavy winds from Hurricane Helene as Southern Baptist disaster relief workers find ways to bring hope and help. The IMB announces a historic total for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and celebrates 57 new missionaries in a sending celebration in Lottie's hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. And, Steve Gaines announces a ministry transition plan.

The September 2024 EC meeting was packed full of business as well as the installation service for new EC president Jeff Iorg. Also, in celebration of episode 500 of the podcast, founding hosts Jonathan Howe and Amy Whitfield joined Brandon and Laura to look back on the history of the show, some of the more interesting moments, and how the podcast may have shaped the SBC over the past nine years.

Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana and brought with it category 2 winds and a lot of rain. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has already begun its response in South Louisiana. Also, the ERLC held their semi annual board meeting in Nashville and released a new statement of support for the staff and leadership.

China announced that it is shutting down international adoptions—a move that was devastating to hundreds of families across the US in line for adoptions. Also, CP giving returned to the positive this past month with more than $16.5 million given in August.

The Lifeway trustees met last week for the semi-annual meeting and update. They approved a budget in excess of $310 million and revenues have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Also, Send Network held a gathering of church planters from around the country.

More than 200 pastors and leaders gathered on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to kickoff preparation and planning for the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting and Pastors' Conference.

The annual collegiate week in the SBC took place in Oklahoma and saw thousands of collegians attend. Also, SBDR is still active in six states responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Debby.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts are in full swing to respond to damage and flooding following Hurricane Debby's arrival on the Florida coast and continued stay in the Carolinas. Also, this weekend is SBC Serve Sunday across the Convention.

The International Mission Board has been active with outreach activities and strategies at the Olympics in Paris. Also, Oklahoma state exec Todd Fisher is in critical care after a serious automobile accident.

Last week saw a turbulent 24 hours for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission leadership, a massive church fires, and a major shakeup in the presidential race and much more. Also, Jonathan Howe steps in as co-host this week for Brandon Porter.

Minh Ha Nguyen, the director of the Southern Baptist Ethnic Research Network, passed away tragically this week in a drowning accident off the coast of North Carolina. Also, Lifeway Research released new data on sentiment related to the Cooperative Program.

Former SBC This Week host Jonathan Howe joins the show to talk about what's next for the podcast, and we cover how Southern Baptists are responding in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.

Mark Hancock, the CEO of Trail Life, stops by to discuss the program as well as why the being in the outdoors is a great way to disciple young men.

SBC Recording Secretary stops by the show to discuss the recent resolution on religious liberty. Also, wildfires in New Mexico have Southern Baptist Disaster Relief forces on duty.

Brandon and Laura take a look back at everything that happened in Indianapolis including the failure of the "Law Amendment" and the election of Clint Pressley as the new SBC president.

The 2024 Annual Meeting is upon us and there are a few last minute news items as well as a recap of the Cooperation Group's work and a celebration for Jamie Dew at NOBTS.

Proposed resolutions for the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting have been released to the public for review. Also, Jared Wellman and Andrew Walker stop by to discuss the Cooperation Group report and recommendations.

Former Southwestern professor and administrator Matt Queen has been indicted on one count of falsifying records in the federal investigation into the Southern Baptist Convention. Also, there was a shakeup in the race for SBC 1VP.

A statue of Billy Graham was unveiled in the nation's capitol, and the IMB commissioned dozens of new missionaries to the nations. Also, Jay Adkins stops by the pod to give insight into the GCR Task Force report.

The 2023 SBC Annual Church Profile has been released and the results are encouraging. They show a 26% spike in baptisms and increases in both worship attendance and small group Bible study attendance.

The Cooperation Group has released their report with various recommendations geared toward potential governing document changes. Also, there's another candidate for SBC 2VP.

Longtime Southern Baptist missions leader Clyde Meador passed away at age 79 following a battle with cancer. Also, SBC President Bart Barber has named the 2023 Committee on Committees and the Committee on Nominations has released their initial report.

Adam Groza was unanimously elected as president of Gateway Seminary. Also, it was announced that Dan Spencer, pastor at First Baptist Sevierville, TN, will be nominated for SBC president this summer at the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting.

Churches across the Convention celebrated Baptism Sunday with hundreds and hundreds of baptisms right before the solar eclipse provided outreach opportunities aplenty for many churches in the path of totality.

Adam Groza will be nominated to succeed Jeff Iorg as the next president of Gateway Seminary later this month. Also, Florida state exec Tommy Green announced he will retire at the end of 2024.

It's Eastertide and churches across the world are celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Also, the ERLC was in the headlines this week with their stances on the new budget and an event announcement for the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting that features former vice president Mike Pence.

Jeff Iorg, the current president of Gateway Seminary, was unanimously elected to lead the SBC Executive Committee during a special called EC meeting in Dallas. Also, Charles Smith was named the new president at the University of Mobile.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has taken the center stage in ethics and politics discussions over the last month. The ERLC has recently released an explainer to help Southern Baptists in the national conversation.

It's Annie Armstrong Easter Offering season, and we have great news about that and CP giving from February. Also, SBC President Bart Barber has announced the Committee on Resolutions for the SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.

Outgoing president of Gateway Seminary, Jeff Iorg, has been identified as the nominee for the president/CEO role at the SBC Executive Committee. The EC will meet March 21 to vote on Iorg.

The EC met in Nashville and heard updates from the ARITF, SBC President Bart Barber, and the President Search Team. As a result, there is the potential for a special called meeting in March to elect a new EC president.

IMB held a commissioning service in Phoenix and sent 62 new missionaries to the nations. Also, Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God, went to be with the Lord.

CP giving results were posted and the YTD total is tracking below budget still. Also, Georgia pastor Brad Whitt will be nominated for the presidency of the 2025 SBC Pastors' Conference in June.

Oklahoma pastor Mike Keahbone has been announced as a candidate for the SBC presidency at this summer's SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. Also, Lifeway held its winter trustee meeting.

Georgia Baptist state executive director Thomas Hammond pulled his name from consideration for the presidency of the SBC Executive Committee. Also, The Road to Indy has started with the Annual Meeting on the horizon.

Winter weather affected much of the country this past week and Southern Baptists were ready to serve those affected by the frigid temperatures and record snowfall. Also, Southern Baptists joined others in standing against abortion.

The SBC Executive Committee's president search team has announced they plan to bring forward a candidate for the entity's vacant presidency at its scheduled February meeting. Also, GuideStone announced it will be the benefits provider for the Global United Methodist denomination.

Legendary Southern Baptist evangelist Junior Hill passed away January 3 leaving behind a legacy of Kingdom work. Also, December CP receipts came in above budget to close out the year.

In this final episode of 2023, Brandon Porter recaps the biggest stories of the year and sits down with SBC President Bart Barber for a mid-year update on the Convention.

Tornadoes in the Middle Tennessee area killed six and left a path of destruction affecting neighborhoods, business, schools and churches. Also, a Missouri church was ransacked by vandals and police have no leads.

This past week was the IMB Week of Prayer for International Missions in support of the 2023 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Also, there were several updates from Convention task forces this week including the ARITF.

The search team tasked with finding the next SBC Executive Committee president released a significant update this week about their timeline. Also, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter passed away this week.

Former SBC president Steve Gaines announced last week that he had recently been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Also, Amy Whitfield stops by the show to discuss her new children's book about Lottie Moon.

IMB held a sending celebration this week in which they sent nearly 50 missionaries to the nations. Also, Aaron Meraz stops by the podcast to talk about the great work of Mission:Dignity.