Good News for Today

10 Episodes
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By: Baptist Press

Good News for Today shares and spotlights the good God is doing in this world. Through the stories of Baptist Press, we’ll introduce you to Christians and churches who are making an impact for the glory of God.

Hurricane Helene washes ashore; Good News for Today's last broadcast
#714
09/27/2024

Residents of Florida, Georgia and Alabama need your prayers today as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The storm quickly intensified before coming ashore in the Florida panhandle on Thursday afternoon before zipping north into Georgia and Alabama overnight.

Disaster relief crews are on standby as first responders do their work and assessors move into the area. 

Despite the tragedy, it’s a blessing to know that people who care are quick to rush to the help of others facing dark days.

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You are learning every day. You don...


Students pray during See You at the Pole; VP Kamala Harris makes abortion a "centerpiece issue"
#713
09/26/2024

Millions of elementary through college students gathered at flag poles on their campuses yesterday file in the U.S. and 63 other countries to pray in the student-led “See You at the Pole” initiative in its 33rd year.

The early sunrise, clouds and rains variously served as the backdrop for social media photos attesting to student participation.

The event is designed to spark a continual prayer movement and lifestyle change, with resources available through the partner ministry Claim Your Campus, and was preceded in some communities by prayerwalks and student ministry events, organizers said.

Held...


Our words affect our world; Overwhelmed? Look to the empty tomb
#712
09/25/2024

Words are important.

Southwestern Seminary professor Malcolm Yarnell says, “Christians ought to have a leavening influence on their society.” “But when we forget our primary allegiance to Jesus Christ [in favor of] political parties, movements or leaders, we begin to run into trouble.”

An average of Gallup polls in 2023 found that 68 percent of Americans identified with the Christian religion. However, that reflected a consistent drop from the high point of 96 percent in 1956.

Christians are being educated by something, he added. That can be the culture, social media, mainstream media or the church. All have a w...


College football sees dozens of students come to faith; South Carolina learning the joy and sorrow of sending
#711
09/24/2024

In north Georgia close to 50 football players on the team at Shorter University made decisions for Christ this year before the season started, and 17 followed through with believer’s baptism.

Zach Morrison, in his seventh year as head coach, described what happened after players arrived at the school in early August for preseason training and conditioning camp. “We took them to a couple of local churches,” he said, “and about 150 players visited Life Church.”

That Sunday, Morrison recalled, Life Church Pastor Jason Stockton preached and closed with an invitation. Team chaplain Topher Stockton (no relation) said 48 pl...


Churches help those struggling with opioid addiction; Facing the mundane tasks of life
#709
09/23/2024

In 2022, opioid abuse resulted in 82,000 Americans’ deaths, the most ever recorded, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2021, an estimated 2.5 million adults in the U.S. dealt with opioid use disorder, while more than 10 million people misused prescription opioids in 2019, according to the CDC. Many churches felt the impact.

Lifeway Research found around 2 in 3 pastors (64 percent) say a family member of someone in their congregation has been affected by opioid abuse. Around half (51 percent) say a local neighbor they know or a member of their congregation is dealing with opioids, while 45 percent say a...


Pastors try to bring peace to Springfield, Ohio; Disaster relief ongoing in North Carolina
#710
09/20/2024

A group of local and national church leaders are working to help the situation in Springfied, Ohio where a relatively small town has become the focus of the national immigration discussion.

Tensions rose in the city after the Republican presidential ticket spread claims on social media and during the presidential debate that immigrants in Springfield were eating people’s pets. Bomb threats forced the closure of city buildings, schools and hospitals, and made the city the subject of national and international news for a week or more.

Kenny Felix, president of Southern Baptist Convention National Ha...


Summers campers give more than $600K to missions; Medical professionals use skills to reach the nations; Pray for those who need Jesus
#708
09/19/2024

Each summer thousands of elementary, middle and high school students flock to Lifeway summer camps. In addition to games and ice cream machines, those kids love missions.

 

This week, Lifeway President Ben Mandrell presented $678,283.32 to the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board. That’s right students across America gave more than $678-thousand to missions.

 

Lifeway camps have been around for 40 years…and the total missions offerings have exceeded $17 million.

 

Lifeway camps give students the opportunity to hear stories of faithful missionaries and God’s work arou...


Congress weighs appropriations bills; Many pastors see uptick in compensation
#707
09/18/2024

The financial appropriations decision making process is working its way through Congress.

Some of the priorities highlighted by the ERLC in the letter include pro-life issues, religious liberty concerns and opposing taxpayer funding for harmful “gender transition” surgeries.

“As a nation, our values and priorities are most clearly displayed through the allocation of our resources,” ERLC President Brent Leatherwood said in the letter. “It is our desire for those resources to be used in a way that promotes life, religious liberty and the flourishing of all our neighbors. It is in light of these core principles...


Hold fast in an election year; How Gen Z wrestles with its fears
#706
09/17/2024

While the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is in the rearview mirror and may be the only time the presidential candidates take to the debate stage, Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley says believers should recognize the “transcendent policy issues of our time,” which he lists as the sanctity of life and marriage, gender issues and religious liberty.

“Cling tenaciously to a biblical worldview, and don’t be manipulated,” he said. “Pray for God to give us wise and discerning leaders. Trust that God is sovereign and that Christ’s kingdom is not of this world.”

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Recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast; Gen Z leads the way in anxiety; Examining what we worship
#705
09/16/2024

Thousands of residents in New Orleans are finally receiving power after Hurricane Francine made landfall across the Gulf Coast late last week.

Disaster Relief workers from at least Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas are working in Louisiana. Feeding teams, chainsaw teams and chaplains are work.

Thousands of meals are being served as people pick up from the heavy winds and rains.

You can learn how to affect those affected by visiting SendRelief.org.

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Generation Z, the first to grow up with smartphones and tablets, is the most...