In this episode of Undivided Birmingham, Dr. Chris Crain interviews Luke Long, our new BMBA Missions & Ministry Intern.

Luke, a student at Samford University, is currently pursuing a degree in Christian Ministry with a business minor. A native of Trussville, Luke grew up in a large family of ten—eight children, four biological and four adopted. As the third child in the family, Luke’s upbringing was shaped by the lessons of faith, service, and community, values that continue to inspire his calling to ministry.

Ministry runs deep in Luke’s family. His grandfather, James Long, serves as the Homebound Minister at First Baptist Church of Trussville, and his father, Alan Long, transitioned from 25 years of practicing medicine to serving as a Teaching Pastor at First Baptist Church of Trussville. Through their examples, Luke has gained valuable insight into what it means to serve others through the local church. “My parents never pushed a certain vocation on me or my siblings, but they have always been supportive of our callings. It’s all about parents being supporters and cheerleaders for God’s work in their children,” Luke said.

Luke is eager to serve the BMBA in a variety of ways, assisting with tasks that support our churches and their ministries. He looks forward to guest teaching in student ministries and small groups, as well as preaching in churches throughout the association. “I am here to be a sponge and to teach what I have been taught,” he said. As his calendar begins to fill, Luke is enthusiastic about putting his education into practice and investing in the churches of the BMBA.

If you would like to have Luke speak at your church, you may contact him by email at LukeL@BMBAonline.org, or you may call him at (205)790-5448 or at the BMBA office at (205)599-3245.

🎙️ New Episode of the Undivided Birmingham Podcast! 🎙️

In today’s episode, Dr. Rick Lance, Executive Director of the Alabama State Board of Missions, takes us through the rich history of the Cooperative Program as we celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.

Dr. Lance and Dr. Chris Crain also discuss the upcoming Serve Tour, happening in Birmingham on March 20-21, 2026. This powerful, hands-on ministry initiative—modeled after a North American Mission Board (NAMB) template—gives Baptist Associations the opportunity to serve and uplift underserved communities in meaningful ways.

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Rick Lance and the Alabama State Board of Missions at alsbom.org.

📢 Tune in now and get inspired to serve!

In today's podcast of Undivided Birmingham, Dr. Keith Sharp, pastor of Concord Baptist Church in Hueytown, AL speaks on the topic of balancing ministry and family. His message is especially for young people who are just getting started in ministry.

Qualities of a man of God able to hold their life in balance with ministry and family: Always walk with the Lord. He must be front and center in your life Young ministers need to make sure they know how to love God everyday. Out of their love for God, a love for people will grow. Learn to love the people who God has called you to lead. You can't lead them, pastor them, or shepherd them if you don't have a growing love for them.

Time management and the ministry: If you don't make a priority of your family, no one else will.

Set priorities: #1. Your walk with God #2. Your family #3. Your ministry.

In today's Undivided Birmingham podcast, Dr. Chris Crain interviews Dr. Willie Brunetti, founder of The Comfort For Caregivers Seminar which is dedicated to educating and empowering caregivers whose work is vital for the welfare of sick and disabled people. Dr. Brunetti became the caregiver to his father, mother, and mother-in-law all at the same time and all living in the same house with his wife and children. He saw the trauma that the circumstance bought to his family. Later he became the caregiver for his wife who came down with a devastating disease that lasted 15 years until she passed away in 2019. From his experiences in caregiving, a ministry was born. The seminar provides pertinent information that will enrich and support the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of caregivers. The seminar also encourages churches to create care ministries to the caregiver to aid the caregiver in managing the turmoil and stress of their lives.

Dr. Brunetti has travelled thousands of miles and spoken in hundreds of churches leading the Comfort for Caregivers seminar as a way to give spiritual support to those who have become caregivers or who will become caregivers. He is available to speak in your church.

In this episode of Undivided Birmingham, Jeff Hurn of Alabama Baptist Childrens Home shares about the ministry of foster care provided by ABCH.

ABCH was founded in 1891 by Rev. John Stewart as an orphanage after the Civil War left so many children in need of care due to the loss of their parents.

Today, about 6,000 children are placed in foster care with the State through DHR. ABCH steps in to help DHR by connecting with area churches that have families willing to open their homes and offer Christian foster care as a ministry to these children in need.

Learn more at https://www.alabamachild.org/fostercare.

In today's Undivided podcast, Dr. Chris Crain interviews Tim Crist and Ashley Turton of Lifeline Children's Services about CarePortal. CarePortal is a technology platform designed to connect churches and community partners to families in their community. Lifeline offers CarePortal to partner churches for meeting tangible needs and developing opportunities for relationships and gospel conversations with families near them.

Jay Gordon, Minister of Adults and Small Groups at The Church at Brook Hills discusses discipleship, small groups, and how the church can connect people to Christ and each other.

Gary Hollingsworth retired on April 30, 2023, after 47 years in full-time ministry. He had served as SCBC executive director-treasurer since January 13, 2016, based in Columbia. The Alabama native moved to South Carolina from Little Rock, AR, where he was pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. His pastorates have included churches in Kentucky, Virginia, and Alabama. He also served as senior director of cultural evangelism at Southern Baptists’ North American Mission Board from 2005-2007. Now, Gary is part of the Mission Dignity team of Guidestone Financial Resources.