The Baptist Record - Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 August 7, 2026

Elementary education students REAP benefits of landmark MC-CPSD partnership

Mississippi Christian University (MC) President Blake Thompson (seated second from right) and Clinton Public School District (CPSD) Superintendent Andy Schoggin (seated second from left) sign the Rising Educator and Arrow Partnership (REAP) agreement on July 30 at Clinton’s Northside Elementary School. (Photo credit: MC)

Elementary education students REAP benefits of landmark MC-CPSD partnership

August 7, 2026

By Bruce Coleman CLINTON, Miss. — A new institutional partnership between Mississippi Christian University (MC) and the Clinton Public School District (CPSD) provides senior elementary…

GuideStone warns members about growing ‘Phantom Hacker’ scam

GuideStone warns members about growing ‘Phantom Hacker’ scam

August 6, 2026

MAGNOLIA MINDS: His ways are not our ways, but not how you think

Exiles return from Babylon

MAGNOLIA MINDS: His ways are not our ways, but not how you think

August 4, 2026

Explore the Bible: August 9

Explore the Bible: August 9

August 4, 2026

Bible Studies for Life: August 9

Bible Studies for Life: August 9

August 4, 2026

Tennessee pastor, Sunday
School leader Allan Taylor dies
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Allan Taylor, well-known author and associate pastor of First Baptist Church Concord in Knoxville, died July 28 following a stroke. Taylor, 71, is best known among Southern Baptists for his writing and teaching on the importance of a strong Sunday School and best practices for churches trying to build one. He wrote or cowrote several books on that theme, including 2003’s “The Six Core Values of Sunday School.”bTaylor’s 2009 book “Sunday School in HD” was published by Lifeway Christian Resources. Taylor joined the staff of Lifeway in 2015, where he served as director of church education ministry until 2019. “Allan Taylor gave his life to the conviction that the local church’s Sunday School is not a relic of the past – it is one of God’s most strategic tools for reaching people and growing disciples,” said Ken Braddy, current director of Sunday School for Lifeway and one of Taylor’s coauthors. “Over more than four decades of faithful ministry, Allan’s books and video series about group ministry equipped thousands of teachers and leaders to serve with greater faithfulness and effectiveness.