By Will Hall, Message executive editor VILLA RICA, Ga. (TCI) – Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia, “will be nominated in June to be the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention,” according to a letter released Jan 13. Kevin Williams, pastor of Villa Rica Baptist Church, Villa Rica, Georgia, and president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, released the announcement to The Christian Index, the state convention’s news service. The 2021 SBC Annual Meeting will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, June 15-16. STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT “At this critical moment in our history, Southern Baptists need to be led by a trusted local church pastor with strong convictions about the sufficiency of Scripture, a passion for evangelism, and deep experience in the work of our Convention,” Williams wrote. “Pastor Mike Stone is a trusted leader among Georgia Baptists and I believe he is the kind of experienced pastor and statesman Southern Baptists need.” “The Lord has blessed Emmanuel Baptist with great growth. Yet it is not so large that Pastor Mike cannot relate to the everyday challenges of our pastors and churches. The experience Pastor Mike has helping to lead our state and nearly 25 years … [Read more...]
Supreme Court: FDA can limit telemed abortions
Vice President Pence quotes the Bible and asks for everyone to come together as he writes he will not invoke the 25th Amendment
Amite native, Alabama WR DeVonta Smith thanks God after MVP performance
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MIAMI, Fla. (LBM) – Devonta Smith’s stellar career with the Alabama Crimson Tide came to a close with a record-breaking performance in the national championship game Jan. 11, but in his postgame interview the former Amite High School star was quick to give credit to the Lord for his on-field success after a 52-24 win over Ohio State. Smith, who was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player, set championship game records for the most receptions (12) and receiving touchdowns (3) while accounting for 215 of the Crimson Tide's 464 receiving yards, all of which came in the first half, according to Alabama Sports Information statistics. He left early in the third quarter with an injury to a finger in his right hand. “I wouldn't be able to do any of this without my teammates or without God,” Smith said in the postgame interview. “I just put in the work every day no matter what the situation was, just believing in my coaches to put me in the right situations just to make plays.” The week before, during the Heisman Trophy presentation, Smith gave credit to the Lord for helping him win the award given to the nation’s top college football player. Smith, who helped Amite win the … [Read more...]
