By Grayson Hester CBF church starters Felix and Nicole Iyoko may very well have the answer. Since they were first featured in 2018 for starting a church – their 15th – the Congolese couple have continued to do what they’ve been doing since fleeing from their native Democratic Republic of Congo years ago: They’ve pressed … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester When CBF Communications first featured Nabeha and her daughter Hanin as part of the Offering for Global Missions campaign in 2019, the headline read as follows: “The Impact of Abundant Life.” Not easy life, or luxurious life. Not even good life. Abundant life. The kind of life Jesus promises for us, and … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed I recently interviewed several pastors about their experiences leading congregations during the pandemic. Specifically, I wanted to know how they handled the initial turn to online worship and the million mini-ministry pivots they’ve had to make in the two years since. Unsurprisingly, all these pastors are exhausted. But not all are discouraged. … Continue reading
Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed Many pastors go into ministry because they love people. They consider your willingness to trust them with your stories a privilege. They want to hold your hand when you have gotten bad news. They celebrate alongside you at milestone moments. Pastoral care is not just part of ministers’ job descriptions. It is … Continue reading
By Renee Edington I’ve been thinking a lot about chaos and disorder. It started around the time I was writing a prayer for my seminary’s Fall convocation—a prayer for the new academic year. I struggled to write the prayer. So much was happening in the world. In Kentucky, as in many other states in the … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester It’s difficult to know what to make of Jesus’ words to the disciples in Matthew 28:20. He who said, “And, remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age,” was also he who, not too long before, had died and was buried. We could forgive the disciples a bit … Continue reading
By Jennifer Colosimo The past 20-plus months have seen a lot—much more than a quick list could cover. But one thing we can celebrate amidst the chaos is how many people were able to push through hardships, confusion and logistical nightmares to some sort of silver lining. That includes Nineteenth Avenue Baptist Church, a small … Continue reading
2021 was supposed to be much easier than 2020, wasn’t it? But we all have experienced the political unrest, social upheaval, continued strains of the pandemic, and so much more. So when an opportunity comes along to escape from it all for even one hour and fifty minutes, you jump on that opportunity. At least … Continue reading
They call it “The Great Resignation.” People are leaving their jobs, changing careers, and reprioritizing their lives. But why? For some, especially women, the pandemic circumstances have forced them out of the workplace and into the role of primary caregiver for children or aging parents, or both. In a business world already not set up … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed I am so relieved that heading into Advent and Christmas 2021, the pandemic is in the rearview mirror. We can put aside the difficulty and the different look of last year’s holiday observances and go all out, with all of our people back in the pews! Record scratch. The reality is that … Continue reading