BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) – As Southern Baptists from across the country make plans for the SBC annual meeting in June, they’re also preparing to engage more than 20,000 homes with the Gospel through Crossover activities. The North American Mission Board and Alabama State Board of Missions will mobilize 400 teams of volunteers to knock on 20,000 doors in the metro Birmingham area on Saturday, June 8, the weekend before the SBC annual meeting. “This year we have a really simplified approach … [Read more...]
African American history illuminates pastor’s life
MESQUITE, Texas (BP) - Terry Turner understands the value of knowing African American history by having seen the importance of discovering his own family's history. Turner, a past president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, began looking into African American history as part of his doctoral research and discovered a connection between his story and the larger story of African Americans. He was introduced to the research of Harvard sociology professor Orlando Patterson who … [Read more...]
Volunteers needed for Crossover
PHOENIX (BP) – The goal of this year’s Crossover is to “Engage Phoenix with the Gospel” through a partnership with Harvest America. North American Mission Board and Arizona Southern Baptist Convention leaders are praying for more than 5,000 salvation decisions through this summer’s Crossover activities prior to the 2017 SBC annual meeting in Phoenix. But for that to happen, they need the help of Southern Baptists to come and serve as volunteers, according to Eddy Pearson, evangelism … [Read more...]
Volunteers needed for Crossover
PHOENIX (BP) – The goal of this year’s Crossover is to “Engage Phoenix with the Gospel” through a partnership with Harvest America. North American Mission Board and Arizona Southern Baptist Convention leaders are praying for more than 5,000 salvation decisions through this summer’s Crossover activities prior to the 2017 SBC annual meeting in Phoenix. But for that to happen, they need the help of Southern Baptists to come and serve as volunteers, according to Eddy Pearson, evangelism … [Read more...]
DR leaders mark 50 years of ministry, eye future
DENTON, Texas (BP) – Southern Baptist Disaster Relief leaders throughout North America met for their annual “Round Table” meeting and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of SBDR. Representatives from nearly all the state Baptist conventions participated in the Jan. 23-27 event at Camp Copass in Denton, Texas. Portions of the week focused on celebrating five decades of ministry efforts, looking at the present state of the ministry and preparing for the future. “Fifty years … [Read more...]
Crossover St. Louis: Hundreds come to faith in Christ
ST. LOUIS (BP) – Southern Baptist volunteers reported more than 350 professions of faith in Jesus Christ during Crossover events throughout metro St. Louis this year. One man who made a decision for Christ had been considering suicide just a few days earlier, said Eloy Rodriquez. Rodriquez, a longtime Crossover volunteer, serves as Hispanic pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Fla. Rodriquez said his team knocked on the door of the man's house and asked if they could pray with … [Read more...]
NAMB to launch Send Relief opportunities
ST. LOUIS (BP) – Southern Baptists attending this year’s SBC annual meeting in St. Louis will learn how their churches can engage local communities with the Gospel by partnering with the North American Mission Board’s new Send Relief initiative. NAMB will officially launch Send Relief during the Send Luncheon held at noon on June 13 at The Dome at America’s Center, former home of the St. Louis Rams. Luncheon attendees will hear stories of how churches throughout North America are meeting … [Read more...]
NAMB planter sure to ‘brag on Jesus’
INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – Three years ago Barry Rager was the pastor of a small Kentucky church. Most of his days were centered on important church business. Among his many duties as a pastor, he prepared sermons, visited sick members and mediated church disputes. All good work. All important work. All Kingdom work. “I was kind of like the coach saying, ‘Hey, reach the people you are with,’ but I wasn’t actually the one doing it,” Rager says. Today, he would tell you his life looks much … [Read more...]
1st Arnold’s Qualls named NAMB rep
ARNOLD – Kenny Qualls, pastor of First Baptist Church of Arnold, will serve as the North American Mission Board’s new ambassador to Southern Baptist pastors in Missouri. Through this new role, he’ll connect with Missouri pastors on behalf of NAMB president Kevin Ezell to encourage and pray with them. A key part of the role will also be to express gratitude to pastors for their churches’ continual partnership in missions and participation in the Cooperative Program and the Annie Armstrong … [Read more...]