TALLASSEE, Ala. (BP) -- When Beth Baldwin came on board at First Baptist Church, Tallassee, Ala., in February, she never would've guessed a dromedary would be her pastor's first request.

"He said, 'The first thing I want you to do is find an event to have a camel,'" said Baldwin, director of preschool and children's ministries. Read More

PORTLAND, Ore. (BP) -- "Don't give up on Portland. This is a place filled with people that Christ has died for," pleaded Aaron Bennett, pastor of Garden Church in downtown Portland.

Bennett said news in recent weeks from the city, which has been roiled by unrest, protesting and violence, might tempt some in the Christian community to regard it as hopeless. But according to Bennett, the hunger for the Gospel and the need for peace and hope has never been greater. Read More

ORANGE CITY, Fla. (BP) -- Although he grew up in the church, Jordan Harris identified himself as an agnostic during his college years at Florida State University. Returning home to start his career, his parents bribed him to go with them to the Journey church -- worship attendance in exchange for a free meal at a restaurant. For a starving young man starting his own company, any dinner was a step above the Ramen noodles he usually feasted on. Read More

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Continued financial faithfulness of Southern Baptists has pushed monthly giving through the Cooperative Program to levels not seen since before the COVID-19 global pandemic. July's total giving through the national CP allocation budget totaled nearly $17 million -- the highest monthly total since February. Read More