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A Love Story Worth Telling
Lord, your faithful love reaches to heaven, your faithfulness to the clouds. God your faithful love is so valuable, that people take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:5;7 HCSB. He was 21 and fresh out of the military, having served his country in the Panama Canal during WWII. She, his sweetheart, was Continue reading
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The Dumbing Down of Church Membership: An Emerging Crisis in the Modern Day Church
In an effort to receive new members, many struggling churches in America have neglected the Biblical and historical model of what it means to be a member of a local body of believers. Entrance into church membership ought to be covenantal, restrictive, and worthy of careful discernment. If a church becomes desperate to receive new Continue reading
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Heaven and Honky-Tonks: The Theology of Country Music
When I was 16 years old, in the days of hair bands and English rock ballads, I was given a cassette tape that changed my music preferences forever. Though I don’t remember who gave it to me, Randy Travis’ legendary, Always and Forever album found its way into the tape deck of my 1985 Dodge Continue reading
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Samford’s Ministry Training Institute
Continued learning is a critical component of disciple making, ministry longevity, and a sustained joy and satisfaction in serving the Lord. Samford MTI has numerous options for Christians and church leaders to grow in their knowledge of God’s Word, and their effectiveness in serving. With 38 locations in Tennessee, Alabama and Florida along with online Continue reading
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The Lost Virtue of Humility
“Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach than humility.” –Johnathan Edwards. The greatest influencers on my life share one common trait, humility. Pastor T.A. Duke, or as most knew him “Brother Buck,” embodied humility in a way that few ever attain. In June of 1998 he and I travelled together to Continue reading
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Friendly Fire in the SBC: A Call to Unity
There were many tragic events during the years of the Second World War, but perhaps one of the most troubling occurred on July 25, 1944. As the Normandy campaign began with the historic beach landings of D-Day, massive allied bombing campaigns ensued clearing the way for Operation Overlord. Around 3,000 allied planes took flight that Continue reading
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The Least Prayed Prayer and Satan’s Most Consistent Lie
I have always been humbled by the story of Baptist missionary William “Bill” Wallace. The son of a physician in rural Tennessee, Bill was more interested in auto mechanics than going to the foreign mission field. On a hot summer July afternoon as he was in the garage trying to get an old car Continue reading
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Finding Rest in a Restless World
So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Hebrews 4: 9-10. (ESV) It is overtly obvious to me and likely you as well, that this world is becoming increasingly unsettled. As a result, we Continue reading
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Eventually, We Must Come Back to Church
The Corona Virus global pandemic has disrupted every aspect of “normal” life for people all over the world. Economic problems have overwhelmed some families as businesses have suffered and jobs have been cut. And of course, the tragic loss of so many people; way too many. I have personally ministered to families who have lost Continue reading
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Does the Bible contain errors?
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of souls and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable Continue reading
About Me
I have been in ministry for 31 years serving in various capacities including senior pastor, youth pastor, education, and associate pastor. I serve at Samford University as Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the Ministry Training Institute. I am co-author of the book, Cultivate Disciple Making and my new book, Repairing the Missional Breach, will be released this summer. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Samford, a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology from the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. My D.Min project was in the area of church health and revitalization. I earned my Ph.D. from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. My dissertation title, An Analysis and Critique of Disciple Making Within Ecclesial Movements in the United States, 1970-2020, With a View Toward Implementing a Faithful New Testament Missio Ecclesia.
Dr Kevin Blackwell 