The Baptist Paper

07/10/2025

More on how to pray for relief efforts in Texas...

While immediate needs are being met by Baptist Disaster Relief teams in central Texas, some clean-up efforts in areas like Kerrville may be on hold another

07/10/2025

Until early July, I was either a chaplain or a journalist and not at the same time. All that changed July 5 when we got the news about little girls being swept away by the water in central Texas, and I knew their stories had to be told. They needed a storyteller.

Along with the little girls were firefighters and other first responders fighting a raging river trying to save them. I knew their return would come with images and experiences people should not endure. They would need a fire chaplain.

It immediately became clear — both were my assignment, and I knew what I would be there for.

—Marc Hooks, photojournalist correspondent of The Baptist Paper and The Alabama Baptist newspaper

Not only am I a journalist, but also a Baptist journalist. And I have spent the better part of my career with people, hearing their stories and sharing what God is doing in the world around us.

07/09/2025

Marc Hooks wraps up his on-site coverage for The Baptist Paper and The Alabama Baptist in Kerrville, Texas. "I have been moved," he shares as he processes the depth of the tragedy on the banks of the Guadalupe River. Along with updates on the current recovery situation, Marc also notes moments of hope amid the devastation ...

07/09/2025

Sissy Goff, executive director of Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville and co-host of the Raising Boys and Girls podcast, offers advice for parents and others to help children navigate grief following the Texas flooding disaster.

07/09/2025

Continue to pray for central Texas flood response and those impacted...

As of Wednesday morning (July 9), the latest death toll from the horrific flash flooding in Central Texas had risen at least 119, with at least 150 people still missing, mostly in Kerr County, according to the latest media reports.

07/09/2025

Ray Rodriguez from Jasper, Texas, shares about some of what is taking place with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief efforts in Kerrville ...

07/08/2025

Texans on Mission (formerly known as Texas Baptist Men) and the Southern Baptists of Texas Disaster Relief teams are set up and ministering in Kerrville ...

07/08/2025

Cowboy Dave shares with our photojournalist correspondent Marc Hooks about his "first impactor" ministry role. He drove from Ohio to Texas to help the broken hearted ...

07/08/2025

More from Marc Hooks' interview with a local man in Kerr County.

07/08/2025

Latest news from Lifeway...

The pastor search committee at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, has unanimously recommended that Ben Mandrell, CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources become the church’s next senior pastor.

07/08/2025

While on assignment, Marc Ira Hooks put down his camera to pray for a local man, who is searching for missing friends and family.

"It breaks my heart," he said. "I've lived here my entire life. This is my home and I don't know what to call this place anymore. It hurts. We just got to rebuild."

07/08/2025

Kerrville-area resident Ashton Bolton shares with our photojournalist correspondent Marc Hooks about his efforts to assist in recovery efforts yesterday, July 7, (some content may be difficult to hear) ...