Good News for Today

 Episode 530

ERLC Endorses Pro-Life Bills & Pastors Preparing Their People For An Election Year

A trio of pro-life bills, endorsed by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and other pro-life groups, were either introduced, reintroduced or passed last Thursday. And, the calendar has turned over, and we are now in the thick of a political season in a presidential election year. Pastors around the country understand the gravity of this moment and want to lead their people well. So, what does that look like?

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

POLICY DIGEST: ERLC endorses pro-life bills

International Mission Board

How Pastors Can Prepare Their People for an Election Year

Transcript

A trio of pro-life bills, endorsed by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and other pro-life groups, were either introduced, reintroduced or passed last Thursday.

The Pregnancy Center Support Act was introduced to the Senate on Thursday, while the
Unborn Child Support Act was reintroduced the same day. Additionally, the previously introduced Pregnant Students’ Rights Act passed the House on Thursday.

These updates took place one day before the annual March for Life.

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) introduced the Pregnancy Center Support Act on Jan. 18.
The bill would implement a tax credit in order to encourage and incentivize voluntary contributions to pregnancy resource centers around the country.

The bill known as the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act passed the House Jan. 18 by a vote of 212 to 207, with only Republican support.

The bill, introduced by U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA) in early 2022, requires public institutions of higher education that participate in federal student-aid programs to provide information to admitted and enrolled students about the available rights and resources for students who are pregnant or may become pregnant. These rights and resources must exclude abortion services.

The institution must also establish a protocol to meet with students who believe they have been discriminated against based on pregnancy. They must also provide pregnancy-related questions to enrolled students and annually submit compiled responses to the Department of Education.
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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at

 Episode 529

Poll Finds Respect for Religious Diversity, House Speaker Addresses March For Life & Reasons Why Some Prodigals Return

More than 90 percent of American adults support religious pluralism, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty found in its latest Religious Freedom Index, contrary to acts of religious hatred and intolerance amid the Israel-Hamas War. Addressing a crowd he called “a beautiful picture of America,” U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson laid out his philosophy for the American pro-life movement in a speech at a rally just prior to the 51st annual March for Life last Friday. And, we’ve all had family members and friends who have made bad choices and wandered from their faith and their family.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Most U.S. adults respect religious diversity as hate crimes rise, poll finds

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Southern Baptist, addresses March for Life rally

International Mission Board

7 reasons why some prodigals return

Transcript

More than 90 percent of American adults support religious pluralism, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty found in its latest Religious Freedom Index, contrary to acts of religious hatred and intolerance amid the Israel-Hamas War.

In other findings, 59 percent of respondents viewed religion as part of the solution to America’s problems, up 9 percentage points from the previous year; 67 percent said parents should be able to opt their children out of public education classes they find morally or religiously objectionable, and Gen Z is more accepting than others of religious clothing and religious days off in the workplace.

90 percent, expressed tolerance and respect for a broad array of beliefs and ideas about God; with 86 percent saying people should be free to express their faith even if it is contrary to popular practices, such as not consuming alcoholic beverages or certain foods, or wearing religious specific clothing.
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Addressing a crowd he called “a beautiful picture of America,” U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson laid out his philosophy for the American pro-life movement in a speech at a rally just prior to the 51st annual March for Life last Friday.

The event, which marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s now-overturned Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide, drew thousands of people from around the country, who braved cold temperatures and falling snow.

Johnson was the first sitting speaker of the House to attend the event since Paul Ryan addressed marchers in 2018. Johnson was one of several Southern Baptists featured at this year’s rally, including Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford and Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California, who also addressed the crowd.

“Every single person has inestimable dignity and value,” he said. “And your value is not related in any way to the color of your skin or what zip code you live in, how good you are in spor...

