top of page
Newsjournal of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan | January 2025 | Volume 69, Number 1


First-Person: Jeff Iorg, a difference maker
Jeff Iorg has been unanimously elected as the new president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. In one way, this is not a surprising...
Rick Lance
Apr 1, 20243 min read


A different day
HARVEY – One would have to be living under a rock somewhere to not realize we are living in a different day. We are living in a day where...
Ron Sego
Apr 1, 20243 min read


Determining the readiness of a church to be revitalized: Key questions to ask
Here is the reality: Many declining churches recognize they are struggling and in need of help. They know things are not looking up and...
Mark Hallock
Apr 1, 20245 min read


Every season matters
SHELBY TOWNSHIP – Don’t you love the first few warm days of spring after the long, cold, and dreary winter? I moved to Michigan from...
Karen Blanchard
Apr 1, 20243 min read


Eclipsing our fears
PLYMOUTH – A total solar eclipse will take place at the Moon's ascending node on Monday, April 8, 2024, visible across North America, and...
Tim Patterson
Apr 1, 20244 min read


Michigan’s diverse family
PLYMOUTH – I am halfway through exploring all of the language groups within our Michigan Baptist Church family, and I am loving every...
Tony Lynn
Apr 1, 20247 min read


The pandemic changed my church
WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Most of our churches changed significantly due to the Covid pandemic. It seemed like everything shifted overnight for...
Garth Leno
Apr 1, 20244 min read


How to know for sure that you will go to heaven when you die
LANSING – It was December of 1971. I had just returned from my tour in Vietnam as an infantry soldier. I had a lot of things on my mind....
David Kemper
Apr 1, 20243 min read


A salvation story
PLYMOUTH – Each person’s story of that journey is distinct but shares the common foundation of our loving God sending His Son to die for...
Jamie Lynn
Apr 1, 20243 min read


A life of sin
DEWITT – When I was growing up, I attended the same church as Nicky Cruz and had the opportunity to hear him share his testimony. For...
Kevin Finkenbinder
Apr 1, 20246 min read


New Valley Church pastor
The Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM) wants to welcome the new pastor and his family to The Valley Church in Saginaw,...
Baptist Beacon
Apr 1, 20241 min read


Reconnect and refresh in this lovely land
ROSCOMMON – Thinking of the Bambi Lake Friends and Alumni Gathering, May 17-19, made me remember this old hymn, Precious Memories. This...
Mickey Gross
Apr 1, 20243 min read


Scientist uses resurrection to lead hundreds to Christ
HOUSTON (BP) – In an unassuming office on the campus of Rice University, you can often find professor James Tour on a Zoom call. Is he...
Laura Erlanson
Apr 1, 20245 min read


Sexuality: God’s design best learned in church, not TikTok
GATLINBURG, TN (BP) – “If you have a boyfriend that wants to have sex (but are) scared to say no and just break up, what do you do?” The...
Art Toalston
Apr 1, 20247 min read


Global missionary partners advance gospel in Colombia
Laura Martinez’s letter to her supporters in Mexico is reminiscent of New Testament letters. Recently, she wrote about adapting quickly...
Tessa Sanchez
Apr 1, 20243 min read


Know Your Context
Culture eats strategy for breakfast. – Peter Drucker. You may be able to rightly divide the word of God. You may lead people, teams and...
Caleb Duncan
Apr 1, 20244 min read


Difference-maker: football recruit using NIL money to support adoptions
EUHARLEE, GA (BP) – It was a hot day in September 2021, and Vanessa McWhorter jostled with a sweaty toddler in the football stands...
Scott Barkley
Apr 1, 20243 min read


First-Person: Intercessory plea for SBC
Southern Baptists, let us not give up on prayer. Despite the monumental issues we face, we must not forget that, in God’s heart, prayer...
Art Toalston
Apr 1, 20243 min read


Chicago church’s weekday service reaches influx of immigrants
CHICAGO (BP) – It started as a weekday worship service to their community, then it exploded as migrants arrived in Chicago. “We’re riding...
Eric Reed
Apr 1, 20243 min read


Ramadan prayer guide available for download
A stab of hunger pain — it’s hours until Iftar, the meal when the fast is broken. A dry, scratchy throat, raspy for a drink of water....
IMB Staff
Mar 4, 20241 min read
bottom of page