No place to go Whitfield County churches helping homeless, hurting students amid economic downturn By Scott Barkley, Production Editor Published May 7, 2009
To Jennifer Schneider, it's not much. A can of chili. A box of cereal. A jug of milk. To the family, though, it's more. A lot more.
Rick Gage's Southeast Georgia Go Tell Crusade April 19-22 drew more than 16,000 people to Waycross Memorial Stadium and resulted in 1,140 spiritual decisions for Christ with 673 professions of faith.
As many congregations grapple with declining contributions, some faith communities are following the lead of cash-strapped corporations by laying off employees.
Southern Baptists gave 2.3 percent more to missions last year despite the economic downturn, but they lost members and baptized the fewest number of people since 1987, according to the denomination's Annual Church Profile, the yearly statistical report compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in conjunction with 42 Baptist state conventions.
A declaration released by SBC President Johnny Hunt calling for a "Great Commission Resurgence" among Southern Baptists has drawn more than 1,500 signatures since it was posted April 27 at www.greatcommissionresurgence.com.
The GuideStone Property and Casualty Program, launched last November and now available in 33 states, is gaining momentum as a risk management solution for Southern Baptist churches and ministries.
NAMB chairman proposes IMB merger Patterson said he has seen the organization "at its best and worst" By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor Published May 7, 2009
As Southern Baptists ponder the implications of Woodstock First Baptist Church pastor Johnny's Hunt's declaration for a "Great Commission Resurgence," (see page 3), one denominational leader has gone on record with a surprising admission of his own.
The need to help Georgia Baptist churches develop a stronger discipleship ministry in concert with Sunday School and evangelism has resulted in a restructuring of the state convention's Discipleship and Family Ministries unit.
An uneasy calm has continued over the capital city here following rioting early last month, but the head of the Moldova Baptist Union is asking for Christians around the world to continue to pray for the country.
When Jesus traveled to Jerusalem, the New Testament says, he arrived on a donkey. And when Abraham, the biblical Patriarch of the Old Testament, prepared to sacrifice his son, Isaac, he first loaded up a donkey.
Promise Keepers, the evangelical ministry known for its focus on making men better fathers and husbands, is inviting women for the first time to its main 2009 conference, the ministry announced.
Katharyn Richt Preseason and postseason #1-ranked mom By J. Gerald Harris, Editor Published May 7, 2009
Katharyn Richt, wife of University of Georgia head football coach Mark Richt, is one of the most visible and notable women in Georgia.
Legislation to extend hate crimes protections to homosexuals and transgendered individuals could severely restrict religious freedom, foes of the proposal said April 28 as they sought to rally opposition.
A secular organization in Britain that backs an atheist ad campaign on London's buses is now producing "certificates of de-baptism" for people wishing to renounce their Christian faith - and claims it is getting thousands of takers.
Former Italian volleyball world champion Andrea Zorzi was one of 50 Italian runners who joined about 100 Israelis and Palestinians in the sixth annual Pope John Paul II Peace Marathon on April 23 that concluded in Jerusalem.
It was interesting to see how the media covered the Tax Day Tea Parties last month. The nationwide turnout was estimated to be more than a million by one source and as low as 311,460 by another.
All who love our denomination are distressed by the nominal number of baptisms being registered year after year. In spite of our best intentions and high-profile promotions, the numbers remain dismal, about the same as fifty years ago.
The Open Door By J. Robert White, Executive Director GBC Published May 7, 2009
The Spring 2009 edition of the Baptist Mobile Health Ministry, Inc. newsletter, recently reported an unusually outstanding year of ministry in 2008.