By Al Mohler/President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) — Americans by the millions tuned in to “Downton Abbey” at the beginning of its fourth season, eager to enjoy the continuation of the saga of the Earl and Countess of Grantham and their household. According to press reports, 10.2 million Americans watched the first episode Jan. 5, catching up on developments since the end of the third season, which ended with yet another tragedy, this time the … [Read more...]
Ezell: SBC church planting proceeding ‘pretty well’
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – All church planters are special to us, but the church planting “Class of 2010” gets some additional attention and scrutiny because in that year we began reporting on Southern Baptist church plants in some new ways, Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Missions Board, said recently. “In 2010 Southern Baptist churches planted a total of 943 new churches,” he noted. “Each of those new churches have an SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) ID number which allows us to … [Read more...]
States budget more for Great Commission
Tammi Reed Ledbetter/Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) – Trending among Baptist state convention meetings this year was the decision to send more money to the mission field – a challenge set forth by the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) at its 2010 annual meeting in Orlando. This year more than half of the cooperating state Baptist conventions increased the portion of undesignated Cooperative Program (CP) receipts from local churches … [Read more...]
Challenge of homosexuality
R. Albert Mohler Jr. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – The church’s engagement with the culture involves a host of issues, controversies and decisions – but no issue defines our current cultural crisis as clearly as homosexuality. Some churches and denominations have capitulated to the demands of the homosexual rights movement, and now accept homosexuality as a fully valid lifestyle. Other denominations are tottering on the brink, and without a massive conservative resistance they are almost … [Read more...]
Winter Olympics outreach ready
William Bagsby/International Mission Board Editor’s note: For more information on Southern Baptists’ efforts concerning the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, visit commissionstories.com/sochi-winter-olympics. The site will be updated with stories, photos, videos, prayer requests and more during the Feb. 7-23 Games. SOCHI, Russia (BP) – Will Baptists have a witness at the Winter Olympics in Russia? Will it be safe from terrorists? Will other issues arise? Marc Ira Hooks, one of … [Read more...]
Page: Bright future possible with God
Timothy Sweetman/MBTS communications KANSAS CITY (BP) – Calling his message a “frightening responsibility” because of his desire to speak accurately, while simultaneously being “honoring of our Lord,” Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee, delivered an “State of the SBC” address at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Students, faculty, staff and local church pastors from Missouri, Kansas and the Midwest region gathered in the … [Read more...]
Please pray like never before for revival
Editor’s note: This column is part of the call to prayer issued by Frank S. Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, to pray for revival and spiritual awakening for our churches, our nation and our world. Nashville (BP) – Frank S. Page, president and “chief encouragement officer” of the SBC Executive Committee, has challenged Southern Baptists to continue praying in 2014 “like we’ve never prayed before.” Page views his call to prayer as a “catalyst, a … [Read more...]
ESPN hires Tebow as SEC analyst
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Tim Tebow is returning to football – not as a player, but as an analyst for ESPN. The former University of Florida star and Heisman Trophy winner will make his debut with the network Jan. 6 during pregame coverage of the NCAA national championship game between Auburn and Florida State. Tebow’s main duties will be with the new SEC Network launching in August. He also will serve as a regular contributor on SportsCenter, ESPN Radio and the ESPN’s Heisman Trophy … [Read more...]
Huckabee weighing presidential bid
ERIN ROACH/Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) – Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is considering another run for president in 2016, he said on Fox News during his latest round of defending biblical values. “When people ask me, ‘Are you open to the possibilities?’ the honest answer is yes. Does that mean I’m running? I don’t honestly know,” Huckabee, said on “Fox News Sunday” Dec. 22. “I think there is a lot of time between now and then and, frankly, the Republicans have a strong stable of … [Read more...]
‘Merit vs. depravity’ for Oscar
PHIL BOATWRIGHT/Baptist Press KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) – The 2014 Academy Award nominees should be very grateful that only the technical and artistic merits of their work will be judged. Whatever positive messages may be contained in most, albeit not all, of the likely frontrunners, their themes are eclipsed by noxious and extreme content. In “American Hustle,” for example, a film expected to be nominated as Best Picture, one particular swear word alone is used over 70 times. I know, … [Read more...]
Risking marriage for Jesus
Don Graham/International Mission Board Editor’s note: Mary and John Harper* served in South Asia as Southern Baptist representatives through gifts to the Cooperative Program, which fund the presence and missions outreach of nearly 5,000 Southern Baptist personnel internationally. (*Name changed) CENTRAL ASIA (BP) – John Harper* had just blown it. The Missouri-born Southern Baptist missionary watched as a wave of anger washed over the face of his new friend, Rasheed,* whom he’d just … [Read more...]
HHS Mandate Q&A
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a pair of cases that challenge the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate requiring most private companies’ insurance to provide coverage for contraceptives and abortifacients. The Obama administration asked the high court to review the issue after a federal appeals court in Colorado found in favor of Hobby Lobby, an Oklahoma-based crafts franchise. The court will combine the Hobby Lobby case with lesser-known case involving Conestoga, … [Read more...]
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