News

Matt Johnson - a perfect 10, almost
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 22, 2010

He is positive, affable, energetic, determined, and having great success as perhaps the most potent force on Shorter College's baseball team.

Brewton-Parker 'unapologetically Christian, proudly Baptist'
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 22, 2010

David, the shepherd boy who became a king, asked a probing question that has echoed across the centuries: "Is there not a cause?"

Index receives SBC's highest award for feature writing
GBC Communications receives several awards in annual competition
Published April 22, 2010

The Christian Index has received the Southern Baptist Convention's highest feature writing award for a two-piece series on health and wellness.

A mission born
Gainesville's Pirkle named a National Top Teen by WMU
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published April 22, 2010

Hannah Pirkle's first experience in missions came before she could even remember it.

Germany's mega Passion play is back, and Jews are watching
By Niels Sorrells, c. 2010 Religion News Service
Published April 22, 2010

With its focus on the last days of Jesus' life, a Passion play should, by its nature, arouse passions. But here, the world's most famous Passion play keeps stirring the wrong kind.

North Metro church launches Moscow linkage as GBC starts partnership
By Gary D. Myers
Published April 22, 2010

Challenges abound for the team of International Mission Board missionaries serving in the bustling city of Moscow. They serve in a challenging cross-cultural context and the need for encouragement is real.

Nearly 3,000 attend NAMB commissioning at First Woodstock
By Mickey Noah
Published April 22, 2010

Before 3,000 people at First Baptist Church here – one of the largest crowds to ever witness a North American Mission Board missionary commissioning service - NAMB introduced 79 new missionaries and 16 new chaplains March 28.

GBC missionaries beat the streets of Atlanta
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 22, 2010

More than 80 Georgia Baptist state missionaries took to the streets of Atlanta on April 13 to pray and witness.

Christ's love shown in coal tragedy
Former First Baptist Woodstock member is West Virginia associational missionary
By Erin Roach
Published April 22, 2010

The West Virginia coal mine tragedy was an opportunity for Southern Baptists to show compassion to individuals who may not have had much experience with church, a North American Mission Board worker said.

Internet porn a big problem, even in the church
By Michael Foust
Published April 22, 2010

Long before the surgeon general issued his 1964 report showing the devastating harm of smoking, much of the nation viewed cigarettes as fun and harmless, even cool.

White House holds Easter prayer breakfast
Published April 22, 2010

President Obama recalled the resurrection of Christ at an April 6 Easter prayer breakfast for Christian leaders that included pastors from a wide range of denominations, including the Southern Baptist Convention.

Marietta minister named to 2010 SBC Resolutions Committee
Published April 22, 2010

Johnson Ferry Baptist Church minister Paul Jimenez was among those named by SBC President Johnny Hunt to the Resolutions Committee serving during the June 15-16 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

Barbie gets ordained, and has the wardrobe to match
By Leanne Larmondin, c. 2010 Religion News Service
Published April 22, 2010

With her careers as veterinarian, astronaut, and U.S. president behind her, Barbie has at last found her true calling: as a second-career Episcopal priest.

Georgia NewsBriefs

Newman to be nominated as SBC second vice president
Published April 22, 2010

Ray Newman, ethics and religious affairs specialist for the Georgia Baptist Convention, will be nominated as SBC second vice president when the convention meets in Orlando in mid-June.

Baptist News Summary

IMB student missionary dies in motorcycle accident
Published April 22, 2010

A 21-year-old student missionary with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board was killed April 12 in a motorcycle accident in the southeastern African country of Mozambique.

Rankin apologizes for questioning Chapman's commitment
Published April 22, 2010

An apology was extended by International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin to SBC Executive Committee President Morris H. Chapman March 15 for stating that Chapman viewed cooperation among Southern Baptists as more important than fulfilling the Great Commission.

Luter clarifies he won't be nominated for SBC president
Published April 22, 2010

Fred Luter has announced he's not agreed to be nominated for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, despite a Texas pastor's allusion the African-American Louisiana pastor would serve well in the role.

Alaska's executive director to retire
Published April 22, 2010

"A person has to have a sense of call here," said David Baldwin, executive director of the Alaska Baptist Convention, who has announced plans to retire Dec. 31 after 10 years in the role.

GuideStone health plans in sync with parts of new law
Published April 22, 2010

While many questions remain about the impact of the new health care legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama, GuideStone Financial Resources' plans already meet several elements of the new law.

Southern Baptist volunteer Silsby spends Easter in Haiti prison
Published April 22, 2010

The last remaining Southern Baptist volunteer still in a Haiti prison spent Easter Sunday in jail but remains confident she will be released.

Names in the News
Published April 22, 2010

Religious NewsBriefs

Mennonite farmer marketing Hobbit tea
Published April 22, 2010

Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings," might want to fire up the kettle and get out their map of Middle-earth, that beloved world of wizards, dragons, and hobbits created by the fantasy author.

Men sue store over ham in chowder
Published April 22, 2010

Two disgruntled diners have a beef with the New Seasons grocery chain.

Louisiana lawmaker wants to allow guns in churches with approval of pastors
Published April 22, 2010

A state lawmaker is proposing to allow people who are legally qualified to carry concealed weapons to bring them to houses of worship as long as the pastor or church board approves.

Student accused of raiding Methodist archives to sell to overseas dealer
Published April 22, 2010

William J. Scott, an 18-year-old freshman at Drew University, was charged March 15 in federal court with stealing between 21 and 23 of the letters and trying to sell them to a historical document dealer in the United Kingdom.

People and Places

Obituaries
Published April 22, 2010

Homecomings
Published April 22, 2010

Ordinations
Published April 22, 2010

Ministerial Moves
Published April 22, 2010

Cooperative Program Stories

Craig and Suzy Miles
By Barbara Curnutt, Executive Director, WMU/WEM
Published April 22, 2010

Suzy Miles grew up in Dahlonega near the Appalachian Trail and, at an early age, developed a love of hiking.

Bible Study

In The Presence of God
By Jeff Meyers, senior pastor, First Baptist Conyers
Published April 22, 2010

Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7-22
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, May 2

I Take You
By Jeff Meyers, senior pastor, First Baptist Conyers
Published April 22, 2010

Gen. 2:23-25; Mal. 2:13-15; Matt. 19:3-12
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, May 9

Columns

Breaking family ties painful, but sometimes necessary
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 22, 2010

Mimi Walker and her husband Graham serve as co-pastors of Druid Hills Baptist Church in Atlanta. However, Graham professes that Mimi is the lead pastor due to his full-time administrative and professorial duties at McAfee School of Theology.

Judy Woodward Bates: websites to save you money
By Judy Woodward Bates
Published April 22, 2010

There's a wealth of info in cyberspace that can help you and your family save time and money.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director GBC
Published April 22, 2010

Sadly, not every child has the opportunity that most of us had to grow up in a home with our natural family. In today's society, our children are often innocent victims, living in situations that are far from loving.

Fathers' influence key to daughters' self-esteem
By James Dobson
Published April 22, 2010