Missionaries to Muslims often report resistance to the gospel message – not because Muslims reject Jesus as a great prophet, but because the Qur’an denies the doctrines of original sin and the atonement. The idea of natural-born sinners runs counter to the Islamic belief that man is basically good but ignorant of Allah’s will. This may be overcome by repeating the shahada – “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” – and by embracing the five pillars of Islam. In … [Read more...]
Baptists poised to seize moment in S. Sudan
JUBA, South Sudan (BP) – While United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon alluded to “a new window of opportunity” for peace in war-torn and famine-stricken South Sudan, one missionary there said “the window is small” for sharing the Gospel in the world’s youngest nation. Ban was speaking Sept. 29 at a high-level meeting of the U.N. as part of its General Assembly debates, which included leaders from around the world. Ban said it is “a pivotal moment” for the country of South … [Read more...]
Floyd makes multi-language appeal to SBC St. Louis
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (BP) – Ronnie Floyd, in just over 3 and a half minutes, speaks volumes about ethnic inclusiveness within the Southern Baptist Convention. Floyd speaks in English and, through a translator’s voice, in Spanish and Korean in a new video to invite Southern Baptists to the SBC annual meeting next June in St. Louis. More than 3,200 Hispanic churches and church-type missions are among the 40,700-plus Southern Baptist congregations across the U.S. and its territories. Korean … [Read more...]
Floyd makes multi-language appeal to SBC St. Louis
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (BP) – Ronnie Floyd, in just over 3 and a half minutes, speaks volumes about ethnic inclusiveness within the Southern Baptist Convention. Floyd speaks in English and, through a translator’s voice, in Spanish and Korean in a new video to invite Southern Baptists to the SBC annual meeting next June in St. Louis. More than 3,200 Hispanic churches and church-type missions are among the 40,700-plus Southern Baptist congregations across the U.S. and its territories. Korean … [Read more...]
Floyd calls for awakening, ponders IMB/NAMB merger
KANSAS CITY (BP) – Merging the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board is a key question Southern Baptists must address if a much-prayed-for spiritual awakening comes to their network of churches. SBC President Ronnie Floyd raised the question during his address at a symposium on “The SBC & the 21st Century: Reflection, Renewal & Recommitment” Sept. 28-29 at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. “Spiritual renewal leads to strategic … [Read more...]
Floyd calls for awakening, ponders IMB/NAMB merger
KANSAS CITY (BP) – Merging the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board is a key question Southern Baptists must address if a much-prayed-for spiritual awakening comes to their network of churches. SBC President Ronnie Floyd raised the question during his address at a symposium on “The SBC & the 21st Century: Reflection, Renewal & Recommitment” Sept. 28-29 at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. “Spiritual renewal leads to strategic … [Read more...]
Churches work to overcome challenges in South Africa
DIPHAGANE, South Africa (BP) –Early one Saturday morning, a mission group from two Baptist churches in Virginia attended a funeral in the yard of a deceased South African’s home. Hundreds of Pedi villagers poured in for the funeral. Some were close friends or family members, while others barely knew her, but because of their sense of community they all felt compelled to go. A procession of family, friends, other villagers and the Americans made their way to the gravesite. Later that day, … [Read more...]
In West Africa, clinic rescues starving babies
WEST AFRICA (BP) – Whipping desert winds fill the air with dust, which settles on the clinic’s metal gate, muting its deep maroon color. A clinic worker opens the gate, and two grandparents step into the clinic with their 2-month-old grandson. Untying the wrap that holds the baby on her back, the grandmother slides him around in front and cradles him as she sits down. The baby’s grandfather pulls up a chair and sits next to them. The emaciated baby lies motionless on his grandmother’s lap. … [Read more...]
Support world missions
Many Southern Baptists have heard about the impending reduction of our missionary force by the International Mission Board. After years of unprecedented advancement in numbers, there will be a large reduction of somewhere around 600-800. Our missionary count will be well below 4,000. My heart is saddened to hear the necessity of this move. All of us want the gospel to reach the unengaged peoples of the world. We have open doors that could shut at any time. Now is the time to be ramping up … [Read more...]
Abedini prayer vigils set globally 9/26
NASHVILLE (BP) – The wife of imprisoned American pastor Saeed Abedini is on a 21-day “Daniel” fast and is organizing prayer vigils internationally Sept. 26, the third anniversary of her husband’s imprisonment in Iran for his Christian faith. Naghmeh Abedini, in asking Christians to pray for her husband and the persecuted church, also is promoting a letter-writing campaign to ask United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to advocate for Abedini’s release when Iranian President Hassan … [Read more...]
IMB announces transition team for missionaries leaving the field
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – International Mission Board President David Platt has announced a transition team that will focus on the practical needs of missionaries who accept the voluntary retirement incentive recently offered to personnel who are at least 50 years of age with five years of service. The retirement incentive is the first phase to reduce IMB staff and field personnel by 600 to 800 people in response to revenue shortfalls. See related story. The goal of the plan, IMB leaders … [Read more...]
42 IMB missionaries appointed; Platt addresses trustees
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (BP) – Growing up in Brazil, Thiago Montanher de Queiroz came to know Christ at 10 years old and early on felt God calling’s to follow Him into international missions. As an adult while attending a local seminary, Montanher had a professor of missions and church planting – an International Mission Board missionary – who helped confirm and encourage his calling. “[The missionary’s] love for the nations was contagious, and I have never seen anyone so passionate about the … [Read more...]
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