 Episode 528

Church Open Doors For The Cold, 2024 World Watch List & The Word And Prayer Manifesto

Pastor Chris Simmons and Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas have learned that opened doors tend to open hearts. They know this. Open Doors has revealed their Top 50 countries where it’s most dangerous for Christians. And, with less than 18 hours before the crucifixion, Jesus made certain His disciples understood the inseparable relationship between prayer and the Word.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

As cold lingers nationwide, churches open doors for ministry

700 percent rise in church attacks, closures noted in 2024 World Watch List

International Mission Board

The Word and prayer manifesto

Transcript

Pastor Chris Simmons and Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas have learned that opened doors tend to open hearts. They know this.

Simmons and Cornerstone became acutely aware in January 2018 after a homeless man froze to death within eyesight of the church.

They’ve been caring for people this week as severe cold has affected much of the country.

Bitterly cold temperatures across the country have brought at least 37 deaths nationwide, with another frigid wave set to descend in days. At times the wind chill has sunk to -25 degrees in Salinas, Kan., where Greg Savage is pastor of First Southern Baptist Church.

“At the heart of it, we need to keep looking for ways to give feet to the Gospel,” he said. “We know the truths and how Christ died for us. That’s a message we share in a verbal way, but also must give hands and feed to let others see Jesus.”
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Open Doors has revealed their Top 50 countries where it’s most dangerous for Christians.

Attacks on churches and Christian properties in 2023 increased 700 percent over the previous year, including 10,000 church closures in China, Open Doors U.S. said Jan. 18 in its latest World Watch List of the 50 worst countries for Christians. 

Nigeria remains the deadliest place for Christians, with 4,998 Christians killed, a slight drop from the 5,014 the previous year. The national election period saw a slight drop in violence from Islamic extremists, the main culprits there.
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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
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With less than 18 hours before the crucifixion, Jesus made certain His disciples understood the inseparable relationship between prayer and the Word. He said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). The early church wasted no time implementing the ad...

 Episode 527

March For Life, Heroes Of The Pro-Life Movement & Encouraging Church Members To Adopt

The 51st Annual March for Life is happening Friday in Washington, DC. Shakira loved being a mom. She calls it the greatest job there is.
And, more pastors are encouraging members to adopt and provide foster care at a time when adoptions have declined in the U.S.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Pregnancy care center workers ‘heroes of the pro-life movement’

International Mission Board

Transcript

The 51st Annual March for Life is happening Friday in Washington, DC. The crowds who gather will hear from U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson; U.S. Representative Chris Smith (NJ); Jim Daly, President and CEO of Focus on the Family; Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship with his wife Cathe.

The group says it is the world’s largest annual human rights demonstration.
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Shakira loved being a mom. She calls it the greatest job there is.

But Shakira already had six kids when she found out she was pregnant again. The thought of adding more kids to her already hectic life of a busy mom, full-time employee and full-time student seemed overwhelming. She felt stretched beyond her capacity.

Shakira started googling for help – prenatal care, resources and someone to talk with. That’s when she discovered The Pregnancy Network, a multidenominational Christian organization in North Carolina’s Triad that serves women who need help to face an unplanned pregnancy.

Through The Pregnancy Network, Shakira got the support she needed. She also met Charlotte Haywood, a registered nurse and member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Greensboro. Not long after the two met, Charlotte invited Shakira and her boyfriend to join her at church. Eventually, Shakira married her boyfriend, they gave their lives to Jesus, and they both were baptized at Cornerstone.
Pregnancy Support Centers, like Cornerstone, are at work across the country caring not only for the health of the unborn child but for the lives of mothers and fathers.
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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
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More pastors are encouraging members to adopt and provide foster care at a time when adoptions have declined in the U.S.
A Lifeway Research study found more than 2 in 5 U.S. Protestant churchgoers (44%) say their congregation and its leaders are proactively involved with adoption and foster care in at least one of seven ways. A similar percentage (45%) say they haven’t seen other churchgoers or leaders provide any of the specific types of care or support, while 11% aren’t sure.

More than 1 in 10 churchgoers say someone in their congregation has provided foster care (16%), adopted a child from the U.S. (13%) or adopted a child from another country (11%) within the last year.

Compared to a few years ago, fewer churchgoers ...

