Editor’s Note: News briefs included information from Baptist Press, Midwestern Seminary Staff, Arizona Baptists Staff and other sources. For more news with the Baptist Messenger, subscribe to the print or digital editions here.
Oklahoma Governor Proclaims April ‘Faith Month’
On March 26, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt proclaimed April 2026 as “Faith Month.” The proclamation acknowledged the significance of April, as it coincides with the seasons of Easter and Passover, highlights the importance of religious liberty and recognizes the vital role that faith has played in shaping Oklahoma’s foundations.
“This is a tremendous victory for faith, religious liberty and the values that make Oklahoma strong,” wrote Joy Howell, Oklahoma State Director for Concerned Women for America.
Concerned Women for America has championed April as “Faith Month” since 2022 to encourage bold, public expressions of faith including acts of kindness, integrity and unwavering hope. These deeds echo Matt. 5:16 which says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
The proclamation encourages Oklahomans to act out these good deeds in April to further contribute to communities through churches, charities, families and public services.
MBTS launches new graduate concentrations
by Midwestern Seminary Staff
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Midwestern Seminary announced the introduction of new concentrations within its Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.) programs, designed to better serve the growing needs of ministry leaders and Christian educators.
The new offerings include a concentration in ministry to women within the D.Ed.Min. program, as well as two concentrations within the Ed.D.: higher education administration and curriculum, design, and learning development. These concentrations provide focused pathways that combine world-class academic training with real-world ministry application, preparing graduates to advance Christian education in a variety of settings.
“I am grateful that we have expanded our concentrations in our Ed.D. and D.Ed.Min. programs,” said President Jason Allen. “In our ever-changing world, we need more competently trained men and women, not less. I am hopeful that these new concentrations will give even more competency to those who are leaders in the field of education.”
Longtime Arizona Southern Baptist editor retires
By Arizona Baptists
PHOENIX, Az. – When Elizabeth Young first began telling the stories of God’s work among Arizona Southern Baptists as a newswriter and journalistic consultant, she was a new college grad grateful the post allowed her an electric typewriter.
Now, after almost 46 years and plenty of changes, Young, currently director of communications for the Arizona Mission Network, plans to retire at the end of June.
“In a way, I can’t believe it,” Young said. “In some ways, it seems like time has gone very fast. … I’m just grateful to have had this opportunity.”
About eight years after starting the job, Young became the editor of the convention’s newspaper, the Baptist Beacon, making her the first female editor of a state Southern Baptist newspaper that published more than monthly.
When Portraits started in 1997, Arizona was one of the first state conventions to pivot from a traditional newspaper format to a feature-style magazine, Young said.
For more information, visit https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/sbc-digest-sebts-installs-chair-of-philosophy-longtime-arizona-editor-retires/
