The Baptist Record - Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 August 19, 2026

Hattiesburg CJC program celebrates 25 years of community impact

Volunteers with RISE earn Adult Reading and Writing Teacher Training certificates at the State Literacy Missions and Christian Job Corps Conference held at Garaywa Camp & Conference Center July 31-August 1. (Photo credit: RISE)

Hattiesburg CJC program celebrates 25 years of community impact

August 19, 2026

By Lindsey CarrawayWriting Specialist CLINTON, Miss. — RISE, a Christian Job Corp (CJC) program in Hattiesburg, is celebrating 25 years of ministry this year. Recently,…

Bible Studies for Life: August 23

Bible Studies for Life: August 23

August 19, 2026

Explore the Bible: August 23

Explore the Bible: August 23

August 19, 2026

Oklahoma farm girl helps strengthen churches in Colombia, one pig at a time

Taylor McConnell, an IMB Journeyman, teaches members of a Colombian church about biblical stewardship over the resources God provides. (Photo credit: IMB)

Oklahoma farm girl helps strengthen churches in Colombia, one pig at a time

August 17, 2026

Adults account for most baptisms in SBC congregations

An adult is baptized at Crossgates Baptist Church in Brandon. In 2025, 33 percent of baptisms in Southern Baptist congregations were adults. (Photo credit: Crossgates Baptist Church)

Adults account for most baptisms in SBC congregations

August 14, 2026

Final claim dismissed
in Johnny Hunt lawsuit
NASHVILLE (BP) — A U.S. district court has once again sided with the Southern Baptist Convention and other defendants in a suit brought by former SBC President Johnny Hunt. Chief District Judge William L. Campbell Jr., of the Middle District of Tennessee issued today (August 12) a final summary judgment on the only remaining claim in the case. Hunt filed the suit against the SBC, its Executive Committee and Guidepost Solutions in March 2023, claiming defamation after he was named in a 2022 report from Guidepost that was based on an investigation into alleged mishandling of sexual abuse claims by the SBC EC. Campbell had dismissed all other claims in the suit on March 31, 2025. The lone remaining claim regarded a 2022 tweet by then-SBC President Bart Barber that mentioned Hunt, who considered the post defamatory. The court’s determination today hinged on whether Hunt was a public figure and whether the tweet was made with actual malice. Campbell decided Hunt was a public figure “during the relevant time” and that there was no evidence of malice.