By Jeff Herring, Executive Editor • Baptist Trumpet
If you’ve ever paused to pray for a missionary after reading a report in the Baptist Trumpet…
If you’ve ever read an obituary and thanked God for a life of faithful service…
If you’ve ever discovered a ministry you didn’t know existed…
If you’ve ever been reminded that your church is part of something bigger…
Then you already understand what the Baptist Trumpet does.
It connects you to the mission.
Every week, I’m reminded why that connection matters. As I read missionary updates, edit stories of church ministry, and prepare each issue, I see how God is at work across our association. Those stories are more than information. They are invitations — invitations to pray, to encourage, to engage, and sometimes to act.
For more than 85 years, the Baptist Trumpet has served as Your Connection to the Mission — keeping God’s people informed, inspired, and involved in what He is doing through our churches, ministries, and shared associational work.
Paul thanked God for the believers at Philippi for their “partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Phil. 1:3-5). Partnership requires more than proximity. It requires awareness. It requires engagement. It requires commitment.
That is the heart behind Special Emphasis 2026. In the coming days, packets will arrive at our churches with information and promotional flyers to help promote this emphasis. My prayer is that these resources will not just be set aside, but used as tools to strengthen the connection our people have to the mission we share. Additional digital resources, including promotional videos and graphics, are available at BaptistTrumpet.com/SE2026 for easy download and sharing.
This year’s theme is From Connection to Commitment. It’s more than a slogan. It’s a question I’ve been asking myself.
If we value staying connected to the mission we share, what does commitment look like?
For some, it begins with prayer — intentionally praying for the pastors, missionaries, and churches we read about. For others, it means encouraging greater engagement in associational life — reading, attending meetings, participating. And for some, it will include a Special Emphasis gift.
Our 2026 goal is $15,000, designated for digital expansion, software, and equipment upgrades. These improvements will help us strengthen our digital reach while continuing to serve those who faithfully depend on the printed paper each week.
We are not replacing what has worked. We are preparing for what is coming.
Younger generations engage differently than previous ones. If we are going to continue telling the story of what God is doing through our churches, we must steward the tools that allow that story to be seen and heard — without losing the trusted foundation that has served our association for decades.
As Executive Editor, I feel the responsibility of ensuring this ministry remains strong — not just for today, but for the next generation. I want my children, and yours, to know the stories of faithfulness happening across our association. I want them to see clearly that their church is part of something bigger than one congregation in one community.
So here is my personal challenge — not only to pastors, but to every one of us who loves the Lord and His church.
If you serve in any capacity — teaching a class, leading a ministry, praying faithfully from your seat each Sunday, supporting missions, encouraging your pastor, or simply trying to be faithful where God has placed you — you are part of this shared work.
Don’t let connection stop at awareness.
When you read a missionary report, pause and pray.
When you see a need, respond.
When you recognize the value of staying connected to what God is doing among our churches, act on it.
Connection becomes commitment when we choose to participate.
My prayer is that Special Emphasis 2026 will not simply meet a financial goal, but will deepen our shared partnership in the gospel — strengthening the bonds between our churches and helping ensure the next generation remains connected to the mission we share.
May the Lord use this year’s emphasis to move all of us — pastors and laymen, leaders and members alike — from connection to commitment, and from commitment to faithful, enduring partnership in the gospel.
