Issue Date: 2010-07-15
Volume: 189
Number: 14

News

Landmark ruling would force U.S. to recognize 'gay marriage'
By Michael Foust
Published July 15, 2010

In a landmark decision that could force the federal government to recognize "gay marriage," a U.S. district judge July 8 overturned part of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, ruling that the government cannot constitutionally distinguish between traditional marriage and same-sex "marriage."

Clarkston
Published July 15, 2010

Twice a year, members of Clarkston International Bible Church come together for one large worship celebration.

'Son of Hamas' granted U.S. asylum
Published July 15, 2010

Mosab Hassan Yousef, the eldest son of a prominent Hamas leader on the West Bank and author of a globally circulated book recounting his conversion to Christianity, has been granted asylum in the United States by an immigration judge.

Columbus churches helping others get home
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published July 15, 2010

Jimmy Blanton has been house hunting.

Center Grove's 'Giving Garden' has become a tool for sharing the Gospel
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 15, 2010

Pastors across Georgia are looking for creative ways to share the gospel and impact their "Jerusalem" (community) for Christ. Pastor Chris Hulsey and Center Grove Baptist Church have found a unique way to get the people in their vicinity to stop by their church so they can share the Gospel.

Shorter University appoints presidential search committee
Published July 15, 2010

Shorter University Trustee Chairman Nelson Price has announced the formation of a Presidential Search Committee that will be tasked with selecting the university's 19th president.

Most of North America lives in multi-housing; 95% lost without Christ
By Mickey Noah
Published July 15, 2010

The statistics are staggering: about 57 percent of all people in North America reside in multi-housing - apartments, expensive high-rises, mobile home parks, and condominiums. An estimated 95 percent of them are lost without Christ.

Georgia grads among those at Southern commencement
Published July 15, 2010

Several students with ties to Georgia Baptists joined others May 14 at graduation exercises for Southern Seminary.

Violent Mexican gang hijacks U.S. evangelical's book
By Alfredo Garcia, c. 2010 Religion News Service
Published July 15, 2010

In one Mexican drug cartel, mandatory reading now includes an American evangelical's best-seller.

How Firm a Foundation: A History of the First Baptist Church of Blairsville, Georgia
Ed and Doris Durbin, Colorgreen, $25
By Rebecca Morris, GBC Archivist
Published July 15, 2010

"A crooked treasurer embezzles almost $1 million from a private school. Federal agents are injured in a local raid."

Haitians begin to carry Buckets of Hope home
By Barbara Denman
Published July 15, 2010

At a garbage dump on the northern outskirts of Port-au-Prince, gaunt and weary-looking Haitians formed two lines to wait in the searing sun June 20 for Buckets of Hope to be unloaded from a truck near Eglise Baptiste Canaan.

Research reveals value of event evangelism
Published July 15, 2010

Block parties, festivals, and other evangelistic events are essential ingredients for effective churches, according a study by the Scarborough Center for Baptist Church Planting at Southwestern Seminary in conjunction with the North American Mission Board.

Georgia Newsbriefs

'Courageous' movie clips posted online
Published July 15, 2010

It won't be released until 2011, but the first clips from "Courageous," the next movie from the makers of "Fireproof," have been posted online.

Baptist News Summary

Names in the News
Published July 15, 2010

Ruth Carlisle, the International Mission Board's oldest living retired missionary, died June 5. She was 102.

Gulf Coast DOMs develop Disaster Relief network
Published July 15, 2010

Directors of missions from associations in four states that border the Gulf Coast met June 29 in Gulfport, Miss., to discuss how they could help each other in the aftermath of a hurricane or other disaster.

NAMB honors churches among top givers for Annie offering
Published July 15, 2010

Some 400 representatives of churches that gave most sacrificially to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions in 2009 heard directly in mid-June from missionaries about how those monies are being used.