 Episode 526

The Diaspora Missions Collective, ‘City Of Prayer’ Conference & Why Pastors Struggle To Ask For Help

Refugees and immigrants from all over the world are coming to the U-S. Imagine if churches from across your city or community came together to pray for God to stir spiritual awakening in your hometown. And, maybe you struggle to get help. Pastors can be guilty of that.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Southern Baptists unite to serve diaspora peoples in U.S.

‘City of Prayer’ conference seeks 24/7 year-round revival of prayer

International Mission Board

Why pastors struggle to ask for help (and how to get it)

Transcript

Refugees and immigrants from all over the world are coming to the U-S.

“The nations are on the move,” John Barnett with Send Relief. “The U.S. has never been more interconnected to other people groups, yet we remain culturally apart.”

Not only is a good time to care for these folks, but it’s a great time to share the hope of Jesus Christ, he says.

Training is a key role of the ministry, he says. Barnett is helping to lead The Diaspora Missions Collective is building a collaborative platform of videos, webinars, training tools and best practices that churches and individuals can access free of charge. It is also offering regional, in-person training events and opportunities for dedicated groups to join cohorts who will unify around the purpose of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with internationals.

Learn more at SendRelief.org.
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Imagine if churches from across your city or community came together to pray for God to stir spiritual awakening in your hometown. That happened in Clarksville, Tennessee this past weekend.

Organizers say more than 100 people attended the event, representing 12 churches and including 10 pastors.

The churches would each dedicate a specific number of people to fill spots during a set period of time. They would all focus on praying that God would bring revival and renewal to their city as they lift up the city’s leaders and the churches within the community.

Kie Bowman led the training for the event. He’s helped lead similar events in his hometown of Austin, Texas.
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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
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Maybe you struggle to get help. Pastors can be guilty of that. In a Baptist Press Toolbox piece, Sam Rainer says pastors can struggle because of:

* The fear of vulnerability. Insecurity can cause someone to think receiving help is a sign of weakness. This fe...

 Episode 525

Celebrating Religious Liberty & Faith That Matters

Just a day after remembering the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., Americans are being called to reflect on the importance of religious freedom as they observed religious freedom day on Tuesday. And, in Luke 5, Jesus boarded Peter’s boat to teach the crowd gathered to hear Him speak. Peter had a front-row seat. As he listened, he heard about living by faith instead of religious observance.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Religious liberty celebrated as key freedom in the U.S. and abroad

International Mission Board

Bible Study: Faith that matters

Transcript

Just a day after remembering the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., Americans are being called to reflect on the importance of religious freedom as they observed religious freedom day on Tuesday.

“The constitutional right to practice our faiths peacefully and openly is a core tenet of our democracy and helps us fulfill one of our highest aspirations as a Nation: to be a citadel of liberty and a beacon of freedom,” said President Joe Biden in a Jan. 12 release proclaiming Jan. 16 as Religious Freedom Day.

Presidents have been setting aside the day since it was designated by Congress in 1993.

The day is set aside to commemorate “the Virginia General Assembly’s adoption of the landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786,” according to George Washington University. The statute was written by Thomas Jefferson.

Southern Seminary professor Andrew Walker says, “…religious liberty is tied not only to our historical identity, but our theological identity. We have stood as bulwarks for liberty in American history believing that faith plays a vital part of our national identity, and that the ability to live out that faith is integral to the American project. I am encouraged to the see Biden Administration’s Proclamation on Religious Freedom.”

However, he sees some significant red flags.

“While I commend the steps this administration has taken to promote religious freedom, it would do well to move beyond mere platitudes and re-examine the stance it has taken to alienate Americans of faith whose faith commitments contradict progressive orthodoxy. Religious freedom is not true religious freedom unless applied equally and consistently,” he said.

A recent Biden administration foster care rule requires “foster parents or caregivers must be ‘prepared with the appropriate knowledge and skills to provide for the needs of the child related to the child’s self-identified sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression,’” according to the Washington Examiner.

He beli...

