Karen Swallow Prior is an evangelical English professor in rural Virginia and a vocal presence in the Southern Baptist Convention. She made national news for questioning the leadership of one of her denomination’s most powerful men.

Alice Marie Johnson served more than 20 years of a life sentence for a first-time, nonviolent drug offense. Johnson, who was part of a congregation that met in prison, was released recently.

Capt. Jose Rondon, a U.S. Army chaplain, believes “there is nothing more exhilarating in life than seeing people come to Christ.” This year, Rondon has experienced quite a bit of exhilaration, with more than 1,400 professions of faith in Christ recorded at Fort Leonard Wood.

A grieving father’s Scripture-laden plea for mercy led to a lenient 180-day jail sentence for the truck driver who killed a missionary family of five in an auto accident last year.

Charles Fuller, a Virginia pastor who chaired the Southern Baptist Convention’s Peace Committee, died July 28 in Roanoke, Va. He was 86.

Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear announced he will form a Sexual Abuse Presidential Study Group in partnership with the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.

David Platt, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board, announced he has initiated two “thorough, outside, independent” investigations into the mission board’s handling of past sexual abuse allegations.

Suzii Paynter, who has led the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship five years as the organization’s executive coordinator, announced July 19 her plans to retire from the role.

J.D. Greear has big intentions as he begins his presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention. He hopes to help the denomination step away from partisan politics and lean more on its bedrock mission of preaching the gospel and saving souls.

A data breach occurred at the International Mission Board that may have exposed personal information of current and former employees, volunteers and applicants.

The International Mission Board knew about allegations against Mark Aderholt more than 10 years before he was arrested  on charges he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, according to police records, emails and an internal investigation from the organization.

Mark Aderholt, a former employee of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and International Mission Board missionary, has been charged in Texas with sexually assaulting a teenager 21 years ago.