San Quentin prisoners earn, Golden Gate Seminary diplomas
Published July 15, 2010

Morris Curry Jr., a chaplain at San Quentin State Prison in California, said the prison has more in common with Golden Gate Seminary that one would notice at first glance.

'Boomerang Express' VBS reached 2.9 million in 2009
Published July 15, 2010

Just like a boomerang that returns when it's thrown, LifeWay's "Boomerang Express" Vacation Bible School curriculum returned, bringing new Christians and church prospects with it since the summer of 2009.

$115 million pledged at First Baptist Dallas
Published July 15, 2010

The 143-year-old First Baptist Church in Dallas has raised more than $115 million in a six-month capital campaign to recreate its downtown campus for 21st century ministry.

CP 3.36% behind 2009 pace
Published July 15, 2010

Year-to-date contributions through the Southern Baptist Convention's Cooperative Program are 3.36 percent below the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman.

Religious Newsbriefs

Study: Devout are less stressed
Published July 15, 2010

Religion may provide a "buffer" allowing the devout to feel less anxiety when they make mistakes, compared with non-believers, according to new scientific research.

Survey: Four in 10 Americans see Jesus returning by 2050
Published July 15, 2010

Four in 10 Americans believe Jesus Christ will return to earth by 2050, while a slightly larger portion (46 percent) don't believe they'll see a Second Coming by mid-century, according to a new survey.

Church, government at odds over graves
Published July 15, 2010

The Anglican Church of Wales is facing off against government authorities over who is responsible for paying for the upkeep of the church's diminishing number of graveyards.

Raelians want to rehab the swastika
Published July 15, 2010

The Raelians designated June 27 as "World Swastika Rehabilitation Day," saying the ancient symbol should no longer be damned by its ties to Nazism.

People and Places

Obituaries
Published July 15, 2010

Deacon election
Published July 15, 2010

Scholarship named in Duncan's honor
Published July 15, 2010

Licensed
Published July 15, 2010

Ministerial Moves
Published July 15, 2010

Cooperative Program Stories

Cooperation in the midst of crisis
By John Bryan, Cooperative Program Advancement and Endowment Ministries, State Missionary, GBC
Published July 15, 2010

My wife and I were recently involved in a rear-end collision as we were driving on I-75, south of Atlanta.

Bible Study

The Power of Loyalty
By Alan Morris, Area Missionary, North Central Area Missions Program
Published July 15, 2010

1 Samuel 24:20-22; 26:1-2, 7-12, 21-25
Bible Studies for Life, Jul 25

Respect God's Holiness
By Dennis Nunn, evangelist
Published July 15, 2010

2 Samuel 6:1-15, 17
Bible Studies for Life, Aug 1

Columns

What are you substituting for evangelism or the Great Commission?
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 15, 2010

Much has been said in recent days about the Great Commission.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director GBC
Published July 15, 2010

Summer is a very special time in the lives of our families and in the Georgia Baptist Convention.

Chuck Bentley: Living debt-free
Published July 15, 2010

Our world has changed significantly since Larry Burkett first penned the words of his best-selling book, "Debt-Free Living," over 20 years ago. But, as the old saying goes, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

Kids misbehave in public, testing parents' composure
By James Dobson
Published July 15, 2010

Letters

Resolution on autonomy, not addressed at SBC
By Calvin Anderson, pastor, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Resaca
Published July 15, 2010

On Tuesday of the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Orlando, the four messengers from our little (in numbers) church cast no votes on the GCR recommendations. We of course did not get our way.

Christian candidates, deserve your vote
By Mark Myers, Loganville
Published July 15, 2010

July 20 is the day for the people of Georgia to vote in the Primary elections. The primaries are very important as the different parties select whom will be on their respective ballots in November.

Disappointed with Task Force vote
By Charles Yarbrough, Columbus
Published July 15, 2010

I am extremely disappointed at the recent events at the SBC Convention meeting in Orlando. I refer specifically to the passage of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force report.