CBF Moderator

08/19/2026

"Today’s decision is a powerful reaffirmation of the values that have defined the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship from our beginning. We remain steadfast in our commitment to religious liberty, local church autonomy and the clear separation of church and state....While our work continues, we celebrate this important victory as a testament to the bold faith that rises from freedom rather than coercion.” - Paul Baxley, CBF Executive Coordinator

"CBF looks forward to continuing to defend religious freedom as we seek permanent protection for our partner congregations.” –CBF Director of Advocacy Jennifer Hawks

Today the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld a preliminary injunction that protects CBF churches from unbridled immigration enforcement activity. CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley celebrated today’s ruling:

“Today’s decision is a powerful reaffirmation of the values that have defined the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship from our beginning. We remain steadfast in our commitment to religious liberty, local church autonomy and the clear separation of church and state. For decades, our congregations have faithfully engaged in ministry among immigrants and refugees, offering a bold and courageous witness to the remarkable and relentless love of Christ. We give thanks that the court has preserved these protections while the case moves forward, allowing our congregations to worship and minister freely. While our work continues, we celebrate this important victory as a testament to the bold faith that rises from freedom rather than coercion.”

Learn more about the ruling and find CBF Advocacy resources to help congregations understand their rights and serve their immigrant neighbors: https://cbf.net/cbf-injunction-upheld-by-fourth-circuit/

08/18/2026

Want to spend your summer learning, serving and growing in ministry? Learn more about StudentServe and explore internship opportunities for next summer. Applications are due Sept. 10! 👇
https://cbf.net/global-missions/student-serve/

🙌 From leading Bible study to helping care for the church’s facilities, this summer was full of lessons in ministry for StudentServe intern Garrett Carney.

As the College Ministry and Facilities Intern at First Baptist Church Jefferson City, Missouri, Carney discovered that serving a church means more than what happens on Sunday morning. It can look like planning events, building relationships and teaching Scripture—but it can also mean painting, making repairs and helping create a welcoming space for the church community.

This summer offered a new perspective on ministry, leadership and the behind-the-scenes work that helps a church welcome and serve its community.

Find Carney's reflection here. 👉 https://cbf.net/behind-the-scenes-of-ministry/

Want to spend your summer learning, serving and growing in ministry? Learn more about StudentServe and explore internship opportunities for next summer. Applications are due Sept. 10! 👇
https://cbf.net/global-missions/student-serve/

08/12/2026

The CBF MODERATOR newsfeed is filled with pictures of congregations serving their communities and their world! This month we’ve witnessed many congregations packing and praying over backpacks as they are prepared for community distribution.
It really is meaningful for a child to have her own brand new school supplies to take out of her new backpack to place in her desk.
Thank you, Fellowship churches, for sharing your love. ~debbie, former moderator

08/11/2026

Need a Catch Up Sunday offering? I think if you walked around your church campus and saw these you'd know and remember Catch Up Sunday! Surely I'm not the only one who thinks this is clever! ~debbie, former moderator

Mark your calendars for September 13!

08/11/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.

Maybe you've seen this post in your newsfeed. Have you been able to read it? The book recommendations are on point and conversation starters for kids are easy to understand. It's worth your time. ~debbie, former moderator

By Ellen Sechrest, CBF Director of Mission Engagement As the new school year begins, we want to offer some suggested readings, ways to meet new friends that may be new...

07/30/2026

Children and adults are preparing for a new school year. As your congregation prays for them in their new places for a new year, consider using this Back-to-School Litany to bless and send them. ~debbie, former moderator

🍎📚 As a new school year begins, churches have an opportunity to surround students, teachers, school staff and families with prayer and encouragement.

Rev. Leigh Anne Armstrong has created a Back-to-School Litany to help congregations mark this important season of transition. This resource offers a meaningful way to bless those heading back to classrooms with the love and support of their faith community.

Read and download the litany below:

https://fellowshiphall.substack.com/p/words-for-worship-back-to-school 🎒✏️

07/30/2026

Church property is versatile. Some churches host ESL classes, others house counseling ministries, a few may offer space for tutoring, and yet others use their property to grow food gardens.
What are ways your church property is used? Maybe you'll share an idea another congregation could also use and they've just not thought about it yet. Or, they can apply for a Ministries Council grant to fund a new community ministry! Let's hear what you know about! ~debbie, former moderator

07/30/2026

Familia -CBF Latino Network - are you familiar? Do you think you need to speak Spanish to be a part? Listen to our friend Ruben and learn more! ~debbie, former moderator

07/28/2026

Would your congregation benefit from a grant to strengthen existing ministries or launch new initiatives to foster meaningful relationships, address community needs, and reflect God’s love in tangible ways?
If you are nodding "Yes" then you need to know about this CBF Grant available to you.

CBF Ministries Council Grants The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s grant cycle seeks to support congregations that aspire to be a bold presence in their communities. Through these grants, churches can strengthen existing ministries or launch new initiatives that foster meaningful relationships, ad...

06/26/2026

Pray for Venezuela.

CBF Leaders are actively reaching out to our local partners on the ground to discern the most meaningful and effective ways to walk alongside the churches, their congregations, and the broader communities affected.

The following is a message from CBF Globa Missions Coordinator Rev. Laura Ayala. As images and reports of devastation reach us from Venezuela, our hearts are heavy — and our...