By Sara Crocker There seems to be something poignantly ironic about the fact that at the time of this interview, which calls attention to the ending of a career, Jim Smith’s daughter-in-law is in labor with his first grandchild. An ending is marked by a new beginning. Smith retired at the end of December 2019 following a 44-year global ministry and 27-year tenure … Continue reading
By Ashleigh Bugg Starting a new church can be difficult. However, pastors Kan’Dace and Fredricc Brock welcome the challenge. The couple have been co-leading The Message Church in San Antonio, Texas, after starting the church in April of 2018. “Some of the joy of church starting has been being able to establish a new community,” … Continue reading
By Ashleigh Bugg For pastors and ministers, especially those just starting their careers, ministry can be a lonely place. “Isolation is a real thing, and it happens everywhere,” said Courtney Stamey, senior pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Clinton, Mississippi. “You can be in Atlanta, Chicago or a very populated place; but you get so stuck in … Continue reading
By Chris Hughes On Friday mornings, volunteers set up six-foot folding tables and chairs in the narthex of a church in the south end of Louisville. The church bears the familiar markings of a post-World War II Baptist church, from the plain stained-glass windows to the wood paneling on the walls and ceiling. But the … Continue reading
By Ben Brown Fred’s is the old haunt on Main Street downtown. It’s a staple in a town like Franklin, Virginia. Styrofoam cups are stacked behind the bar, and the breakfast special of Eggs Frederick for $8.95 is being advertised. It’s dinner-time now though, and most patrons are finishing their plates of fried chicken and … Continue reading
By Blake Tommey For Nabeha and her daughter Hanin, the most painful part of immigrating to the United States was leaving their family behind in Iraq. “Always, I’m thinking about our family—my sister, brother, nephews, nieces,” Nabeha said. Like many Iraqi refugees, Nabeha worked as a contract translator for the U.S. Army, helping military personnel … Continue reading
By Blake Tommey Unlike the tropical flowers he sold on the roadside in Lomé, Togo, Bruno was withering away. His father, who owned the horticulture business that employed him, mistreated Bruno and refused to pay him a living wage. As a result, Bruno, his wife, Fafa, and their newborn son, Romerick, would frequently go hungry. … Continue reading
