By Marv Knox After the United States military withdrew from Afghanistan in late summer of 2021, a wave of Afghan refugees began heading toward the San Francisco Bay Area, where Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel Lita and Rick Sample prepared for them. The Samples didn’t have to ask who might need help; their local Afghan … Continue reading
By Kristen Thomason For three days in August, 56 female pastors gathered to worship, learn, reconnect and rest at the Baptist Women in Ministry retreat for pastoras in Puerto Rico. Some of the participants were seminary students just beginning their ministries, some pastors of local churches looking for inspiration, some chaplains serving their communities, and … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester Sometimes the best way to discover home is to leave it. That’s certainly proven true for Ingrid Bangova, a Roma woman from the small village of Cinobaňa, Slovakia. She, like many Roma people scattered throughout the Eastern European diaspora, relates complicatedly to that concept of “home.” A perennially displaced and persecuted people, … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester To care for mothers is to care for humanity. Michelle Norman and Elisabet Roca do their work in this sacred “Magnificat” tradition of Mary, mother of God. “We started a program called Mamáventura,” explained Michelle. “It’s a ministry to immigrant moms and their children.” Stationed in Catalonia, Spain, CBF field personnel Michelle … Continue reading
Like many churches, over the past several decades, Willow Meadows Baptist in Houston has seen an ongoing decrease in attendance at its services, Bible studies and other church events. According to the church’s senior minister, Craig Taylor, the congregation averages 80 people in person and another 40 online on a typical Sunday. What makes this … Continue reading
By Paul Baxley The theme of this year’s campaign for the Offering for Global Missions is “Equipping with Every Good Thing.” But this is much more than a theme. It is a description of a powerful truth. God is equipping our Fellowship with everything we need to participate in the mission of Jesus Christ around … Continue reading
By Jennifer Colosimo Speedway, Indiana, isn’t the place that comes to mind when one thinks of a growing, multi-national community. Due to its proximity to Indianapolis and the racing industry, that is what it has become. At the northern boundary of Speedway, Speedway Baptist Church has always been an anomaly. Speedway Baptist Church was founded … Continue reading
By Marv Knox For 25 years, CBF chaplains and pastoral counselors have entered sacred spaces, delivering unconditional love and compassionate presence. Chaplain Charlie Reynolds closed the memorial service for U.S. Army Spec. Anthony Vaccaro, “the most-loved soldier in the battalion,” a medic who died in Afghanistan in 2006. Then Reynolds moved to Vaccaro’s memorial display … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester Maria knows, perhaps better than most, that for things to grow, there must be patience. For things to flourish one needs resilience and humility, a willingness both to get hands dirty and to let go. Having moved from the mountains of Guatemala to Immokalee, Fla., 22 years ago, Maria understands the necessity … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester Often, we only speak of South Florida when it relates to Miami, national elections or hurricanes. The southernmost tip of the United States sits as distantly from our minds as it does most of our churches. This is sadly ironic because we literally could not, and do not, live without it. Across … Continue reading
CBFblog 