SBC This Week

In this episode, D.J. introduces Joshua Powell, lead pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church and a third-generation Southern Baptist pastor. Joshua shares his journey—from growing up as a pastor’s kid to serving as a missionary in India and now leading in South Carolina. He talks about his passion for encouraging younger pastors and his excitement to preach from 2 Timothy at the conference. Tune in...

The SBC Executive Committee met in Nashville this week. We have comprehensive coverage from the meetings. Plus we talk about the ERLC's initiative to defund Planned Parenthood and a Lifeway Research study on how the church prays for believers in persecution. Brandon and Laura cover all of this and a history moment you don't want to miss.

SBC Executive Committee President Jeff Iorg spoke to the Executive Committee February 17, 2025 in Nashville. He spoke about the ongoing work of sexual abuse response and prevention in the SBC, a new Business and Financial Plan for the SBC and a strategy for dealing with the convention’s financial woes. We bring you his address in a special edition of the podcast.

In this episode of From Lostness to Leadership , host D.J. Horton talks with Jamie Dew, President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, to discuss his profound journey to faith. Jamie shares how his own brokenness led him to Christ and the pivotal mentors who walked alongside him—teaching him how to preach, pray, and engage with Scripture. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about God’s g...

In this episode, Brandon and Laura share the recent appointment of a Texas pastor to lead HUD, give details on the NAMB trustees meeting, discuss a feature on SBC President Clint Pressley, give thanks for the life of California Baptist Fermin Whittaker and remember a busy day in 1961. 

John Mark Harrison, Pastor of First Baptist Concord in Knoxville, Tennessee, originally set out to be a football coach—but God had other plans. While in college, he felt a clear calling to ministry, leading him to start as a student pastor. Through faithful obedience, he followed God’s direction every step of the way, eventually becoming the pastor of First Baptist Concord. In this episode, Pastor...

In this episode, Laura and Brandon highlight the International Mission Board's sending ceremony and trustees meeting, talk about the retirement of Send Relief's Bryant Wright and the passing of SEBTS professor Jim Shaddix, January's Cooperative Program giving and interview Jeff Dalrymple, the new director for sexual abuse response and prevention at the SBC Executive Committee.

In this episode, D.J. Horton sits down with Donna Gaines as she prepares to lead prayer at the upcoming pastors’ conference. A devoted wife, mother, and sister in the Lord, Donna has been an integral part of the Southern Baptist family alongside her husband, Steve Gaines. As they transition into retirement after years of faithful leadership, she shares her journey of life in ministry as a pastor’s...

In this episode Brandon and Laura discuss how Pres. Trump's executive orders impact Southern Baptists; they talk about generosity to the tune of $20 million for storm relief in NC; Lifeway's first trustee meeting of 2025 and more.

Pastor Caleb Turner, Senior Pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church, shares his inspiring journey into ministry, recounts his transition into pastoral leadership following his father, and reflects on the Scripture he’s been assigned for the conference’s opening message. In this episode, Caleb emphasizes the importance of faith and mentorship while exploring the value of community, diversity,...

Donald Trump became the 47th President of the United States this week and a Southern Baptist pastor played a key role on inauguration day, churches celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a rare snowstorm blankets the deep south, Lifeway introduces to help people with dyslexia, and Brandon and Laura talk about the upswing in college athletes speaking about their faith in Christ.

Join SBC President Clint Pressley as he shares reflections on his first year of leadership, his vision for the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting, and his partnership with D.J. Horton, the 2025 Pastors’ Conference President. Hear Clint’s testimony, the rewards of serving as SBC President, and valuable insights from his leadership journey, offering encouragement to pastors and celebrating the impact of Southe...

At least 24 people have been killed and thousands of structures destroyed as California wildfires wreak havoc on the Los Angeles area, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is in its initial phase of response, also in this episode, Laura and Brandon discuss the ERLC's 2025 public policy agenda, WMU's recent meeting outlining Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offering goals, Gateway Seminary's new strateg...

Brandon and Laura talk about the devastating wildfires in California and how churches care for their neighbors; December 2024 Cooperative Program totals are in, Baptist representation in Congress is up, and we hear a clip from an interview between former Pres. Jimmy Carter and Southern Seminary Pres. Albert Mohler and more.

Southern Baptist churches responded quickly to the New Year's Day terror attack in New Orleans, Laura and Brandon how they care for those affected by the tragedy. They also take a look back at 2024 and hear from GuideStone's Mark Dance on planning for a new start.

President-elect Trump apparently softens his position on restricting chemical abortions; The ERLC applauds the Senate as they approve National Defense Authorization Acts; the most important Baptist Press stories of 2024 and the year's most popular.

In this episode, Laura and Brandon discuss how churches are promoting the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the filling of the Jim Shaddix Chair of Expository Preaching at Southeastern Seminary, how New Orleans Seminary is marking 10 years of their Museum of the Bible and Archaeology, EC President Jeff Iorg talks to us about his first six months on the job and we learn about an interesting connectio...

It's the kickoff to the 2024 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering season, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is active an important Supreme Court case, a Lifeway Research study reports on church attendance during the Christmas season and Brandon and Laura share tips from an article on sharing the Gospel during Christmastime.

President-elect Trump selects a former Southern Baptist pastor and chaplain to lead the Veteran's Administration, IMB invites churches to connect with missionaries, NAMB hosts a refreshing gathering with Puerto Rican pastors and Brandon and Laura consider the importance of giving thanks.

Download this episode Subscribe: iTunes  •  Stitcher  •  TuneIn Radio • Google Play • RSS  • Spotify Episode #508 On this week’s podcast we cover the IMB hosting a Sending Celebration in Tennessee, the ERLC sending a policy request letter to the Trump transition team, a roundup of state convention meetings, a new Christmas devotional from Albert Mohler and more. 

Download this episode Subscribe: iTunes  •  Stitcher  •  TuneIn Radio • Google Play • RSS  • Spotify Episode #507 Coverage of the presidential election, abortion-related ballot initiatives and ERLC President Brent Leatherwood’s reaction, October Cooperative Program giving totals, a spotlight on Southern Baptists’ outreach through radio in the 20th Century and more in this week’s episode.

Download this episode Subscribe: iTunes  •  Stitcher  •  TuneIn Radio • Google Play • RSS  • Spotify Episode #506 In this week’s episode we talk about a ballot measure in Missouri that could make it the most pro-abortion state in the country, local pastors and church leaders raising up future pastors, we’re joined by April Bunn from IMB to talk about praying for believers in persecution and much m...

Download this episode Subscribe: iTunes  •  Stitcher  •  TuneIn Radio • Google Play • RSS  • Spotify Episode #505 Southwestern’s trustee report showed a dramatic increase in financial stability and enrollment for the seminary. Also, Shane Pruitt joined Brandon for an interview about Student Baptist Sunday in the SBC. Also, Jonathan and Laura discuss new research from Barna and Lifeway.

Download this episode Subscribe: iTunes  •  Stitcher  •  TuneIn Radio • Google Play • RSS  • Spotify Episode #504 The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering set record totals. In this episode, Brandon and Laura talk with the IMB’s Paul Chitwood and NAMB’s Kevin Ezell. Plus, we hear SBC entity trustee reports including the creation of the Jeff Iorg School of Christia...

Download this episode Subscribe: iTunes  •  Stitcher  •  TuneIn Radio • Google Play • RSS  • Spotify Episode #503 Southern Baptists are continuing to respond to the devastation left by Hurricane Helene as they prepare to help residents of central and southern Florida in response to Hurricane Milton. The IMB launches a two-year missions’ programs for people 55+ and Southwestern Seminary introduces...