KENTUCKY |
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Kentucky, officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States. Kentucky borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north, West Virginia to the northeast, Virginia to the east, Tennessee to the south, and Missouri to the west. Its northern border is defined by the Ohio River. Its capital is Frankfort and its largest city is Louisville. As of 2020, the state's population was approximately 4.5 million. Previously part of Virginia, Kentucky was admitted into the Union as the fifteenth state on June 1, 1792. It is known as the "Bluegrass State" in reference to Kentucky bluegrass, a species of grass introduced by European settlers which has long supported the state's thoroughbred horse industry.
The fertile soil in the central and western parts of the state led to the development of large tobacco plantations similar to those in Virginia and North Carolina, which utilized enslaved labor prior to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. Kentucky ranks fifth nationally in goat farming, eight in beef cattle production, and fourteenth in corn production. While Kentucky has been a long-standing center for the tobacco industry, its economy has diversified into non-agricultural sectors including auto manufacturing, energy production, and medicine. Kentucky ranks fourth among US states in the number of automobiles and trucks assembled. It is one of several states considered part of the Upland South. The state is home to the world's longest cave system in Mammoth Cave National Park, the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous United States, and the nation's two largest artificial lakes east of the Mississippi River. Cultural aspects of Kentucky include horse racing, bourbon, moonshine, coal mining, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, Southern cuisine, barbecue, bluegrass music, college basketball, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The fertile soil in the central and western parts of the state led to the development of large tobacco plantations similar to those in Virginia and North Carolina, which utilized enslaved labor prior to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. Kentucky ranks fifth nationally in goat farming, eight in beef cattle production, and fourteenth in corn production. While Kentucky has been a long-standing center for the tobacco industry, its economy has diversified into non-agricultural sectors including auto manufacturing, energy production, and medicine. Kentucky ranks fourth among US states in the number of automobiles and trucks assembled. It is one of several states considered part of the Upland South. The state is home to the world's longest cave system in Mammoth Cave National Park, the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous United States, and the nation's two largest artificial lakes east of the Mississippi River. Cultural aspects of Kentucky include horse racing, bourbon, moonshine, coal mining, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, Southern cuisine, barbecue, bluegrass music, college basketball, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
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Far-right extremists are setting up rural enclaves around the world. We need to counter the threat they pose The idea of “getting away from it all” has long carried romantic connotations. In extremist circles, however, the idea of retreating to the land has been repurposed into a political strategy. It’s one that offers extremist actors a range of advantages. In the United States, the Highland Rim Project was recently announced in Kentucky. The project is a venture capital-backed “aligned community” for right-wing Christians seeking ideological separation and local political influence, marketed as a refuge from society’s “cultural insanity of the broader country.” A similar project in Arkansas, this time specifically labelled as a “whites only” community, has recently established its second enclave and plans to build four more. (The Conversation 10/27/25) READMORE>>>> Of Prophets and Pedants: A “New” Spilt Among Evangelicals? In a recent post, Michael Clary, a pastor in Kentucky, made an incisive statement about the nature of Christian academics in light of the ministry and recent killing of Charlie Kirk. Clary’s claim highlights a seemingly new divide within Evangelical Christianity. However, as I will argue, it is actually an age-old battle within the Church, one that plays out between the pedanticism of an intellectual class and the propheticism of public reformers. First, Clary’s statement warrants a full reproduction here: When I think about many of the Christian leaders I once looked up to, I wonder how many of them are feeling a lot of cognitive dissonance these days. In my seminary and early church planting days, I was taught a model of cultural engagement that emphasized non-offensiveness as a ministry non-negotiable. As I implemented this methodology in my ministry, I found it wholly inadequate for the challenges of real ministry. So I rejected that approach. It took me several years to fully deprogram my ministry instincts and retrain myself to be more bold and outspoken. Then I think of men like Charlie Kirk. He didn’t go to college or seminary. He didn’t build a platform by