The Baptist Record - Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 August 14, 2026

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Adults account for most baptisms in SBC congregations

An adult is baptized at Crossgates Baptist Church in Brandon. In 2025, 33 percent of baptisms in Southern Baptist congregations were adults. (Photo credit: Crossgates Baptist Church)

Adults account for most baptisms in SBC congregations

August 14, 2026

By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — As baptisms in Southern Baptist congregations increase, a growing percentage of those entering the baptismal pools are adults. In…

Brees credits Jesus, pastors in Pro Football Hall of Fame speech

Drew Brees shared about the impact Jesus had on his life during his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech Aug. 8. (Photo credit: ESPN screenshot)

Brees credits Jesus, pastors in Pro Football Hall of Fame speech

August 14, 2026

Send Relief resources churches, partners in Colombian earthquake response

Survivors sift through rubble of a building in Pereira, Colombia, following an Aug. 10 earthquake. (Photo credit: World Central Kitchen via Wikimedia Commons)

Send Relief resources churches, partners in Colombian earthquake response

August 13, 2026

2026 MBC Annual Convention Update: Resolutions submission window to open Sept. 27

2026 MBC Annual Convention Update: Resolutions submission window to open Sept. 27

August 12, 2026

Half a century of hope: First Baptist Jackson’s ESL Ministry marks 50 years of transforming lives

The ESL ministry at First Baptist Church, Jackson, celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. (Photo credit: FBJ)

Half a century of hope: First Baptist Jackson’s ESL Ministry marks 50 years of transforming lives

August 12, 2026

Final claim dismissed
in Johnny Hunt lawsuit
NASHVILLE (BP) — A U.S. district court has once again sided with the Southern Baptist Convention and other defendants in a suit brought by former SBC President Johnny Hunt. Chief District Judge William L. Campbell Jr., of the Middle District of Tennessee issued today (August 12) a final summary judgment on the only remaining claim in the case. Hunt filed the suit against the SBC, its Executive Committee and Guidepost Solutions in March 2023, claiming defamation after he was named in a 2022 report from Guidepost that was based on an investigation into alleged mishandling of sexual abuse claims by the SBC EC. Campbell had dismissed all other claims in the suit on March 31, 2025. The lone remaining claim regarded a 2022 tweet by then-SBC President Bart Barber that mentioned Hunt, who considered the post defamatory. The court’s determination today hinged on whether Hunt was a public figure and whether the tweet was made with actual malice. Campbell decided Hunt was a public figure “during the relevant time” and that there was no evidence of malice.