The North American Mission Board has unveiled a national evangelism initiative called God’s Plan for Sharing (GPS). The goal is to fulfill the Great Commission in North America by 2020. The point man for this continental GPS is Ken Weathersby, senior strategist for evangelism at the Alpharetta-based agency.
The Christian Index published an article entitled “Temples in, churches out?” in the Nov. 8, 2007 issue. The article detailed the decline, departure, and death of more than four dozen Georgia Baptist churches inside the I-285 Perimeter since 1980.
The Urban Atlanta Impact Initiative, a consortium to increase church planting, evangelism, and leadership development inside the I-285 Perimeter, is sponsoring a series of one- and two-day tours in the coming weeks.
Every crisis creates opportunities, even for missions. For three hours on a hot summer afternoon in the Georgia mountains, residents recently caught a short break from America’s gasoline crisis.
Candidates for the White House and other offices should be free to say how their religious beliefs impact them but should not be expected to explain the specifics of their faith, Southern Baptist church-state specialist Richard Land said at a forum on religion in the 2008 election.
I believe a prayer conference is needed for many reasons. One reason is to seek spiritual renewal in the Church. Churches needing spiritual renewal will not be renewed without prayer. I want to identify seven realities that are breaking our connection (prayer) with God and preventing spiritual renewal in the Church:
As the tomb of the first pope and the principal church of most of his 264 successors, St. Peter’s Basilica is Roman Catholicism’s greatest shrine. It’s also a treasure trove of artistic riches, with works by such artists as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini.
It may have seemed a bit awkward – and certainly dangerous – as far as baptisms go. But looking back over 34 years of missionary service, it’s a moment Bill Fudge can describe only as holy.
Journeyman Trevor Yoakum lay face down in mud on the side of a narrow highway in Nigeria. Gunfire exploded in his ears. Squealing tires followed and then the crunch of cars crashing.
It’s a significant accomplishment when a pastor spends nearly 60 years in the ministry. It’s rare when he spends almost half a century with one congregation.
Two “historic” meetings in Germany in May marked significant progress for the Southern Baptist initiative to develop a network of relationships among conservative evangelicals worldwide.
As church planting missionary at Brookhaven Baptist, Mark Taylor’s ministry area will be Cosmos – young cosmopolitans – who are quickly moving into the community undergoing gentrification. Taylor and his wife, Ashley, relocated from Louisville, Ky.
Despite controversy earlier this year, thousands of Bibles and gospel booklets will be distributed to athletes and visitors at this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing – with the approval of the Chinese government.
Muslim culture features many prominent achievements in architecture, literature, and science. Yet awareness of these accomplishments is low, according to a group of Princeton University students.
President Bush on June 26 touted the successes of his initiative to partner faith-based and community organizations with government funds, calling it a key part of his presidency.
For the first time in its 50-year history, an umbrella group of Eastern Orthodox Christian leaders now represents every American church in communion with the spiritual leader of world Orthodoxy.
At work on Sundays Churches see the benefits of evangelism, outreach emphasis By Sherri Brown, GBC Communications Published July 17, 2008
In the last census, there was barely more than a thousand people living in Maysville. But in this town with no red light, about 700 people worship at Maysville Church every Sunday morning – that’s about 200 more than last year.
Bible Study
Just How Heavenly is Heaven? By John Tarwater, Former assistant professor of Christian Studies, Truett-McConnell College Published July 17, 2008
Rev. 21:1-5, 22-27; 22:1-5
Related Sunday School Lesson Bible Studies for Life, July 27
A Focused Life By David Owen, Pastor, Piney Grove Baptist Church, Acworth Published July 17, 2008
Heb. 1:1-6, 10-14; 2:1-4
Related Sunday School Lesson Bible Studies for Life, Aug. 3
There are no finer Christian people in the known world than Cliff and Betty Tyler. I had the privilege of being their pastor at Eastside Baptist Church in Marietta for over nine years. Cliff is on The Christian Index Board of Directors and has served as chairman of the board. He has been a faithful prayer partner for years.
Troubles in the village By Dick Staub, c. 2008 Religion News Service Published July 17, 2008
By now, everybody has probably heard the sad tale about the pregnant teens of Gloucester, Mass.
The Open Door By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC Published July 17, 2008
Recently I had the joy of representing Georgia Baptists at the Canadian National Baptist Convention meeting at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.