NASHVILLE (BP) – Less than three weeks after the Boy Scouts voted to permit openly homosexual youth as members, a messenger to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) moved that an alternative organization be sought. The motion during the June 11-12 SBC annual meeting called for a special task force to explore “any available youth programs as well the possibility of offering a substitute program for those desiring to find an avenue for their boys to learn leadership skills and moral … [Read more...]
GuideStone going to court over contraceptive mandate in controversial Obamacare
NASHVILLE (BP) – GuideStone Financial Resources has renewed its vow to fight the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive/abortifacient mandate, now looking to court action alongside efforts in Congress and before federal agencies. The need to fight arises from the Obama Administration’s requirement that all employers who provide health benefits also must cover contraceptives. The mandate covers all FDA-approved contraceptives, including those that cause early abortions. “Our plans have strict … [Read more...]
Indian Falls Creek brings together familes, tribes
DAVIS — For more than 65 years, the Indian Falls Creek (IFC) Baptist Assembly has acted as a powerful time for missions, ministry and equipping Native Americans from across Oklahoma and the United States. More than 2,300 attended the 2013 Assembly, meeting July 28-Aug. 1, representing hundreds of churches and dozens of tribes. The 2013 IFC, which was home to a variety of daily activities, Bible studies and fellowship, was historic in various ways. On July 29, Anthony L. Jordan, Executive … [Read more...]
Send connects churches to vast mission field
PLANO, Texas (BP) – More than 4,200 church planters, pastors and church leaders flooded the hallways of Prestonwood Baptist Church, here, for the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) second Send North America Conference July 29-30. The gathering was marked by masses of participants praying in response to speakers, hundreds of connections between churches and church planters, and individuals seizing their moments to penetrate lostness in North America. Many attendees expressed the belief … [Read more...]
Ethnic ministry tracks popular at Send gathering
PLANO, Texas – More than 35 percent of the registrants at the 2013 Send North America Conference signed up for one of five ethnic ministry tracks. The final tally of registrants included 1,526 participants for the ethnic tracks, which included Hispanic Leadership and Mission, Black Church Discipleship and Development, Reaching People from a Muslim Background, Korean Leadership and Development and Leadership Development for Kingdom Development in Chinese Churches. Registrants from other … [Read more...]
Rick Warren returns to pulpit after son’s April suicide
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (BP) – Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., returned to the pulpit July 27 for the first time since his son’s suicide. Warren, author of the bestseller The Purpose Driven Life, had taken a 16-week absence after Matthew Warren, 27, took his life in April following a long struggle with mental illness. Matthew Warren’s death brought an outpouring of support for the Warren family, including from Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist … [Read more...]
Macedonia Project speeds missionaries to field
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) — You’ve recently finished college — or maybe you’re a mid-career professional -- and you sense an urgent call to follow Christ into long-term mission service. You have the practical skills to make an impact. You have the motivation. You’re ready to respond to the Lord’s call in obedience -- right now, as the Apostle Paul responded when he dreamed of the man pleading, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). But you need the theological training required for … [Read more...]
‘Uncle Si’ pens book as ‘Duck Dynasty’ debuts new episodes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Viewers and ducks have a hard time resisting the call of the Robertson family. Duck Dynasty, the hit A&E television show, returns with season four in mid-August. But before that, Si Robertson, one of the show’s stars, opened up to LifeWay Christian Resources about his faith and the reason he and the rest of the Robertsons have found success. “Uncle Si,” as viewers know him, has a propensity for stretching the truth during his stories on the reality TV show. However, … [Read more...]
New biography details suffering, power of Ron Dunn
NASHVILLE — Suffering and crises of faith were no strangers to the life and ministry of itinerate Bible teacher and author Ron Dunn. Despite Dunn’s life being marked with personal pain and loss, including his life being cut short by pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 64, his influence continues to echo through countless pastors and church leaders. Ron Dunn: His Life and Mission, a new biography by Ron Owens from B&H Publishing, captures the story of a man who became an inspiration and … [Read more...]
Gay marriage debate ‘very much alive’
NASHVILLE (BP) – The battle over gay marriage in the United States continues unabated, with activists on both sides engaging in the courts, media and government. “The national marriage debate is very much alive,” said Chris Plante, regional coordinator for the National Organization for Marriage, a group that opposes the legalization of same-sex marriage. Plante noted that while this summer’s Supreme Court decision left states the right to choose whether to legalize gay marriage, activists … [Read more...]
Planned Parenthood investigation launched
WASHINGTON (BP) – A congressional watchdog agency has agreed to investigate how Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights organizations spend federal funds, drawing praise from pro-life advocates inside and outside the legislative branch. “The abortion industry is big business of the most sordid sort. They certainly don’t need a taxpayer bailout,” said Russell D. Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Members of Congress announced Aug. 5 the Government … [Read more...]
Trustees: GuideStone expands participants
SAN FRANCISCO (BP) — O.S. Hawkins, president of GuideStone Financial Resources, reported on the continued growth in the number of the entity’s expanded ministry participants at a meeting of the trustees in San Francisco. Trustees also were updated on GuideStone’s long-range plan and on health care reform efforts. Expanded ministry participants, Hawkins said, help provide stability and strength to GuideStone’s insurance program. “Each year, we see value from our efforts to reach out and … [Read more...]
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