PHOENIX (BP) -- "Pray! For such a time as this" is the theme for the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 13–14 in Phoenix, anchored by Esther 4:14 and Luke 11:1, SBC President Steve Gaines has announced. Prayer should be the top priority of every Christian, Gaines said in an interview outlining his choice. "The Southern Baptist Convention needs to be a people of prayer," Gaines said in the interview with SBC LIFE, journal of the SBC. "Only then will God send the power … [Read more...]
Journey to pastorate included jail time for Fla. pastor
MIDDLEBURG, Fla. (BP) -- It's not the conventional road to the pastorate. "I wouldn't wish [my] story on anyone, but I wouldn't change anything about it, either," said Adam Wiggins, campus pastor of The Creek, a new campus of First Baptist Church of Orange Park, Fla., which is just outside of Jacksonville. Wiggins' path to the pulpit has been complicated, but it has ultimately landed him on staff with FBC Orange Park leading the church's newest effort to minister to an unreached … [Read more...]
Tennessee man celebrates baptism, birthday, possible record-breaking buck in same week
NASHVILLE (BP) – As his pastor said at Stephen Tucker’s baptism, it had been a good week. First he bagged a 47-point buck that may break the world record for largest antlers ever measured, then it was his birthday and then he followed the Lord in believer’s baptism. Tucker, of Gallatin, Tenn., was baptized Nov. 13 at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., where pastor Bruce Chesser explained Tucker had been a believer for years but had not demonstrated his faith through baptism. … [Read more...]
Jesus’ purported tomb unearthed for study
JERUSALEM (BP) – Archaeologists’ discovery of what may be the original burial bed on which Jesus’ body was laid have been deemed “hugely significant” by a Southern Baptist archaeologist. The burial bed – which has not been studied by archaeologists previously – was unearthed Oct. 28 inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, a site regarded by some as the burial place of Jesus, National Geographic reported. Two days earlier, researchers from the National Technical University of … [Read more...]
Magazine sheds light on single-parent increase
(WNS) – Fifty years ago, only about 8 percent of babies in the United States were born to single women. Today that figure is over 40 percent. Although sociologists point to many reasons for the disturbing trend, a new study just presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, indicates the huge increase of babies born out-of-wedlock may, at least in part, be due to the way in which mainstream media portrays the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Hanna … [Read more...]
Hemingway, Sinatra & the Christian
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) – Ever since I can remember, I have been influenced and mesmerized by the arts. That said, I find it sad when creators such as musicians, writers or filmmakers fail to acknowledge the Creator. It pleased God to grant certain men and women extraordinary artistic ability, even knowing many would use their talents to glorify themselves rather than Him who formed the heavens and the earth. Despite this fact, I have often appreciated the gifts of those who don't seemingly … [Read more...]
IMB taps 5 megacities for global initiative pilot
LONDON (BP) – James Roberts is part of an International Mission Board team in London strategizing a comprehensive missions approach to reach this city of 8.6 million. More than 50 non-indigenous communities, each with 10,000 people or more, have been identified in London, making it truly a global city. “There’s no lack of church buildings in London, but the average congregation is fewer than 20 people,” Roberts noted. More than 300 languages are spoken in London, and 37 percent of the … [Read more...]
Week of Prayer set for Dec. 4-11
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – For 12 years Brian and Becky Harrell have shared the gospel with the Makhuwa Nahara Muslims on the coast of Mozambique. Their efforts in telling gospel stories and training national believers has been effective. But this year they’ve upped their game. “We have made . . . conscious efforts to be more deliberate in our prayers for our people group, and also in encouraging churches back home to be praying,” Becky Harrell says. “Because we know that we cannot bring anyone … [Read more...]
50 new missionaries appointed by IMB
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – Bob and Melanee Gallina invested 18 years in leading The Church at Green Hills in La Habra, Calif. They lived in a comfortable house that was a home base for their children, who are missionaries overseas. After retirement, the couple noted, they planned to serve overseas themselves. But then they felt God prompting them to consider, “Why wait until you retire? Why not now?” Now the church they once led is sending them through the International Mission Board to take the … [Read more...]
IMB celebrates balanced budget
RICHMOND, Va. – Projections for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO) used in the International Mission Board’s (IMB) 2017 budget reflect IMB leadership’s fiscal conservatism, as well as their desire to lay a strong foundation for the mission agency’s future. IMB trustees celebrated a balanced 2017 budget during their Nov. 10-11 board meeting. “I am pleased to share with you that because of generous giving from Southern Baptist churches to the IMB, disciples have been made and … [Read more...]
Telling the truth in a world of utter distrustfulness
Journalists, and particularly Christian journalists, must tell the truth. If one does not tell the truth, one loses credibility. No credibility, no readers. No readers, out of business. However, telling the truth is not enough. Twelve times, the Bible reminds us to not only tell the truth, but to guard the truth and it does so many times and in many ways (Ex. 23:1, Lev. 19:11-16, Lev. 19:35-36; Ps. 82:2-3, Prov. 23:10, Prov. 31:8-9, Rom. 12:9-10, 2 Cor. 12:20, Eph. 4:25, 2 Tim. 3:3, Jas. … [Read more...]
Billy Graham Crusades’ Cliff Barrows dies at 93
PINEVILLE, N.C. (BP) – Clifford Burton "Cliff" Barrows, who served as music director of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for more than 60 years, died Nov. 15 in Pineville, N.C., after a brief illness. He was 93. The Marvin, N.C., resident had traveled the world with Billy Graham since the noted evangelist's first crusade in 1947 in Grand Rapids, Mich., the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) reported. Barrows' contributions to the ministry were immeasurable, Graham said … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- …
- 159
- Next Page »