Erin Roach

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) -- Southern Baptists acted in support of sexual abuse survivors, embraced ethnic and gender diversity and rallied around the Great Commission at their annual meeting June 11-12 in Birmingham, Ala. Messengers strengthened their stance against sexual abuse and racism by overwhelmingly approving two amendments to the SBC Constitution specifically stating that sexual abuse and discrimination based on ethnicity are grounds for a church to be deemed "not in friendly cooperation" with the convention.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Many teens in the church today tend to view their faith as "a little Jesus in my pocket," ready to solve their problems, youth ministry expert Richard Ross said. In response, Ross has developed a new study, "Reign: Awakening a Young Generation to King Jesus."

Prayer leaders across Southern Baptist life have a new opportunity to connect through the “Pray SBC” Facebook group.

VANCOUVER, Wash. (BP) -- Ethnic churches nationwide have realized they need to utilize English-language worship services to reach their second and third generations. For some, that has meant starting independent English-speaking churches or, for others, welcoming English speakers as a subgroup of the larger congregation.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Prayer leaders across Southern Baptist life have a new opportunity to connect through "Pray SBC." Launched March 18, Pray SBC is a Facebook group for members to share expertise, ask questions and offer ideas to "foster a culture of Kingdom-focused prayer toward revival and spiritual awakening," according to the group's description. The "C" represents a Southern Baptist Community of churches praying in concert with one another.

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- Imagine a person was just released from prison and wanted to get his life on the right track, and he knew going to church needed to be part of that plan. But because of his criminal record, he was required to stay away from churches. Such a person in Fort Worth, Texas, is able to find help and hope through Freedom Church, a ministry of First Baptist Church in nearby Colleyville. Freedom Church reaches men and women re-entering society from prison by offering weekly worship services, small groups and life skills classes.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (BP) -- Scott Belmore was outside his house, loading some old furniture into his truck with his son and a friend when Alaska experienced one of its most powerful earthquakes in half a century. The men clung to the truck as it bounced on the driveway amid the shaking. Inside the house, Dana Belmore was shaken to the floor in her bedroom and feared for the safety of their young daughter who had been reading on the bottom bunk in her room. The two of them, terrified, were able to reunite and flee the house after the shaking, still not believing what had just happened.

MIRAMAR, Fla. (BP) -- The Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools has announced it will begin an online-based academic competition, Knowledge Quest, for its member schools next spring. Students from third grade through 12th grade can complete test modules in individual core subjects, electives and Bible knowledge, competing with other schools without having to travel, Wesley Scott, executive director of SBACS, told Baptist Press.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) -- The Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf celebrated its 70th annual meeting with nearly 200 people from 20 states at Brentwood Baptist Deaf Church in Tennessee. The theme was "Let go … Follow God" based on Jeremiah 29:11. Speakers for the meeting July 8-12 on the campus of Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn., were Kris Courson, Danny Bice, Steve Dye and Dirk Hill, and worship was led by Joseph Bulgherini.

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (BP) -- First Baptist Church in Dripping Springs was about 20 miles from Austin when it was founded in 1875 in a community of about 200 people. But Austin's vast growth has reached Dripping Springs, and the church is positioned to reach the 35,000 living there now. Dripping Springs' population is projected to double in the next eight years, pastor Matthew Nance said. To address that growth, First Baptist is working to become a multigenerational congregation with emphases on ministry to Hispanic immigrants and on meeting practical needs in the community.