Southern Baptist pastor Mike Stone is facing an unimaginable family heartbreak, revealing that his daughter Sarah has entered hospice care at home following what he described as a courageous battle with numerous physical illnesses.
Stone, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia, and a prominent figure within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), shared the devastating update with followers over the weekend, prompting an outpouring of prayers from some of the most recognizable pastors and Christian leaders in the denomination.
"After a courageous battle with numerous physical illnesses, our precious Sarah has entered Hospice Care in our home," Stone wrote.
Despite the painful circumstances, Stone's announcement was filled with expressions of Christian hope.
"Our entire family faces the days ahead with faith in Christ, confidence in the resurrection, and the blessed assurance that our Sovereign God does all things well," he continued.
Sarah's health struggles have previously been discussed publicly by Stone's wife, Andrea, who has shared updates about her daughter's difficult journey. Earlier this year, Andrea said Sarah's body had become weak and that breathing was difficult because of neuromuscular weakness and POTS.
But it is one of Sarah's own past messages that has taken on an especially poignant meaning following the family's latest announcement.
In a Facebook message pinned in February 2025, Sarah reflected on the possibility that God's answer to suffering does not always come in the form people expect.
"Maybe your miracle isn't a healing," she wrote. "Maybe your miracle is God showing you how to have faith, contentment, and joy in spite of your circumstances. That my friend, is even better than a healing."
The words have become particularly moving now as her family surrounds her in hospice care.
News of Sarah's condition quickly rippled throughout the Southern Baptist community, with pastors, theologians and Christian authors publicly rallying around the Stone family.
SBC President and Calvary Church Pastor Willy Rice urged Christians to pray, while Lakepointe Church Pastor Josh Howerton told Stone that he was praying for him and "precious Sarah."
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler also responded, saying that he and his wife, Mary, would be praying for Sarah, Mike, Andrea and their entire family.
Former SBC President Clint Pressley offered prayers that the Lord would remain close to the family, while Founders Ministries President Tom Ascol simply assured Stone, "We are praying, brother!"
Former SBC President J.D. Greear admitted he was "brokenhearted" by the news.
"Can't even fathom," Greear wrote, adding that he was praying for Stone and his family.
Bible teacher Beth Moore similarly offered her prayers, while former SBC President James Merritt said he was "heartbroken" and prayed that the "God of all comfort" would surround the family with grace, mercy and love.
Others joining the wave of support included theologian Owen Strachan, Denny Burk, Center for Baptist Leadership founder William Wolfe, author Megan Basham and Student Leadership University founder Jay Strack.
For Stone, the intensely personal crisis comes after years in the public eye within Southern Baptist life. In addition to past leadership roles within the SBC, including serving as chairman of the denomination's Executive Committee, Stone has twice sought the SBC presidency and has been involved in some highly publicized denominational debates.
But the conversation surrounding him now is far removed from denominational politics.
Past disagreements appear to have been pushed aside as pastors and Christian leaders from across the evangelical world unite around one message: pray for Sarah and the Stone family.
Perhaps the most powerful words surrounding the heartbreaking situation, however, remain Sarah's own.
Long before entering hospice, she had already written publicly about finding faith, contentment and joy even when the miracle someone desperately wants does not arrive in the way expected.
Now, as her family faces what Stone described as "the days ahead," they say they are holding tightly to that same hope - faith in Christ and confidence in the resurrection.