adopting the tactics of the credentialed experts. He built his platform with guts and grit. If Charlie Kirk had gone to a typical seminary, he likely would have lost his edge. He would have learned to be more careful. He would learned to be more measured. He would have had his prophetic voice educated right out of him. He may have ended up as just another celebrated academic, publishing white papers at ETS, and speaking on the lecture circuit. I’m not against those things. My point is that our institutions produce academics when the need of the hour is more prophets. We need men of courage and conviction these days, but the evangelical leadership that shaped the last generation of pastors trained men to bury their courage. How many men go to seminary and graduate more on fire for Christ? That’s why I think many older Christian leaders are feeling cognitive dissonance these days. The man who arguably had the greatest gospel impact in a generation did not go through their credentialing process, and did the opposite of what they would have trained him to do. How do you make sense of that? And then, I’m disturbed by this thought: how many young men have had their wings clipped by the credentialed class who told them “you can’t offend people if you want to be effective in ministry”? How many men sought training for ministry only to have the leaders they respected train the zeal right out of them? Kirk’s death has awakened the consciences of a generation of young men. They admire his courage, boldness, clarity and zeal. In the aftermath of Kirk’s death, many of these young men are looking for leaders who can sharpen them and direct their zeal. Who do they have to look to? Kirk’s bold voice, testimony to the gospel, massive appeal, and effective platform are a rebuke to the credential class who would have advised him to tone it down so he could play the long game and have a nice career. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still some very courageous voices out there, but many of them are speaking from outside the system, because their bold voice is a threat to the status quo. Going forward, the status quo is not gonna cut it. Everyone senses it. The way forward is more voices in the mold of Charlie Kirk, but the bench is pretty thin of men who can train the next generation of Charlie Kirks. So I find it ironic that God used Charlie Kirk, who did the opposite of everything Christian leaders are taught to do, and ended up building a ministry platform that produced the largest single gospel preaching event in human history. “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.” 1 Cor 1:27 (Anthony Costello 10/11/25) READMORE>>>> |
February 17, 2023: Alabama Baptist reported: Most of you are aware the Feb. 8, 2023, chapel service at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, has yet to end … seven days later. Night and day, people gather for worship and prayer. As a boy, my dad was a seminary student in Louisville and pastored a church in Frankfort, around 30 miles from Asbury. In 1970 revival broke out at this small Christian college. In that chapel service 53 years ago, students began pouring to the altar.
Revival broke out. February 8, 2023: Some students at Asbury University lingered after the usual morning chapel service to pray a little longer, worship together, and bask in the felt presence of God’s peace and love. More students joined in. Hundreds of hours later they were still meeting, and thousands of pilgrims were on their way to Wilmore, Kentucky, to experience a remarkable, ongoing season of spiritual renewal. The university has called it an “outpouring”; the seminary across the street has referred to it as an “awakening”; the internet has picked it up and called it a “revival.” |
Former Kentucky pastor indicted on seven felony charges, including rape
A former Kentucky pastor who police say admitted to having sex with a child is facing numerous felony charges related to sexual abuse. Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Thursday 47-year-old Zachary King, former executive pastor of LexCity Church in Lexington, was indicted this week on seven felony counts, including rape. A Fayette County Grand Jury indicted him on the following charges: One count of first degree rape.
One count of first degree sodomy. One count of unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in a sexual or prohibited activity. One count of unlawful transaction with a minor with a victim under 18. One count of third degree rape. One count of third degree sodomy. One count of first degree sexual abuse.
(WHAS11 8/15/24) Read More>>>>>
A former Kentucky pastor who police say admitted to having sex with a child is facing numerous felony charges related to sexual abuse. Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Thursday 47-year-old Zachary King, former executive pastor of LexCity Church in Lexington, was indicted this week on seven felony counts, including rape. A Fayette County Grand Jury indicted him on the following charges: One count of first degree rape.
One count of first degree sodomy. One count of unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in a sexual or prohibited activity. One count of unlawful transaction with a minor with a victim under 18. One count of third degree rape. One count of third degree sodomy. One count of first degree sexual abuse.
