RIO DE JANEIRO (BP) – In Sarah Scherer’s competitions, the slightest movement – even an errant breath – can be the difference between winning and losing. It’s understandable that such circumstances can cause times of nervousness and tension during a shooting competition. That’s why the Olympic shooter a few months ago decided to start reciting the Lord’s Prayer to herself when the pressure is on. “I realized I do that in life,” Scherer told Baptist Press. “I might as well do that when I’m … [Read more...]
Much ventured, gained by Ariz. church planter
KINGMAN, Ariz. (BP) – The idea of starting over is ominous: driving off, developing new friends and breaking the barriers of the unknown, all with risk. Meet Tommy Thomas, North American Mission Board church planting catalyst in northern Arizona. He has turned starting over into an art form. Thomas repeatedly risks everything: reputation, safety, finances and the future. In remote rural life, there’s another risk – a stint in irrelevance if he fails. In a nation where urban ministry … [Read more...]
Changing genders isn’t morally wrong, Americans say in poll
NASHVILLE (BP) – Most Americans see nothing morally wrong with gender change, a study released July 14 shows. Six in 10 Americans don’t think it’s wrong for people to identify with a gender different from their birth sex, according to a LifeWay Research survey conducted Sept. 14-28, 2015. And more than half don’t think it’s wrong to switch genders by taking hormones or having surgery. The findings indicate most Americans don’t see moral significance in being born male or female, said … [Read more...]
Wisdom-Martin elected executive director of WMU
Article by Julie Walters BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) – Sandra Wisdom-Martin was unanimously elected executive director/treasurer of national Woman's Missionary Union by its executive board during a special called meeting, July 29-30, in Birmingham, Ala. Wisdom-Martin, who has served as executive director of WMU of Texas, succeeds Wanda Lee. Lee has served as executive director of the 128-year-old missions organization for the past 16 years. Wisdom-Martin will begin her new role on Oct. 15. … [Read more...]
Affton replant reclaims its community
Article by Karen L. Willoughby AFFTON, Mo. (BP) – An interim pastor told the dwindling, aging congregation he was to help "transition," that First Baptist Church of Affton was on its death journey. He showed them the statistics, demographics, and physically less-able status of members mostly in their 70s and beyond, and, "We told him we weren't just going to roll over and play dead," said Bill Wright, 72 and chairman of the deacons. But the church did die -- intentionally -- and on … [Read more...]
Strachan resigns as CBMW president
KANSAS CITY (BP) – Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Owen Strachan has announced his resignation as president of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, citing a need “to step back” from “filling two vocational roles” simultaneously. A theological debate this summer regarding the relationship between God the Father and God the Son – a debate that has included criticism of CBMW – “played no part” in Strachan’s decision to resign, he told Baptist Press in an email. “I … [Read more...]
Hot app Pokémon Go delivers evangelistic opportunities
SCOTT BARKLEY & TOBIN PERRY/Baptist Press DULUTH, Ga. (BP) – Kevin Smith and others noticed visitors in the parking lot of the Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center. While none made it to the front door, it wasn’t for lack of hospitality from Georgia Baptist Mission Board staff. The visitors may have arrived for Pikachu, Charmander, Squirtle or some other resident of the Pokémon universe. The Pokémon Go mobile game, released earlier this month, has introduced the tiny … [Read more...]
House protects rights of pro-lifers
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. House of Representatives approved July 13 a bill to protect the conscience rights of individuals and institutions that refuse to be involved in abortion. The House voted 245-182 almost totally along party lines for the Conscience Protection Act, which bars the government from discriminating against health-care providers with objections to participating in or providing coverage for abortion. The Senate has yet to vote on the legislation. Pro-life and religious … [Read more...]
Pro-life efforts continue 1 year after release of PPFA videos
WASHINGTON (BP) – Planned Parenthood remains a target of a Capitol Hill investigation but retains its federal funding a year after undercover video first revealed the abortion giant’s trade in baby body parts. A special congressional panel issued an interim update July 14 on the one-year anniversary of the release of the first video showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of organs from aborted children. The series of secretly recorded videos featured Planned Parenthood … [Read more...]
CP 5.22% above projection
NASHVILLE (BP) – Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist Convention national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are 5.22 percent above the year-to-date SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget projection, and are 2.88 percent above contributions received during the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and CEO Frank S. Page. The year-to-date total represents money received by the … [Read more...]
Heritage Baptist displays CP’s eternal impact
MONROE, Mich. (BP) – Churches, such as Heritage Baptist Church, talk frequently about the eternal difference the Cooperative Program makes in the lives of individuals worldwide. CP fuels a national pastor in Uganda – who first heard of God’s love from an International Mission Board missionary – as he travels from village to village, spreading God’s story. CP fuels the North American Mission Board church planter in Massachusetts who tells a 12-year-old boy who has never heard the name Jesus … [Read more...]
Cubans make disciples in Ecuador
MONTALVO, Ecuador (BP) – The first Cuban Baptist international missionary couple under the Western Cuba Baptist Convention’s Cubans to the Nations initiative has started an evangelical Bible study in an area where there had been none. The missions theme of the convention, “Christ’s disciples making disciples,” has taken root in South America. About two years ago, International Mission Board missionary Johnny Maust began arranging for partnering mission teams from the U.S. to have lunch at … [Read more...]
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