 Episode 524

MLK’s Positive Impact, Biblical Immigration Solutions & When Scripture Seems Silent

Facing brutal cold across the country, many Americans took Monday to reflect on the civil rights work of Martin Luther King, Jr. The Evangelical Immigration Table and World Relief issued a letter Jan. 11 signed by more than 500 evangelical Christians to U.S. presidential candidates urging them to consider biblical principles when drafting solutions to the immigration crisis. And, while the Scriptures speak about many issues, they do not speak to all issues. A piece in the Baptist Press Toolbox offers some suggestions on how believers can understand what God thinks about an issue when there is no specific, related Scriptural reference.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Most adults cite MLK’s ‘positive impact’ ahead of 95th birthday, Pew finds

Evangelical leaders ask biblical immigration solutions of presidential candidates

International Mission Board

When Scripture seems silent

Transcript

Facing brutal cold across the country, many Americans took Monday to reflect on the civil rights work of Martin Luther King, Jr.

In a recent Pew’s study of more than 5,000 adults, 47 percent of said King left a “very positive” impact on the nation, but only 38 percent said their own views on racial equality were influenced by King’s legacy a “great deal or a fair amount.”

Gregory Ward, pastor of Emmanual Baptist Church in Riverdale, Ga., said he has respected King from his youth, having grown up in Detroit with parents who were immensely civically engaged. Then, moving to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College, he heard Clark Atlanta University’s weekly radio broadcasts of King’s speeches.

At Morehouse, one of King’s alma maters, Ward began to greatly appreciate King as a wise and skilled theologian, in addition to an advocate for widespread progress while still a young man.
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The Evangelical Immigration Table and World Relief issued a letter Jan. 11 signed by more than 500 evangelical Christians to U.S. presidential candidates urging them to consider biblical principles when drafting solutions to the immigration crisis.

Biblical immigration policies would be nonpartisan and embrace a respect for both the law and immigrants, who are made in God’s image. Biblically based policies would promote family unity, civility and order, panelists said, and would avoid harsh, unbiblical language.

While the imago Dei is often cited in pro-life circles, Anthony Beam pointed out its application in all considerations of life, including immigration, immigrants and their families.

Anthony Beam is a policy consultant for the South Carolina Baptist Convention and senior director of Church and Community Engagement and Public Affairs at North Greenville University.
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Ever...

 Episode 523

Martin Luther King Jr. Day & Getting Serious About Daily Prayer

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day…a federal holiday set aside to honor the life and legacy of the man who help guide the nation toward providing civil rights for all races. And, in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Kie Bowman writes, “Why does the amount of time we spend in prayer matter?”

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

International Mission Board

Getting serious about daily prayer

Transcript

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day…a federal holiday set aside to honor the life and legacy of the man who help guide the nation toward providing civil rights for all races.

Born on January 15, 1929, King led peaceful protests and promoted non-violence even as he spoke about discrimination across the United States during a time of profound racial tension and riots.

He was gunned down in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968 at the young age of 39.

One of King’s most well known speeches was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as thousands gathered on the national mall on August 28, 1963.
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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
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In the Baptist Press Toolbox, Kie Bowman writes, “Why does the amount of time we spend in prayer matter? For one thing, you have a finite amount of time in this life. How you spend it says a lot about what matters to you. E. M. Bounds once wrote, “Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying.” More time spent in prayer should be a priority for every believer.

In the first lesson on prayer in Matthew 6:6, Jesus made reference to time. He said, “When you pray….” There are at least three issues related to time to consider: First, how often should we pray? In the most famous prayer in the world Jesus instructed us to pray “this day” for our “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Obviously, He expects us to pray every day. 

Taking your prayer life seriously involves at least two things: time and space! Both time and space require something only you can give. You need the commitment to make it happen. If you don’t have a set time for prayer and a designated place for prayer, chances are you don’t have a consistent prayer life. You can change that. 

Imagine what could happen if thousands of Christians made a commitment to increase their time and effectiveness in prayer. You cannot control what others do, but you can get serious about what you do. Now is the time to begin.”

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Find stories like this and more at Baptist Press.com. There you can learn how to sign up for our daily emails. They’re free and come to your inbox morning or evening. Visit Baptist Press.com to learn more.

