Luke Holmes

Few things are more universal in churches than summer camps.  They vary in size, location, and amenities, but almost every church goes to a camp of some sort.  I wasn't able to ascertain exactly when camps started, but I can say for certain that they have evolved over the years. An older lady at my church told me they used to take live chickens with them to camp in order that they could have eggs all week. The big treat of the week then came at the end when they had fried chicken.  While many churches still have cooks who go with them to prepare meals, I doubt there is any slaughtering of … [Read more...] about Baptist Summer Camps

Every week on the SBC This Week Podcast, Amy Whitfield offers a moment of history. And then every year on the recap episode after the annual meeting, her moment of history is the whole meeting itself.  Make sure and check out the episode for an excellent summary of the weeks events.  This years meeting felt particularly eventful, and I want to offer a few moments  of history that occurred during the week. These are in no particular order, and some are definitely more important than others.   Sexual Abuse Reforms -  The recommendations presented by the SATF are good first steps … [Read more...] about History Made at the 2022 Annual Meeting

If you’ve even been a shade tree mechanic you probably know the name Chilton. Their manuals on car repair were the gold standard for almost every make and model of car. They gave detailed explanations on almost every aspect of car maintenance. Founded in 1904 Chilton soon became a leader for manuals in all types of industries. If you had a problem you couldn’t figure out, or if you tore apart a carburetor and couldn’t get it back together, Chiton’s could help you. The local library often had a huge collection of them, and before the internet they were the go-to source for car … [Read more...] about Ministry beyond the manuals

With the recent announcement that Ed Litton will not be running for a second term as SBC President, rumors have been flying about the open position and who will run for it. Florida pastor Willy Rice has already been announced as a candidate by the man who will nominate him, Clint Pressley. There will undoubtedly be another candidate, especially given the current climate of the SBC. It’s expected that the Conservative Baptist Network will announce a candidate that they choose to support, and there are plenty of names being bandied about. I don’t wish to discuss the relative merits … [Read more...] about Who can be president of the Southern Baptist Convention?

The history of the SBC includes thousands of missionaries, pastors, workers, and others who often get lost to history.  My goal is to highlight a few of those people in order that we can be encouraged and inspired by their lives and sacrifice.  The evangelist Billy Graham called Dr. Cauthen ''one of the greatest missionary statesmen in all American church life.'' That statement alone ought to be enough to get your attention. But the legacy of Dr. Cauthen can be seen in many other ways besides that testimony. For over 25 years Cauthen led the Foreign Mission Board (now the IMB) in historic … [Read more...] about Baptists you should know: Baker James Cauthen

Every year Amy Whitfield and Jonathan Howe of the excellent SBC This Week podcast post some questions for the coming year as it relates to the Southern Baptist convention. Find their questions for this year here. And then at the end of the year they go back and answer those questions. Sometimes they are right on the money, and sometimes they miss the big stories entirely. In honor of there questions I want to pose a few questions of my own that I have been thinking about. 1. Will someone run against Ed Litton for SBC President? During the Conservative Resurgence it was not … [Read more...] about 5 Questions for the SBC in 2022

The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma was only a year old when Alonzo Nunnery came to pastor in Oklahoma. The young convention had formed as a merger in 1906 from the conventions in Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory and Nunnery came to the state to pastor in Granite, Oklahoma, from Tennessee. Nunnery spent from 1907-1939 as a pastor in southern Oklahoma, and undoubtedly left a mark on the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). His contribution, though less than desirable, helped the fledgling convention cement its beliefs and firm stand in their convictions. Born in … [Read more...] about The man who was no longer Baptist

Landrum Holmes made his way home with a heavy heart. As a missionary in Chefoo, China he was used to hardship and difficulties. But this time something weighed even heavier than usual. As he opened the door and greeted his wife he began to tell her of the death of a fellow missionary. "If I thought I should die and leave you alone," he said, "leave you to go all that long way back by yourself, I should find it hard to say 'Thy will be done.'" His brave wife's quick and encouraging reply was, "Landrum, I would not go back; I would stay here and work." His face shone with deep joy. "If you feel … [Read more...] about Baptists You Should Know, Sallie Holmes