GOD SIGHTINGS: OUR BLOG

The 2026 election cycle marked a significant resurgence for the religious left, as progressive Democratic candidates—including high-profile pastors and seminarians—secured major victories in traditionally conservative states like Texas and Kansas. By grounding their campaigns in faith-driven messages of compassion, inclusion, and social justice, these candidates successfully countered personal attacks from right-wing opponents to expand faith representation in Congress. The o

On Sunday, October 25, 2026, we continued our season of discernment with another Town Hall conversation. A large part of our time together was spent looking honestly at our finances (see slide deck HERE): where we have been, where we are today, and what it will take to be sustainable moving forward. We began by looking back. Since we started in June 2018, our first four years were years of building. Giving was steady, and during COVID our spending dropped to about half of wha

Writing from the painful experience of leading communion while silently battling an eating disorder, a pastor sheds light on how sacred physical rituals can become sources of intense anxiety. Despite the prevalence of these illnesses, churches rarely address how eating disorders shape the worship experience or adapt table practices for those who struggle. By expanding pastoral care and rethinking communion accommodations, faith communities can ensure that God's grace remains

Throughout history, emerging technologies—from printed guidebooks to steamships—have transformed how people experience sacred journeys. Today, artificial intelligence represents the next evolution in pilgrimage, serving as a conversational companion that can enrich historical understanding and reflection on ancient trails. As AI tools become increasingly embedded in spiritual travel, pilgrims must balance tech-enabled guidance with the authentic, lived experience of the path.

Despite unpredictable seasonal shifts, autumn reliably brings publishing’s biggest wave of new releases and a spike in reader recommendation requests. Harnessing this September energy, the Lit Hub staff presents a curated list of their favorite books published this season. Explore their top picks to find your next great read. Read the full article HERE This article was originally published in Literary Hub on September 8, 2026, and was written by Emily Temple.

Reflecting on the story of Jesus sleeping through a violent storm, this piece explores rest not as a sign of apathy, but as a vital act of leadership and spiritual faith. By embracing boundaries and trusting in God's providence, leaders can practice rest as essential soul care, avoiding burnout while making space for others to step up and lead. Read the full article HERE This article was originally published in Faith & Leadership on September 15, 2026, and was written by Alet

Seeking comfort from life’s heavy burdens while on a quiet retreat, the author unexpectedly encounters the Holy Spirit in the form of a rare albino squirrel outside a chapel. This brief, surprising moment serves as a powerful reminder that grace and hope do not arrive on demand, but show up unexpectedly in small everyday joys, meaningful connections, and steady reassurances that we are never truly abandoned. Read the full article HERE This article was originally published in

From The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina Week of Prayer for the Beverly Greer Offering for State Missions, September 13-20 Each day this week, we're highlighting the work of one of our Covenant Mission Partners and inviting you to pray with us for their crucial work. CBFSC's Covenant Mission Partners are supported through your generosity to the Beverly Greer Offering for State Missions.

From The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina As he logged onto the Zoom call, we saw gray walls and a door. Bernard* said he was at the university, just finishing an exam, and realized it was time for the call. He did not want to miss talking to us, so he stopped and sat on the floor to visit. Bernard is a refugee from Afghanistan currently attending a university in Pakistan. After applying and receiving refugee status from the United Nations High Commission for

Community Presbyterian Church in Lake City, Colorado, demonstrates "trail magic" by mobilizing nearly 100 volunteers in a tiny town of 432 residents to serve around 1,000 seasonal hikers along the Continental Divide and Colorado Trails. Launched in 2021 by the Rev. Dr. Jason Santos, the church's Trail Hiker Center offers free home-cooked Sunday dinners, daily shuttle rides, foot spas, and volunteer-run laundry, creating a vibrant space of radical hospitality and community for

Throughout her extraordinary life, Dolly Parton bridged divides by grounding her faith in unjudgmental love, a plainspoken "come-as-you-are" spirituality, and a genuine connection to people from all walks of life. Rather than preaching, she put her core beliefs into practice through immense personal philanthropy—funding medical research, disaster relief, local education, and global childhood literacy programs like her Imagination Library. Following her peaceful passing at 80,

According to a recent Pew Research Center analysis, U.S. refugee admissions have dropped sharply during President Donald Trump’s second term, falling to just over 10,000 in the first ten months of fiscal year 2026 under a record-low admissions ceiling. This decline is accompanied by a dramatic shift in demographics, with South African refugees now accounting for nearly all admissions following an executive order prioritizing Afrikaners. Consequently, the United States has fal