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...]
MBTS introduces free local church theological training through FTC Institute
KANSAS CITY – Midwestern Seminary announced last month the launch of the For the Church Institute—a free online training platform designed to provide accessible theological training to equip, encourage, and edify the local church and beyond. Jordan Wilbanks, director of church partnerships at Midwestern Seminary, acknowledged that there is a growing movement in local churches, called “church-based theological education,” where regular church members are seeking out educational … [Read more...]
Midwestern Seminary’s Spanish Studies Department grows, reorganizes staff
KANSAS CITY – Citing significantly increased program growth, Midwestern Seminary’s Spanish Studies Department announced on Aug. 5 a reorganization of the staff and the addition of new faculty members. According to Bobby Sena, director of Spanish Studies, Arnaldo Achucarro and Cesar Perez have been added to the teaching faculty, and Felix Cabrera will assume additional responsibilities. “With nearly 200 students now pursuing degrees through the Spanish Studies Department, the time was … [Read more...]
Fellowship Baptist Church, Lesterville, exceeds Annie Armstrong offering goals
LESTERVILLE – Fellowship Baptist Church of Lesterville has a history of working together and having fun doing it. Collecting this year for the Annie Armstrong offering was no exception. In fact, they had so much fun collecting that they shot past the goal of $6,000 to $10,824.41. “I’ve served as WMU director for the last five years,” Terry Bryant, member and financial secretary, said, “and I was asked to head up the collection.” “We’ve had a tradition of competition of teams for the … [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...]
SBC entity trustee meetings move primarily online due to COVID-19 restrictions
NASHVILLE (BP) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee meeting scheduled to be held in Nashville Sept. 21-22 has been canceled and replaced with a special called meeting, to be held online Sept. 22. EC Chairman Rolland Slade said given the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting virtually was the best decision for the safety of EC members, their families, congregations and others who might participate. “Canceling the in-person meeting and moving to virtual, though not what we wanted … [Read more...]
Replant Summit scheduled for Aug. 24-25
GREENWOOD – Missouri Baptists can still register for the 2020 National Replant Summit, hosted at the Fellowship Church here, Aug. 24-25. According to Bob Bickford, associate director of replant for the North American Mission Board, the summit “will introduce different methods and models of replanting to those interested in knowing more about which options are best for their congregations.” “Replanting and Revitalization is not a one size fits all approach,” he said. “Each church is … [Read more...]
NAMB files en banc request, First Liberty Institute joins case
NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board has asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for a hearing by the full court in order to reconsider a ruling in a lawsuit filed by a former executive of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. Last month, a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit remanded the case to a district court, reversing a dismissal decision from April 2019 that stated the court could … [Read more...]
Franklin Graham announces national prayer march in Washington
WASHINGTON (BP) — Evangelist Franklin Graham is asking Americans to join him in a Washington prayer march Sept. 26 to plead for God to save the nation from its present distress. “Our communities are hurting. Our people are divided, and there’s fear and uncertainty all around us,” Graham said in a video announcing the event. “So let’s join together and do the most important thing, and that is to pray.” Amid a global COVID-19 pandemic and an international uprising decrying injustice and … [Read more...]
Religious access to state programs affirmed
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly upheld June 30 a state tax credit scholarship program that includes religious schools, thereby maintaining its recent support of the right of faith groups to participate in government programs. The high court voted 5-4 to overturn a Montana Supreme Court decision that invalidated a state program that provides a tax credit of up to $150 for a donation to a Student Scholarship Organization (SSO). Contributions to SSOs finance scholarships … [Read more...]
SBU alumnus killed while helping stranded motorist
BOLIVAR – Southwest Baptist University (SBU) alumnus and Southern Baptist church planter John Powell, 38, was killed on July 18, while helping a stranded motorist on U.S. Highway 75 in Sherman, Texas. Powell graduated from SBU in 2005 with a degree in biblical studies, and at the time of his death he was serving as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in New Caney, Texas. According to local reports from television station KXII, Powell was one of two men who stopped to help a motorist whose … [Read more...]