The Baptist Record - Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 June 17, 2026

BMCU scholarship established to honor ministry and mission legacy of Tom and Jane Sumrall

Tom Sumrall (second from right) receives a plaque commemorating the Blue Mountain Christian University scholarship established in his honor. He is joined by (from left) Andrew Chesteen, pastor of First Baptist Church, New Albany, Barbara McMillin, president of Blue Mountain Christian University, and Michael Baker, pastor of Blue Mountain Baptist Church. (Photo credit: Blue Mountain Christian University)

BMCU scholarship established to honor ministry and mission legacy of Tom and Jane Sumrall

June 17, 2026

NEW ALBANY, Miss. — First Baptist Church, New Albany, and Blue Mountain Baptist Church (formerly Lowrey Memorial Baptist Church), announced the establishment of the Tom…

SIMPLE TRUTH: Not headlines, but definitely highlights

Shawn Parker welcomes the crowd during the Mississippi Baptist Fellowship in Orlando on June 8. (Photo credit: Seth Price)

SIMPLE TRUTH: Not headlines, but definitely highlights

June 16, 2026

Bible Studies for Life: June 21

Bible Studies for Life: June 21

June 16, 2026

Export the Bible: June 21

Export the Bible: June 21

June 16, 2026

BCV&FM wins regional Emmy Award for ‘Continuum of Care’ promo video

BCV&FM wins regional Emmy Award for ‘Continuum of Care’ promo video

June 15, 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.