DALLAS, Texas (GuideStone) – Proverbs 11:25 assures us that whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. As Bob and Lois Kendrick refreshed others in their ministry, they have been refreshed through Mission:Dignity. Bob and Lois served a total of forty-two years in the ministry, all in Oklahoma. It started in 1967 when Bob left a promising career in the financial world to give his life to the ministry. “It was worth all that I gave up,” he said. With smiles on their faces and arms opened … [Read more...]
Mo. DR chainsaw recovery teams bring relief after Iowa windstorm
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A massive windstorm, also known as a “derecho,” swept across central and eastern Iowa, Aug. 10, causing massive destruction in Cedar Rapids. A derecho is a “straight wind” weather incident, in this case with 100-140 MPH winds recorded. It flattened buildings and trees all across the city of Cedar Rapids, population 133,562. Local television station KCRG reported there were 50 persons injured in the storm, but no fatalities. MBC Disaster Relief (DR) volunteers … [Read more...]
Hurricane Laura’s toll includes 140 Louisiana Baptist churches
EDITOR'S NOTE: This report was written by John Kyle, Louisiana Baptist director of communications, and was first published by the Louisiana Baptist Message. ALEXANDRIA, La. (Louisiana Baptist Message) — A little more than a week after slamming the Louisiana coast, it is obvious Hurricane Laura’s 140 miles per hour, Category 4, winds considered nothing sacred, including houses of worship. Numerous reports have shed light on the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans left without power … [Read more...]
IMB missionaries help churches reach nations while in U.S.
GUYMON, Okla. – The sun was blazing and the 102° heat was taking its toll on IMB missionary Mark Chambers*. He had driven four hours across a rugged, desolate landscape for this ministry opportunity and now he and pastor Michael Carter were lost. They asked for directions from an African man sitting outside of his home and a conversation began that soon turned to spiritual matters. A short while later, the man had heard the gospel and professed faith in Jesus Christ. Stories of God … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists urged to remember church security as buildings reopen
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptists are eager to celebrate their first Sunday back at church, but the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advises worshipers not to let down their guards with respect to church security. Most local churches have security measures in place, and these should be reviewed and practiced as they open their doors in the days ahead. Brian Harrell, assistant director for Infrastructure Security for DHS, issued a letter April 8 to U.S. houses of worship … [Read more...]
Chocolate factory now making medical face shields
MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas (BP) – A chocolate factory owned by a couple of Southern Baptists is among the factories that have converted to make medical face shields to supply hospitals with personal protective equipment needed in the COVID-19 fight. Michael and Angie Moss own Sweet Shop USA, the largest handmade chocolate manufacturer in the country, in Mount Pleasant, Texas. The company was founded in Fort Worth nearly 50 years ago before relocating to northeast Texas, and they supply … [Read more...]
Teen baptisms falling – Southern Baptists urged to reverse ‘horrific decline’ by calling, equipping parents to disciple teenagers
NASHVILLE – Equipping parents to disciple their teenagers must be central to efforts to reverse the decline in teen baptisms within Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) churches, according to youth ministry experts within the denomination. SBC Executive Committee (EC) President Ronnie Floyd implored Southern Baptists to address this decline during his address to EC members meeting in Nashville, Feb. 17. He told committee members how he came to Christ as a teenager in 1972, at the height of … [Read more...]
‘Jesus Loves Me’: Children calm in Ky. storm
PADUCAH, Ky. (BP) – In the eye of a storm that ripped the roof off the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, preschool director Michelle Rushing found calm for herself and the 40 children who were there sheltering in place. As a tornado was sweeping through a five-mile stretch in west Kentucky around 9:30 a.m. on March 14, Rushing guided the children into the innermost room, following the church’s storm plan, she told WPSD in Paducah. Then she said they sang songs like “Jesus Loves Me” and “He’s Got … [Read more...]
Social media strategy & the church
NASHVILLE (BP) – By the time churches have fully embraced Facebook, many of their members and those they are trying to reach may have left it behind. Nearly three-quarters of Facebook users (74 percent) have adjusted their connection with the social media platform in some way over the past year, according to Pew Research. That reportedly includes the 54 percent who adjusted their privacy settings, 42 percent who took a break from checking it for several weeks or more, and 26 percent who … [Read more...]
Pastor salaries not keeping pace with inflation
NASHVILLE (BP) – Compensation for full-time Southern Baptist pastors and church staff has lagged behind the growth in the cost-of-living over the past two years. And health insurance coverage remains low, according to the 2018 SBC Church Compensation Study. The biannual study is a joint project of state Baptist conventions, GuideStone Financial Resources and LifeWay Christian Resources. Compensation and congregational data is collected anonymously from ministers and office/custodial … [Read more...]
ACP: Worship attendance rises, baptisms decline
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention expanded by more than 270 churches in 2017. More people showed up for weekly worship services, and congregations gave more generously in a strengthening economy. However, reported baptisms and membership declined as fewer churches participated in the SBC's Annual Church Profile (ACP). Similar statistics are reflected in ACP reports from Missouri Baptist churches. Longstanding patterns continued to dominate the ACP, which is compiled by … [Read more...]
Churches must abandon 600MHz wireless sound systems
WASHINGTON (BP) – Churches that haven't updated their wireless sound system may have trouble being heard on any given Sunday, as the federal government is phasing out the 600MHz frequencies many congregations use. The Federal Communications Commission will complete the transition of the 617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz spectrum bands from wireless microphones and television broadcasts by July 13, 2020, but the transition began in 2017. The frequencies are being transitioned to wireless … [Read more...]
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