Willie McLaurin is my friend. However, he doesn’t get a pass from me for lying on his resume. I believe he set the influence of Black Southern Baptists back by two decades or more. If you would have asked me…
Luke Russert looks for his father and finds himself
For years, the name Tim Russert was synonymous with thoughtful political commentary. When the Meet the Press anchor died suddenly of a heart attack in June 2008 — just before Father’s Day — viewers on both sides of the political…
Tabitha Brown believes she’s landed just where God made her to be
Stop into any Target store across America and the name Tabitha Brown may stand out to you. Brown is known to many of her fans and admirers as a health and cooking expert, a motivational speaker, an actress and comedian,…
He turned 65 in a dorm and was inspired to write a book about the Holy Spirit
The end of COVID prompted Jack Levison to think more deeply about the Spirit-filled life. The result is his latest book, a small volume accessible to laity and clergy alike: Seven Secrets of the Spirit-filled Life. As the pandemic slowed,…
Another megachurch leaves the SBC
Another megachurch where a woman has preached has left the Southern Baptist Convention. Elevation Church in Charlotte, N.C., led by Pastor Steven Furtick and his wife, Holly, voluntarily withdrew from the SBC just two weeks after the denomination voted to…
One new book tells kids the story Juneteenth, while another tells adults why Juneteenth matters
When Dorena Williamson was asked to write a children’s book on the importance of Juneteenth, she knew it was a huge task to pull off, not just because of the topic but because of the timeline. This year, our country…
On the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Lecrae stands out as a crossover
As America prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, one artist stands out as a crossover between the secular and the sacred. Lecrae has risen to the forefront in both genres. And the reason for his success may be…
Remembering Pulse nighclub and the power of affirmation
There are some meetings that, when they’re over, you know your life will never be the same. I remember pulling into a church parking lot on a Friday afternoon in September 2016 knowing in my heart I was a fish…
Tamela Mann praises Jesus as she turns out the hits
Even when history was on the line, Tamela Mann was determined not to cry. In this instance, history began with a phone call from her husband, David. “David, who is also my manager, called and said, ‘You’ve broken the record;…