Shannon Baker – Association of State Baptist Publications

‘Spread the fame of revival to spread the flame of revival,’ Elliff tells editors

June 14, 2022October 21, 2022 by Shannon Baker

By Shannon Baker Listen to audio interview. ANAHEIM – Believing our nation and the Southern Baptist Convention—if things are handled correctly—is on the precipice of revival, revivalist and author Bill Elliff offered ways editors in the Association of State Baptist Publications (ASBP) could prepare to “spread the fame of revival to spread the flame of revival.” Speaking at a dinner gathering on June 13, 2022, at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company during the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Anaheim, California, Elliff shared how he is seeing some of the same signs of revival that he experienced in the …

Long-Time SBC Writer Tapped As Florida Baptist Communications Editor

April 1, 2022October 21, 2022 by Shannon Baker

JACKSONVILLE—Veteran Southern Baptist communicator Margaret Colson will join the Florida Baptist Convention staff as consulting communications editor, effective April 1. In this role, Colson will lead the Florida Baptist Writers’ Network in discovering and developing stories that tell how God is using Florida Baptist churches, their pastors and church members to further His Kingdom in the Sunshine State. She will also report on Convention-related news and feature stories. “Margaret Colson has been involved in telling the Florida Baptist story for many years,” said Tommy Green, executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention. “We are extremely confident she will continue raising the bar of excellence in …

Baptist editors honor Ledbetters at annual gathering

February 25, 2022October 21, 2022 by Shannon Baker

By Jane Rodgers, Southern Baptist TEXAN KEY LARGO, Fla.—Editors at the Feb. 7-10 annual meeting of the Association of State Baptist Publications issued a resolution honoring Gary Ledbetter upon his transition from serving as longtime editor of the Southern Baptist Texan. The resolution acknowledged Ledbetter’s involvement as a “noted editor and writer in Southern Baptist life” for more than 45 years, including 21 as editor of the Texan and communications director for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Other career highlights recognized in the resolution included Ledbetter’s tenure as ASBP president in 2009; serving as Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary vice …

Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist editor celebrates 25 years of service — from Texas

February 23, 2022October 21, 2022 by Shannon Baker

By Michael Smith | The Baptist Paper Many Americans had to adjust to a new normal when they were forced to work from home at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For David Williams, it was nothing new. For 25 years he has been editor of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist newspaper — from Texas. Williams’ first stint with the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention was in 1994 when he served as state paper editor and evangelism/stewardship director, before returning to Texas to become pastor of Flower Mound First Baptist Church. He left that position in 2014 to be director of missions for Trinity River Baptist Association in Liberty, …

‘Together Again’: Baptist editors gather for first in-person workshop in two years

February 23, 2022October 21, 2022 by Shannon Baker

By Trennis Henderson | The Baptist Paper KEY LARGO, Fla.—Highlighting the theme, “Together Again,” the Association of State Baptist Publications held its annual meeting Feb. 7–10 in Key Largo, Florida. It marked the group’s first in-person gathering in two years after the 2021 meeting was moved online due to COVID-19 safety protocols. ASBP, the professional organization of editors and staff of state Baptist news media, is designed to provide professional development, inspire high journalistic standards and build fellowship and mutual support among participants across the nation. ASBP President Brian Hobbs, editor of the Oklahoma Baptist Messenger, presided over the four-day meeting. In his …