News

These gifts keep giving
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published December 18, 2008

Often, a picture in the mail was all it took.

A real opportunity for those who like to dig in the dirt
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 18, 2008

Those who are interested in being part of an archeological dig in Israel should look into joining Alan Hix and James Scarry of Shorter College in the late spring of 2009.

Conyers First Baptist Church maximizes its opportunities
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 18, 2008

Hope Baptist Church in Conyers, trapped in a transitional community on Highway 20 and struggling to survive, decided to give their property to Conyers’ First Baptist Church.

Church recovering from youth minister murder
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published December 18, 2008

Counselors affiliated with the workplace of a murdered youth minister have been available to members of Pendergrass Baptist Church the past few weeks, said Pastor Kevin Burgess.

Acclaimed preacher Frank Pollard dies
Published December 18, 2008

Frank Pollard, longtime preacher on the former “Baptist Hour” radio broadcast and president of Golden Gate Seminary from 1983-86, died Nov. 30 at his home in Anselmo, Calif., in the San Francisco area.

Newman warns of casino talk
Published December 18, 2008

A Georgia Baptist Convention leader warned of lawmakers looking toward gambling as a way of bringing revenue during the economic crisis.

Seventeen conventions heighten SBC missions support
Published December 18, 2008

Over the course of a three-month period, the state conventions affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention have held their annual meetings.

National WMU cutbacks include unpaid furloughs
Measures won’t have immediate impact in Georgia, says state leader
Published December 18, 2008

With the United States’ economy projected to worsen in 2009, Woman’s Missionary Union SBC has announced a series of measures to ensure the organization can retain its staff and stay focused on its mission of involving children, youth, and adults in the Great Commission.

Tori Heard Park dedicated at Mabel White Church
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 18, 2008

Tori Heard Park, located at Mabel White Baptist Church, was completed in November and has been dedicated in memory of the seven-year-old girl for whom the park is named.

'Wonderful Life' actress sees faith in the midst of tragedy
By David Briggs
Published December 18, 2008

It is an iconic moment in American holiday life: The little girl tells her father at the end of “It’s a Wonderful Life” that “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

WorldCrafts gives hope to Afghan families
By Stephanie J. Blackmon
Published December 18, 2008

Amid the arid lands of Afghanistan, where hills and snow-capped mountains surround deserts and poppy fields, a cloud of war hovers over the terrain and all who inhabit it. But there are those who, with the help of WorldCrafts, are finding a measure of hope.

Evangelism leaders plan, pray for GPS
By Michael McCormack
Published December 18, 2008

National and state Southern Baptist evangelism leaders from across North America met in New Orleans Dec. 2-4 for their annual evangelism winter meeting, which this year was focused on the new “God’s Plan for Sharing” (GPS) denomination-wide evangelism emphasis.

Religious NewsBriefs

Archaeologists sketch out Herod's desert palace
Published December 18, 2008

Archaeologists who have analyzed artifacts discovered at Herodium, an ancient Judean palace built by King Herod, are more convinced than ever that the famed monarch was buried high atop the complex outside Jerusalem.

National Cathedral to make slashes in staff, budget
Published December 18, 2008

Washington National Cathedral announced dramatic cuts to its budget, programs, and staff Nov. 19.

People and Places

Anniversaries
Published December 18, 2008

Obituaries
Published December 18, 2008

Ordinations
Published December 18, 2008

Ministerial Moves
Published December 18, 2008

Cooperative Program Stories

Lost without translations
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published December 18, 2008

LifeWay is in the process of translating some of its most popular material into 50 different languages – and then planning to give it all away.

Bible Study

Wanted: Missionaries
By Andy Hall, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Moreland
Published December 18, 2008

Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27; 26:15-19; Gal. 2:6-10
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, Dec 28

Gain Fresh Perspective
By Dennis R. Culbreth, Senior assistant to the president, North American Mission Board
Published December 18, 2008

Psalm 19:1-14
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, Jan 4

Columns

"Reason's Greetings" or "Season's Greetings"
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published December 18, 2008

In 2006 officials in the state of Washington refused to permit a private citizen to put up a nativity scene in the state Capitol building next to a menorah (the candelabrum that marks Hanukkah) and a holiday tree approved for display.

Calling an 'undeniable' force
By Chris Watts
Published December 18, 2008

Calling, to me, is a funny thing.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published December 18, 2008

This has been a tough year financially. Not since The Depression have Americans felt such pressure regarding their investments, and in particular, their retirement accounts.

Letting go of kids is hard, but has many rewards
By James Dobson
Published December 18, 2008