(WHAS11 8/15/24) Read More>>>>>
Ben Mandrell should take humility lessons from Bart Barber
I thought I had seen arrogance in Southern Baptist Convention agency heads in my 62 years of living, but I had not heard from Ben Mandrell until today. His cold-hearted arrogance speaking before the SBC annual meeting today is in a class all by itself. Honestly, I was stunned hearing him speak from the floor of the convention in Indianapolis where a motion was under consideration to censure him and Bart Barber and Al Mohler for signing an amicus brief in a Kentucky case that had nothing to do with the SBC but pitted them and the SBC against an abuse survivor seeking justice. According to Ecclesiastes, there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. This Kentucky case was, at best, a time to remain silent. Because in filing the controversial brief they did, these three SBC leaders gave the appearance of putting the SBC on record seeking to cut off justice for a known abuse survivor. (Baptist News Global 6/12/24) Read More>>>>>
I thought I had seen arrogance in Southern Baptist Convention agency heads in my 62 years of living, but I had not heard from Ben Mandrell until today. His cold-hearted arrogance speaking before the SBC annual meeting today is in a class all by itself. Honestly, I was stunned hearing him speak from the floor of the convention in Indianapolis where a motion was under consideration to censure him and Bart Barber and Al Mohler for signing an amicus brief in a Kentucky case that had nothing to do with the SBC but pitted them and the SBC against an abuse survivor seeking justice. According to Ecclesiastes, there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. This Kentucky case was, at best, a time to remain silent. Because in filing the controversial brief they did, these three SBC leaders gave the appearance of putting the SBC on record seeking to cut off justice for a known abuse survivor. (Baptist News Global 6/12/24) Read More>>>>>
Kentucky bishop dismisses priests who derided novus ordo Mass as ‘irrelevant’
A Kentucky bishop this month announced the dismissal of two priests who he said had repeatedly denigrated the modern form of the holy sacrifice of the Mass in their parish. Covington Bishop John Iffert said in a letter to members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Park Hills, Kentucky, that he had requested the resignation of parish pastor Father Shannon Collins while ordering the removal of parochial vicar Father Sean Kopczynski.
(Daniel Paynes/Catholic News Agency 1/25/24) READ MORE>>>>>
A Kentucky bishop this month announced the dismissal of two priests who he said had repeatedly denigrated the modern form of the holy sacrifice of the Mass in their parish. Covington Bishop John Iffert said in a letter to members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Park Hills, Kentucky, that he had requested the resignation of parish pastor Father Shannon Collins while ordering the removal of parochial vicar Father Sean Kopczynski.
(Daniel Paynes/Catholic News Agency 1/25/24) READ MORE>>>>>
2023 REWIND: Ky. Baptists remained faithful to the Bible, made disciples, baptized believers
The gospel was moving as Kentucky Baptists worked to remain faithful to the Bible in 2023.
Professions of faith, baptisms and attendance were all on the rise seemingly shaking the lingering effects of the 2020 pandemic. Pastors reported larger numbers of baptisms as gospel conversations gained momentum.
Several Kentucky Baptist Convention sponsored events — including the REACH evangelism conference, EQUIP training, the YES Youth Evangelism Summit and Student Worship Camp —recorded record attendance.
(Mark Maynard/Kentucky Today 1/4/24)
READ MORE>>>>>
The gospel was moving as Kentucky Baptists worked to remain faithful to the Bible in 2023.
Professions of faith, baptisms and attendance were all on the rise seemingly shaking the lingering effects of the 2020 pandemic. Pastors reported larger numbers of baptisms as gospel conversations gained momentum.
Several Kentucky Baptist Convention sponsored events — including the REACH evangelism conference, EQUIP training, the YES Youth Evangelism Summit and Student Worship Camp —recorded record attendance.
