The Baptist Record - Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 August 22, 2026

BMCU recognizes Meeks for a lifetime of faithful ministry and academic excellence

Dr. Ronald Meeks provides months’ worth of sermonic approaches to preaching and teaching Jeremiah to the participants of the 2026 Preaching Conference on April 14 at Garaywa Camp and Conference Center in Clinton. (Photo credit: Bart Lambright)

BMCU recognizes Meeks for a lifetime of faithful ministry and academic excellence

August 22, 2026

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. — Blue Mountain Christian University proudly recognizes Dr. Ronald T. Meeks, Dean of the College of Christian Studies and Worship Arts, Chair…

Hattiesburg CJC program celebrates 25 years of community impact

Volunteers with RISE earn Adult Reading and Writing Teacher Training certificates at the State Literacy Missions and Christian Job Corps Conference held at Garaywa Camp & Conference Center July 31-August 1. (Photo credit: RISE)

Hattiesburg CJC program celebrates 25 years of community impact

August 19, 2026

U.S. circuit court upholds block on immigration arrests at certain houses of worship

(Photo credit: shutterstock.com/Rebekah Zemansky)

U.S. circuit court upholds block on immigration arrests at certain houses of worship

August 19, 2026

Bible Studies for Life: August 23

Bible Studies for Life: August 23

August 19, 2026

Explore the Bible: August 23

Explore the Bible: August 23

August 19, 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.