Laura Erlanson

NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptists looked back 100 years to commemorate the adoption of their unifiedgiving plan and their statement of faith. They looked back 15 years to examine the impact of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force. And they are looking forward as several entities are poised to name new leaders in 2026. These are Baptist Press’ selections for the most significant stories of 2025.

WASHINGTON (BP) – A group of faith leaders has sent a letter to President Donald Trump thanking him for his recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).

NASHVILLE (BP) – The Cooperative Program started off strong in the first month of the fiscal year, as receipts came in just over budget.

NASHVILLE (BP) – “Gratitude” and “Graves Into Gardens” singer Brandon Lake won big at last week’s Gospel Music Association Dove Awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

ORLANDO (BP) – Nearly 4,000 rooms across more than two dozen hotels will be available at noon Eastern today (Oct. 6) for booking through the Southern Baptist Convention’s housing office for next year’s SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando.

NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee members addressed referrals from messengers to the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting, heard reports and celebrated the highest Lifeway summer camps’ missions offering in eight years at their fall meeting, Sept. 22-23.

WASHINGTON (BP) – The First Circuit Court of Appeals decided in favor of the Trump Administration Thursday (Sept. 11), allowing a key component of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” to be enforced.

WASHINGTON (BP) – In remarks at the Museum of the Bible during a meeting of his Religious Liberty Commission, President Donald Trump touted his administration’s religious liberty victories, vowed to protect prayer in public schools and announced the donation of his personal Bible to the museum.

WASHINGTON (BP) – The Department of Veterans Affairs appears likely to rescind a Biden-era rule promoting abortion services at VA facilities.

ORLANDO (BP) – While there’s still a little more than a month to go before room nights for the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando go online for booking, attendees can begin viewing their options and making plans now. The list provided at sbcannualmeeting.net/hotels offers something for just about every itinerary and budget.