Terry Long, director of missions (DOM) for Choctaw Baptist Association, was named an associate in the office of evangelism for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions recently. In this role, he serves part-time as the evangelism strategist for the state’s southern region while continuing to serve Choctaw Association. “I feel so humbled by the [...]
Easter is a time for celebration for Christians. On this holy occasion, we join in a unique sense of worship in order to have a refreshing reminder that Jesus Christ overcame death through His resurrection power over death itself. That is a cause worthy of celebration. Rarely does Easter fall on the silly holiday called [...]
Spring break often means a chance to travel but for many Baptist Campus Ministries (BCM) students, the travel is tied to a chance to serve and do missions. Reports from BCM groups across the state are beginning to surface while one story from a trip leading into the current spring semester is still on the [...]
Alabamians woke up March 20 to images of their tornado-tracked state, a scene all too familiar. But Roger Willmore said there’s a sight he wishes everyone could see — how Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief (ABDR) teams have descended on his part of the state. “This operation is working like a well-oiled machine,” said Willmore, director [...]
Even after an EF-3 tornado ripped through their college campus, Jacksonville State University (JSU) students elected to remain in Houston to help hurricane survivors rather than returning to assess their own damaged living spaces. It was not the spring break most expected. Then again, perhaps it was, at least in terms of mission and camaraderie. [...]
In times of crisis, trained Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) volunteers play a critical role in meeting the needs in the affected community, including helping first responders cope with the tragedy. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is one of the upcoming trainings scheduled for this spring through Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief and the Alabama Baptist [...]
The night before the passing of Billy Graham I was in Yazoo City, Miss., leading revival services at the First Baptist Church in that historic city. During the invitation, we sang “Just As I Am,”a popular hymn used prominently by the famous evangelist as he preached in evangelistic crusades over the decades of his long [...]
The number one financial question among bivocational pastors is "Can all my income be in housing allowance?” Answer: “Yes, if that is appropriate for your situation.” The average bivocational pastor in Alabama makes about $19,000 per year from their church, so for many, it would be reasonable. Ministers should consider their particular situation as they [...]
Many church members believe that the pastor is self-employed. Many churches treat the pastor as self-employed concerning compensation and taxes. But the truth is that the minister serving a church is self-employed concerning Social Security and Medicare but an employee in every other way. Minister tax experts call this a “dual tax status.” This fact [...]
Trustees of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) approved a $37.5 million Cooperative Program (CP) budget goal for 2019 during its Feb. 2 meeting. It will be allocated at 50–50 percentages between ministries of the Alabama Baptist State Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. The recommendation will go to state convention messengers for [...]