(Mark Maynard/Kentucky Today 1/4/24)
READ MORE>>>>>
State Baptist leaders describe success in convention remarks
SOMERSET — Kentucky Baptists celebrated their 186th year of working together to advance the gospel during 2023 annual meeting Tuesday at First Baptist Church Somerset. During his report, KBC Executive Director Todd Gray noted that means there have been 186 years of gospel preaching from pulpits of KBC churches, 186 years of community impact by those churches and 186 years of sending missionaries, raising up pastors, starting churches and souls being saved. (Chip Hutcheson/The News Enterprise 11/16/23)
Read More>>>>>
SOMERSET — Kentucky Baptists celebrated their 186th year of working together to advance the gospel during 2023 annual meeting Tuesday at First Baptist Church Somerset. During his report, KBC Executive Director Todd Gray noted that means there have been 186 years of gospel preaching from pulpits of KBC churches, 186 years of community impact by those churches and 186 years of sending missionaries, raising up pastors, starting churches and souls being saved. (Chip Hutcheson/The News Enterprise 11/16/23)
Read More>>>>>
KBC votes to disaffiliate with Fern Creek church
SOMERSET — Messengers representing more than 2,300 churches affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention affirmed a recommendation of the KBC Committee on Credentials to disaffiliate Fern Creek Baptist Church. Fern Creek Baptist was deemed to be not in “friendly cooperation” with the convention in accordance with Article VI of its constitution and bylaws. (Chip Hutcheson/The News Enterprise 11/16/23)
Read More>>>>>
SOMERSET — Messengers representing more than 2,300 churches affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention affirmed a recommendation of the KBC Committee on Credentials to disaffiliate Fern Creek Baptist Church. Fern Creek Baptist was deemed to be not in “friendly cooperation” with the convention in accordance with Article VI of its constitution and bylaws. (Chip Hutcheson/The News Enterprise 11/16/23)
Read More>>>>>
1 in 3 “evangelical” or “born again” Christians supported a right to abortion in Ohio; pro-choice governor wins in red Kentucky
An NBC news exit poll shows that 32% of white “evangelical” or “born again” Christians voted to enshrine the right to an abortion in the Ohio constitution. As expected, 68% of white evangelicals opposed the measure, but I was surprised at just how many evangelicals supported it. The measure passed. Meanwhile, in Kentucky, moderate Democrat and pro-choice Andy Beshear won a second term as governor.
(John Fea/Current 11/7/23)
Read More>>>>>
An NBC news exit poll shows that 32% of white “evangelical” or “born again” Christians voted to enshrine the right to an abortion in the Ohio constitution. As expected, 68% of white evangelicals opposed the measure, but I was surprised at just how many evangelicals supported it. The measure passed. Meanwhile, in Kentucky, moderate Democrat and pro-choice Andy Beshear won a second term as governor.
(John Fea/Current 11/7/23)
Read More>>>>>
Ouster of Saddleback and Fern Creek from SBC over women pastors is affirmed
Delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting affirmed a decision to expel two Southern Baptist churches, including Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, because they employed women as pastors. The churches had appealed to the meeting, the denomination’s ruling body, to be allowed to remain. Both churches were denied by a strong majority of the delegates, known as messengers, in vote outcomes announced Wednesday (June 14). The body affirmed the ouster of Saddleback by a vote of 9,437 to 1,212. The vote went against Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, by 9,700 to 806.
(Religion News 6/4/23) Read More>>>>>
Delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting affirmed a decision to expel two Southern Baptist churches, including Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, because they employed women as pastors. The churches had appealed to the meeting, the denomination’s ruling body, to be allowed to remain. Both churches were denied by a strong majority of the delegates, known as messengers, in vote outcomes announced Wednesday (June 14). The body affirmed the ouster of Saddleback by a vote of 9,437 to 1,212. The vote went against Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, by 9,700 to 806.
(Religion News 6/4/23) Read More>>>>>
June 4, 2023: Kentucky Today: Randy McPheron to be nominated as next KBC president
Randy McPheron, an associational mission strategist who also serves as an itinerant evangelist and has pastored for 25 years, will be nominated as the next president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Randy McPheron, an associational mission strategist who also serves as an itinerant evangelist and has pastored for 25 years, will be nominated as the next president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Feb 28, 2023: Religion News: The Asbury revival is over. What happens now?
On Sunday (Feb. 26), Minneapolis-based evangelist Nick Hall brought an Asbury-inspired revival event to Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, about half an hour from the Christian school’s campus.
Hall is the leader of Pulse, a ministry that aims to bring “Jesus to the next generation” by hosting big events. He attended the Asbury revival in its first week and said he was overwhelmed by what God was doing.
On Sunday (Feb. 26), Minneapolis-based evangelist Nick Hall brought an Asbury-inspired revival event to Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, about half an hour from the Christian school’s campus.
Hall is the leader of Pulse, a ministry that aims to bring “Jesus to the next generation” by hosting big events. He attended the Asbury revival in its first week and said he was overwhelmed by what God was doing.
Feb 23, 2023: Baptist Press: Churches respond to action of Executive Committee
New Faith Mission Ministry in Griffin, Ga.; St. Timothy’s Christian Church in Baltimore, Md.; Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss.; and Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., were deemed to be not in friendly cooperation because of female senior pastors.
New Faith Mission Ministry in Griffin, Ga.; St. Timothy’s Christian Church in Baltimore, Md.; Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss.; and Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., were deemed to be not in friendly cooperation because of female senior pastors.