News

Shock to the Heart
By Sherri Brown
Published December 4, 2008

I looked hard at the picture of my youngest daughter, looking for a sign of what happened just seconds after it was taken. All I saw was a smiling 14-year-old, blue eyes flashing, pink cheeks shining, arms around good friends during the school pep rally.

Helping those at a Crossroads
Homegrown ministry helps others in Whitfield County
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published December 4, 2008

Maybe it started while watching his parents and grandparents give to help others, though they didn’t have much themselves.

3-minute testimony leads 1,600 to Christ
First Baptist Cumming among churches to use evangelistic aid
Published December 4, 2008

More than 1,600 people have indicated online that they prayed to receive Christ for salvation after watching a three-minute video of evangelist Ronnie Hill’s testimony, which starts by recounting his birth to a 17-year-old rape victim who decided against abortion.

Stone Mountain church part of arson cases
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published December 4, 2008

A 21-year-old Stone Mountain man charged with setting fire to a DeKalb County auto dealership is under suspicion for the arson of a nearby Georgia Baptist church.

Don Smith, "Mr. Crossover," dies at 72
Published December 4, 2008

The thousands of individuals who came to faith in Christ during the past 13 Crossover events most likely never heard the name Don Smith. And to be honest, that’s just the way he wanted it.

'Fireproof' gross is split multiple ways
By Michael Foust
Published December 4, 2008

Passing the $31 million mark in total box office gross following its ninth weekend, “Fireproof” played in 160 new theaters – more than 800 overall – and averaged $1,094 per theater.

Gospel reaches to remote Brazilian villages
By Kristen Hiller
Published December 4, 2008

The teacher leans over Edinaldo’s desk, glancing over the boy’s shoulder as he fills in the blanks on his worksheet. The air is thick and stagnant inside the cement schoolhouse, and Edinaldo is the only child still working to complete his coursework before the summer break.

Selling brick and mortar in favor of flesh and blood
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 4, 2008

Rolling Hills Baptist Church is up for sale. The people, who constitute the real church, are not up for sale, but the property of the church is in the hands of a real estate agent and on the market.

Training lifts pastors, staffers to Next Level
By Mickey Noah
Published December 4, 2008

At one point in its 10-year history, Next Level training was the best-kept secret in the Southern Baptist Convention, Bert Ross says. But it’s a secret no longer, judging from positive feedback from SBC churches and Baptist associations across the United States.

Triathlon a spiritual race for Southern Seminary student
By David Roach
Published December 4, 2008

Southern Seminary student Michael Diaz recently faced the most arduous day of his seminary career.

Georgia NewsBriefs

Georgia Baptist Fellowship of Retired Ministers elects new officers
Published December 4, 2008

Members of the Georgia Baptist Fellowship of Retired Ministers recently elected new officers at their meeting during the Georgia Baptist Convention held at First Baptist Church Jonesboro.

Baptist News Summary

Christmas boxes en route to chaplains
Published December 4, 2008

At least 200 Southern Baptist Convention-endorsed military chaplains will be pleasantly surprised with a box of Christmas goodies by Dec. 25.

Southern Baptists in Congress return to D.C. after voting
Published December 4, 2008

No Southern Baptist members of Congress lost their seats in voting Nov. 4.

Religious NewsBriefs

'Muslim' Albanians return to Christianity
Published December 4, 2008

After more than 400 years of being forcibly converted to Islam, many ethnic Albanian Christians are coming out of hiding and Catholicism is experiencing a revival in a newly independent Kosovo.

Bookies lower odds on God’s existence
Published December 4, 2008

Thanks to a huge new atom smasher near Geneva and a bus advertising campaign by atheists in London, a leading bookmaking firm in Britain has shortened odds on the existence of God to 4-1 – subject to proof.

Slaughterhouse problems create kosher meat shortage for Jewish diets
Published December 4, 2008

Kosher meat is getting more expensive and harder to find, due to production stoppages at three of America’s largest kosher slaughterhouses.

California fires destroy hilltop monastery
Published December 4, 2008

The wildfires that have burned approximately 40,000 acres and hundreds of homes in Southern California have also destroyed a historic Episcopal monastery set on a hill in Santa Barbara.

People and Places

Anniversaries
Published December 4, 2008

Obituaries
Published December 4, 2008

Ordinations
Published December 4, 2008

Revival Reports
Published December 4, 2008

Ministerial Moves
Published December 4, 2008

Cooperative Program Stories

Increased need
calling for increased giving
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published December 4, 2008

More often than not the shelves are empty at church – and association-sponsored food banks across the state. At the same time, requests for help are at an all-time high.

Bible Study

Your Missions Involvement
By Andy Hall, Pastor, Delwood Baptist Church, Camilla
Published December 4, 2008

Matt. 9:35-38, 28:19-20 Rom. 15:23-28
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, Dec 14

The Message of Missions
By Andy Hall, Pastor, Delwood Baptist Church, Camilla
Published December 4, 2008

Luke 2:8-12, 16-18, 25-32
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, Dec 21

Columns

God is still able in a postmodern culture
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 4, 2008

While some churches are growing spiritually and numerically others are struggling. Have you stopped to consider why your church may not be prospering?

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director GBC
Published December 4, 2008

I am so grateful for the wonderful testimony of Talmadge Wilcox, pastor at Kramer Baptist Church in the Little River Association

Early stimulation promotes children's learning ability
By James Dobson
Published December 4, 2008