Baptist Times News Round-up - 21 January 2026

Welcome to the first Baptist Times News Round-up of 2026, which shares the usual mixture of news and views from our website, and stories of recent baptisms.

Baptisms are one of the features of our Annual Returns, the deadline for which is fast approaching. As Lynn Green says, completing your church's Annual Return helps capture a clear picture of what God is doing across Baptists Together.

They are coming in very well - thank you for taking the time to gather the details. With just one week to go we'd love to get the remaining numbers in. Once you have the information, it should take just a few minutes - for more, including access to helpful guides, click here.

Thank you, and every blessing,

Paul Hobson
Faith and Society Editor/Writer

Please click here for the complete Baptist Times News Round-up 21 January. If you would like to receive it by email, please subscribe by completing the 'Get regular news updates' form below.

The Baptist Times News Round-up is sent on the third Wednesday of every month to all ministers in Baptist Union of GB churches, church secretaries, church treasurers, regional teams and other subscribers. If you would like to receive it by email, please subscribe via the 'Sign up to our newsletter' form below.

Post Tweet

Baptist Times News Round-up - 21 January 2026

A range of news and opinion from across Baptists Together in the form of stories, blogs, features, reviews, baptisms, death notices and obituaries

Christmas resources in response to Christian nationalism

With Tommy Robinson planning a Christmas event in London on 13 Dec, here are some resources from JPIT, the Evangelical Alliance and the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, to help churches respond with wisdom, peace and Christlike love

Response to Asylum Reforms

Statement from the Joint Public Issues Team

Praying for Jamaica and the Caribbean

Following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa across Jamaica and the Caribbean, we continue to hold our sisters and brothers affected by the destruction of the storm in our hearts and in our prayers

The Haven Mother and Baby Home

We are saddened and deeply regret the difficult time many women and children staying at The Haven experienced. We are sorry for this, and that more compassion was not evident in the care received by women at these vulnerable points in their lives.