Faith Archive

Last month, St. Paul United Methodist Church received both a grant and an award.

The church received a $1,000 grant from the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. The funds were part of the Matthew 25 Food Grants, which help support ministries that feed people experiencing hunger.

Navarre United Methodist Church recently held its first inclusive Vacation Bible School. The event was a two-night version of the church’s regular VBS program but designed for people with special needs.

Beyond Sunday Fellowship, a parachurch organization founded earlier this year, helped the church organize the event.

Dr. Willy Rice, senior pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, is the new president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Rice is the seventh Florida pastor to be elected to the position.

According to Baptist Press, Rice was elected with 57% of the vote over South Carolina pastor Josh Powell. Rice was elected during the SBC’s annual conference in Orlando June 9 and 10. During a press conference, Rice said he was humbled and honored to be elected.

With Northwest Florida home to several military installations and a large veteran population, local churches play an important role in serving the military community.

Recently, about 20 faith leaders from churches and ministries in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties visited Hurlburt Field to attend Clergy Day, an event dedicated to helping church leaders better understand the military community, its challenges and its mission.

Being a father is one of the most important roles a man can play in his life and in the lives of others. With Father’s Day approaching, Navarre Press spoke with a pastor and his son about the importance of faith and family.

A former leader of the Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee died May 20. Most Rev. John H. Ricard, SSJ, who served as the fourth bishop of the Diocese, was 86. Ricard served as bishop over Catholic churches in the Florida Panhandle from 1997 to 2011.

Community Life Church is looking to expand its parking lot to accommodate its growing congregation.

Pickleball’s overall popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. According to SFIA Topline Participation Report for 2025, at least 19.8 million Americans played the sport in 2024.

With the gaining popularity, churches are using it to reach people, both in their own congregations and throughout their communities. One church in Navarre, Gathering House, hosts pickleball nights on the last Friday of each month.

East Bay Church celebrated their graduates earlier this month with a special prayer service and ceremony.

Holley Assembly of God played host to a few dozen children Saturday, May 16. The occasion was Royal Ranger Field Day, an annual event for the Assemblies of God boys’ ministry program.

The field day at Holley Assembly brought together boys from across the West Florida District to participate in games and activities such as horseshoes, barrel racing with hobby horses, bead toss, bounce house and face painting.