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Traylor encourages UM students with ‘lessons from the middle of the Book’
“We need to touch this nation with the gospel. We can do it if we ever learn to love with grace and truth.” —Ted Traylor

Study: God, the Super Bowl and divine intervention
“Most Americans aren’t willing to agree that an infinite God can be reduced to a finite question stating His care for the Super Bowl winner,” said Lifeway Research’s Scott McConnell.

Headlines of the week — Tragedy in Orlando; TX execution; ministry tips; AI news; executive orders; and more
To read a quick recap of some of the latest news reports this week from The Baptist Paper, see below.

IMB trustees appoint 39 missionaries, elect new VP of global engagement
International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 39 new full-time, fully funded missionaries and unanimously elected the next vice president of global engagement during their Feb. 4–5 meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.

Former UA campus minister Bennett dies
Don Bennett served as Baptist Campus Minister at the University of Alabama from 1981 to 1990. He was also the husband of Mary Sue, who for 16 years served as special assistant to Rick Lance, SBOM executive director.

Ivey proposes record General and Education Trust Fund budgets
Gov. Kay Ivey is proposing record budgets for both the General Fund and education budgets in fiscal 2026 with increases for Medicaid, state employees and teachers retirement systems and health insurance.

Former Alabama pastor, senior adult minister Gibson dies at 87
James Edward Gibson Jr., who served in ministry in Alabama for nearly 20 years, died Jan. 31. He served at Bethel Baptist Church in Robertsdale from 1990 to 2005 and as senior adult minister for FBC Birmingham from 2005 to 2009.

39 new missionaries celebrated at South Carolina’s historic Baptist church
The pews of First Baptist Church, Charleston, South Carolina, were filled to celebrate newly appointed International Mission Board missionaries on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
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SEBTS professor, former Brook Hills teaching pastor Shaddix dies
Jim Shaddix was a senior professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and served as pastor of teaching/training at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham from 2012 to 2015.

Headlines of the week — Tragedy in Orlando; TX execution; ministry tips; AI news; executive orders; and more
To read a quick recap of some of the latest news reports this week from The Baptist Paper, see below.

Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for Feb. 9
Here’s the Explore the Bible Sunday School lesson commentary for Feb. 9, written by Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D., professor of Biblical Studies, University of Mobile.

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for Feb. 9
Here’s the Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for Feb. 9, written by Adam Winn, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies at Samford University.

2025 Ministers’ Tax Guide released by GuideStone
GuideStone Financial Resources has released the 2025 Ministers’ Tax Guide for 2024 Returns, available now for GuideStone members.

SBC 2025 pre-registration, childcare now open
Messenger pre-registration and childcare registration for the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in June will be available starting Monday, Feb. 3.

IMB trustees appoint 39 missionaries, elect new VP of global engagement
International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 39 new full-time, fully funded missionaries and unanimously elected the next vice president of global engagement during their Feb. 4–5 meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.

Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for Feb. 2
Here’s the Explore the Bible Sunday School lesson commentary for Feb. 2, written by Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D., professor of Biblical Studies, University of Mobile.
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Study: God, the Super Bowl and divine intervention
“Most Americans aren’t willing to agree that an infinite God can be reduced to a finite question stating His care for the Super Bowl winner,” said Lifeway Research’s Scott McConnell.

Headlines of the week — Tragedy in Orlando; TX execution; ministry tips; AI news; executive orders; and more
To read a quick recap of some of the latest news reports this week from The Baptist Paper, see below.

Connection, meaning and purpose: 5 ways to ignite engagement this year
Here are five practical ways to increase engagement in 2025. For the sake of the gospel.

Study: God, the Super Bowl and divine intervention
“Most Americans aren’t willing to agree that an infinite God can be reduced to a finite question stating His care for the Super Bowl winner,” said Lifeway Research’s Scott McConnell.

Headlines of the week — Tragedy in Orlando; TX execution; ministry tips; AI news; executive orders; and more
To read a quick recap of some of the latest news reports this week from The Baptist Paper, see below.

Connection, meaning and purpose: 5 ways to ignite engagement this year
Here are five practical ways to increase engagement in 2025. For the sake of the gospel.