Issue Date: 2014-01-23
Volume: 193
Number: 2

News

Bad 'facts': 'How do you know that?'
By Bob Smietana
Published January 23, 2014

Sometimes a preacher or conference speaker gets things wrong.

Being Social
Published January 23, 2014

Beth Burdette: one of America’s hidden heroes
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published January 23, 2014

Although there are constant reminders that the United States is at war, most of us appear to be unaffected by the chaos and carnage that is taking place halfway around the world. The terrifying events of Sept. 11, 2001 that ignited the war on terrorism now seem more like a nightmare than a reality.

Life in the balance: Cairo student minister and wife face down daughters' cystic fibrosis
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published January 23, 2014

The three-week checkup for a newborn typically brings little drama. A few tests and questions to make sure everything is on course and then its back to the day. First-time parents experience a little anxiety that abates with the doctor's assurance of everything being normal.

Zombie Proof Your Marriage
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published January 23, 2014

The Georgia Baptist Convention Evangelism Department is old school and new school. The staff believes in the blood, the book, and the blessed hope, but they also believe in Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and all forms of social media. Furthermore, they are using it all to push back the world of darkness.

Baptist News Summary

Former Olympian among Golden Gate Seminary graduates
Published January 23, 2014

An Olympic swimmer was among 67 students who received degrees during Golden Gate Seminary's winter commencement.

New tool opens door to more Olympic ministry
Published January 23, 2014

Athletes from around the world will soon converge in Sochi, Russia, for the 22nd Olympic Winter Games in February. Millions across the globe will gather around their television sets to watch this event. For Christians, this creates a unique opportunity to share the Gospel, not only at the games but within their own communities.

Kentucky Baptist children's services director resigns after controversy
Published January 23, 2014

The president of Sunrise Children's Services, Bill Smithwick, has resigned amid disapproval from Kentucky Baptists over his support for allowing homosexual employees at the state convention-affiliated child care agency.

Alabama pastor charged with murder of wife
Published January 23, 2014

An Alabama pastor has been charged with the murder of his wife who was found dead in their home in July 2013, reported The Alabama Baptist newspaper.

Moore/ERLC podcast to tackle ethics questions
Published January 23, 2014

The Southern Baptist Convention's ethics entity has inaugurated a podcast to provide practical assistance on ethical issues.

Season ends after beginning, reinstalling football programs
Published January 23, 2014

B.J. Kelly carries the ball for the Houston Baptist University Huskies during their first football season.

Southwestern Seminary's first black graduate dies at 90
Published January 23, 2014

Marvin C. Griffin, Southwestern Seminary's first African American graduate, a longtime pastor, and trailblazing civic leader, died Dec. 25 at age 90.

Retired pastors, workers, widows find relief through Mission:Dignity
Published January 23, 2014

All Anna Streeter saw in her refrigerator was three hot dogs and one bottle of apple juice. She was hungry and wanted to go to the grocery store, but her bank account was as empty as her icebox.

People and Places

Those with Georgia ties take part in NOBTS commencement
Published January 23, 2014

Deaths
Published January 23, 2014

Honors
Published January 23, 2014

Ordinations
Published January 23, 2014

Ministerial Moves
Published January 23, 2014

First Baptist Bremen members present pastor with a truck
Published January 23, 2014

COGBE elects officers
Published January 23, 2014

2014 Georgia Baptist Ministers' Wives officers elected
Published January 23, 2014

Cooperative Program Stories

Men's ministries helps church revitalization and planting
By Jim Burton
Published January 23, 2014

A church's greatest resource for evangelism, Christian education, and missions is often its most neglected. Churches typically invest little if any into this resource while remaining perplexed about stagnation and decline.

Bible Study

What About People Who've Never Heard About Jesus?
By Brian Stowe, pastor, First Baptist Church, Plant City, FL*
Published January 23, 2014

Romans 1:18-23
Bible Studies for Life, Feb. 2

Why Should I Trust the Bible?
By Brian Stowe, pastor, First Baptist Church, Plant City, FL
Published January 23, 2014

Psalm 119:1-8; 137-144
Bible Studies for Life, Feb. 9

Columns

An Open Letter to My Denomination: Have We Lost Our First Love
By Thom S. Rainer
Published January 23, 2014

I could be writing to a broader audience. Perhaps I should be. And I know many outside our denomination will read this brief letter. I hope those readers will bear with me as I have a "family discussion."

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director GBC
Published January 23, 2014

I want you to know that the "Thank You" notes are pouring in from Appalachia as families rejoice over the generosity of everyone who participated in the "Backpacks for Appalachia" project. You responded in a great way with more than 21,000 backpacks to bless the children and families of Appalachia.

"Since you asked ..."
By Paul Baxter
Published January 23, 2014

Are there errors in the Bible?

The devaluation of life
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published January 23, 2014

Georgia Right to Life (GRTL) is an advocate of personhood and insists that the topic will be the pro-life battleground of the 21st century. Personhood values all life from conception to natural death. The Bible clearly teaches that man is created in the image of God and has worth at all stages of life.