 Episode 522

Start Of Fiscal Year For Churches, Sermon Paintings By Artist & Congregation May Tune Out Your Sermon

Some of the most encouraging news we hear has roots in tragedy. This week, Carter McNeese and his wife, Audrey, were awaiting their possessions to be delivered to their new home in Shalimar, Florida when the phone rang. And, Williamstown, Missouri is a small town with a population of only 60 souls. There only one church left in the small community and on January 4, Pastor James Leezer of Providence Church received the call no one wants – the church and the parsonage are on fire.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Loss of everything in moving accident prompts fellow pastors to launch GoFundMe

International Mission Board

‘God has a purpose behind the pain,’ pastor says of fires that destroyed church building, parsonage

Transcript

Some of the most encouraging news we hear has roots in tragedy.

This week, Carter McNeese and his wife, Audrey, were awaiting their possessions to be delivered to their new home in Shalimar, Florida when the phone rang. McNeese has recently completed a pastoral assignment in North Carolina and his family was relocating. On the other end of the phone was a North Carolina State Trooper informing him that the truck transporting their possessions had been involved in a head on accident. The driver of the other vehicle was killed in the accident and the truck carrying their belongings were destroyed in a fire that resulted from the crash.

As you can imagine, McNeese and his family was devastated. They were brokenhearted to hear of the loss of life and very disappointed to hear of the fire.

News of the crash began to spread across Shalimar and believers started bring replacement items for the family…including toys for their children. While some of the lost items could never be replaced…many could.

The news made it onto social media where an online group set up a Go Fund Me account to assist the family. So far, nearly all the $10,000 goal has been reached. “Tonight, we hug the boys and each other more tightly and know that in God’s providence all things work together for the good of those who love him,” McNeese wrote in the social media group this week.
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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
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Williamstown, Missouri is a small town with a population of only 60 souls. There only one church left in the small community and on January 4, Pastor James Leezer of Providence Church received the call no one wants – the church and the parsonage are on fire.

Despite efforts by firefighters, both structures were completely destroyed by the blaze. The state Fire Ma...

 Episode 521

Nigeria Hostile To Religious Freedom, Idaho Abortion Ban & Being Intentional In The New Year

College classmates stoned and torched Deborah Samuel to death in May 2022, in Abuja, Nigeria, accusing her of blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad. The Supreme Court will rule on a case involving an Idaho law which bans nearly all abortions in the state. And, Caleb Davis wants you to have a strong start to the new year but he believes it won’t happen accidentally. You must be intentional he writes in the Baptist Press Toolbox.

Host

Resources

Transcript

College classmates stoned and torched Deborah Samuel to death in May 2022, in Abuja, Nigeria, accusing her of blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad. At St. Francis Catholic Church in Ondo State, bandits attacked during mass on Pentecost Sunday and killed dozens.

The events occurred in mid-2022 around the time Frederick Davie, vice chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), was on an official trip investigating the religious persecution that makes Nigeria the most dangerous place globally for Christians.

Yet, the U.S. State Department has failed to list Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) since 2020, the lone year the country was included on the list that alerts Congress to religious freedom violations and lays groundwork for intervention.

The CPC designation indicates a national government has “engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom,” as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), and alerts Congress to impose policies or economic measures against the countries to promote international religious freedom.
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The Supreme Court will rule on a case involving an Idaho law which bans nearly all abortions in the state.

The high court agreed to hear a challenge to the law, known as the “Defense of Life Act,” which makes it a felony for doctors to perform most abortions, with an exception for procedures performed when necessary to save the life of the mother.

Last Friday (Jan. 5), the Supreme Court ruled Idaho can enforce the law while the case involving the legislation is being resolved. The court is expected to hear the case in April, and a subsequent decision is expected by early summer.

The Friday ruling put on hold a lower court ruling which blocked the Idaho law, based upon a lawsuit filed by the Biden administration.
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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.

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Caleb Davis wants you to have a strong start to the new year but he believes it won’t happen accidentally. You...