By Baptist Message staff CANTON, Ohio (LBM) – Former New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees shared about the impact Jesus and pastors had on his life during his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech. Brees, who led the New Orleans Saints to their Super Bowl XLIV championship and shattered all team passing records and multiple NFL records, reflected on how an injury in high school led him to a path to accepting Christ as his Savior. “One of the most life-changing events occurred my junior year of high school,” he said the speech, Aug. 8. “After suffering a major injury, which put my athletic career in jeopardy, my identity was challenged. Up until that point, sports had defined me, and I wasn't sure who I was without it. “Sitting in church on my 17th birthday, Christ came into my heart and changed me forever,” he continued. “I felt protected, connected and directed towards the path that God had for me. He would equip me for the journey, which led me to places I never could have expected.” Brees also thanked pastors who influenced him, including Rob Wilton, who served as pastor with Vintage Church, New Orleans (2008-2017) and was the team chaplain (2010-2024). “Thank you to Pastor Shawn Mitchell, Miles McPherson, Rob Wilton and … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff WASHINGTON (LBM) - Tim Tate, the pastor of Sen. Lindsey Graham, described the late senator as a man grounded and committed to Jesus Christ during his memorial service at the National Cathedral, July 28. “We’ve joined together today to celebrate and I choose the word celebrate because I know where Senator Lindsey Graham is because I know by his profession of faith, he professed Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior,” Tate told the crowd gathered following his death, July 11. “So for that cause, we celebrate.” Tate shared he did not realize when he became pastor with Corinth Baptist Church, Seneca, S.C., 15 years ago that a U.S. senator was a member of his congregation. But as the years passed, he appreciated Graham’s constant encouragement. “Senator Graham was my friend and I tried to be a friend to him,” he said. “We would sit and talk sometimes in my office and sometimes in the living room. I wanted to be a safe place for him. I didn’t ever want to go to him and want a favor or want something because so many wanted him and needed him and he was always there for them. But I just wanted to be his pastor and be afforded me the opportunity to do that.” Tate shared a favorite memory of how Graham … [Read more...]

By Brandon Elrod, NAMB communications BOSTON (NAMB) – A barber’s chair became an avenue for life change when church planting missionary Jacob Ambrose embraced an unexpected opportunity to obey the calling on his life. “It was a really difficult time as we were getting settled into our house and the community,” said Ambrose, who moved from Louisiana to Boston to plant a new church. “I was in a moment of frus­tration dealing with some of those things when I realized I needed a haircut. I just looked up a barber on Google Maps and went to his shop.” Shortly after Ambrose sat down, the man men­tioned God a couple of times. “Up here, people don’t just talk about Jesus or God,” he said. “So, I had to follow up.” The conversation turned to salvation and about the struggle to find a church. “He tells me, ‘I don’t know of a Christian church I can go to,’” Ambrose said. “And he’s cutting my hair. We had just moved to Tewksbury to start the exact church he wants to go to. I said, ‘Bro, you’re not going to believe this.’” His barber has since become one of nine peo­ple Ambrose has baptized since planting Valley Church in partnership with Send Network, the church planting arm of the North American Mission Board. Valley Church … [Read more...]