PHILADELPHIA — Online church attendees read the Bible more than onsite worshipers. Nonbelievers outpace Christians in valuing several pro-social Bible-based behaviors. And Black Americans are more spiritually vibrant than whites and Hispanics.

The American Bible Society ranks those tidbits among the top findings from its 2023 State of the Bible, the 13th installment of the ABS’s intensive survey of Americans’ relationship with Scripture.

“The need for meaningful, life-changing interaction with the Bible in our society is greater than ever,” said ABS Chief Ministry Officer John Plake, “but leaders can maximize their ministry by tuning in to the unique character of each group in their communities.” [Read more…]

Alabama Baptist evangelist Junior Hill speaks at the Senior Adult Evangelism Conference at FBC Birmingham in 2017. Hill died Jan. 3. — Photo by Neisha Roberts

HARTSELLE, Ala. — Junior Hill, a beloved Alabama evangelist whose ministry spanned seven decades, died Jan. 3. He was 87.

A native of Hartselle, Hill began his ministry at age 19. He served as a pastor for 11 years in Alabama and Mississippi before becoming a full-time evangelist in 1967.

Over the course of his ministry, he led more than 1,700 revivals and numerous crusades overseas. He frequently spoke at pastors’ meetings, evangelism conferences, seminaries and state conventions.

Sammy Gilbreath, retired director of the office of evangelism for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, once described Hill as “one of the greatest harvesters in the country today.”

Although his roots were in Alabama, Hill’s popularity spanned the country. From Nashville to Asheville, from Boston to Austin, from Aiken to Macon, the Alabama evangelist was well-known and well-loved.

He was a familiar face to Tennessee Baptists, having preached countless revivals and other speaking engagements throughout his ministry.

Junior Hill — contributed photo to B&R

“Junior Hill was ‘humility on fire,’ ” said Tennessee pastor Mike Dawson. “I’ve known him since our days together at New Orleans Seminary in the 60s, and I’ve never known him to be puffed up or arrogant — he was humility personified. But I’ve also never heard him preach without having the Spirit’s anointing — that powerful, convicting fire from Heaven.”

Danny Sinquefield, Harvest Field One Team Leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said in a social media post that “Junior Hill was every pastor’s friend. To know him was to love him.”

Dawson agreed, saying that Hill’s down-to-earth preaching style appealed to people of all ages. Dawson noted that Hill was especially effective in leading children to the Lord.

“Junior was like John the Baptist: not feeling worthy of serving at Jesus’ feet, yet being called by Jesus ‘a burning and shining light,’ ” said Dawson, former senior pastor at Dalewood Baptist Church, Nashville, and First Baptist Church, Columbia, and current transitional interim pastor at Spring Hill Baptist Church. “I’ll say it again: Junior was truly humility on fire.”

Hill earned a bachelor’s degree from Samford University in Birmingham and a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, who named him Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 1995.

He earned a doctorate from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and was also awarded a doctor of divinity degree from Covington Seminary in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.

He also wrote 21 books, including his autobiography, “They Call Him Junior.”

“There are untold numbers in the Kingdom today due to his personal soul-winning, his encouraging message for others to be faithful sharing their faith and his harvest of souls due to his anointed preaching,” said Gilbreath.

Lifetime award

In 2021, Hill was honored with the inaugural Fred Wolfe Lifetime Pastoral Ministry Award at the Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference, an award given annually since to a pastor who has invested through mentoring, discipling and encouraging other men of God.

“I feel very inadequate for any kind of recognition like that,” said Hill, who at the time was approaching his 70th year in ministry. “I’m just a backwoods preacher; I don’t know much, but I love Jesus.”

Hill is survived by his wife, Carole; son, Mark; daughter, Melanie; and five grandchildren. B&R

Screenshot / Good Morning America

JAPAN — A 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit western Japan on Jan. 1 — several aftershocks have since followed. It is reportedly the most serious and deadliest earthquake since those that hit the country in 2015 and 2016. As many as 55 are confirmed dead while rescue efforts are ongoing; many still remain without cell phone service, water, electric and other utilities.

Coy Webb, crisis response director of  Southern Baptist’s Send Relief stated, “We have partners on the ground assessing the situation in Japan. At this time Send Relief is not responding as our assistance has not been deemed needed.” Send Relief is the compassion ministry of the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board. [Read more…]

Mike Puckett, center, standing with his wife, Carol, shakes the hand of Grassland Heights Baptist Church pastor Rusty Trotter. Puckett was being recognized for his 35 years of service at the church.

FRANKLIN — Mike Puckett, the associate pastor and education director at Grassland Heights Baptist Church, Franklin, could be called the Swiss Army knife of ministry.

For the past three-plus decades, Puckett has happily and gratefully served the Lord in all kinds of ways — ranging from student ministry to worship leader to administrative work and all in between — at Grassland Heights.             

“The call of God on my life, my love for the church and a desire to see the church function effectively is what has kept me coming back,” said Puckett, who was recently honored by the church on his 35th anniversary. “If you can be called to a church, I think that is the case in my life. God called my wife and me to GHBC because this is where he wanted me and my family.”  [Read more…]