News

Veterans group builds army for Christ
Task Force Patriot
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published July 1, 2004

MOUNTAIN PARK – The veterans came from all walks of life, from a variety of denominational backgrounds, and each with their stories of military service. But as they gathered at Mountain Park First Baptist Church on the first Thursday evening in June, they came with a common purpose – to enjoy a good meal and fellowship in a distinctly Christian atmosphere.

SBC statistics for 2003 show growth in membership, churches
By Polly House
Published July 1, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — The Southern Baptist Convention reported a record membership of 16,315,050, up .41 percent over 2002, and grew to 43,024 churches, an increase of 249 new congregations, according to statistics released in the 2003 SBC Statistical Summary.

Crossover
Georgians take the Gospel to ‘The Crossroads of America’
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published July 1, 2004

Across Indiana, 100-plus churches were part of 75 Crossover events scheduled June 7-19, including block parties, street evangelism, neighborhood prayerwalking, door-to-door spiritual opinion surveys, and more than 40 revivals.

Wrap-Up: Messengers stick with SBC name, hear from President Bush during Indy meeting
By Michael Foust
Published July 1, 2004

INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – Southern Baptists declined to consider a new name for the denomination, pulled out of the Baptist World Alliance, rejected a much-publicized education proposal and heard a speech from President Bush during their June 15-16 annual meeting.

Two Georgians named by SBC to Committee on Nominations for 2004-05
Published July 1, 2004

INDIANAPOLIS (BP) — Two Georgians were among seventy Southern Baptists from 35 state conventions named to serve on the 2004 SBC Committee on Nominations.

First Church in Woodstock offers Hope for Las Vegas
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 1, 2004

There is Hope for Sin City, USA. Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Church in Woodstock, reasoned that the burgeoning city of Las Vegas, known for its gambling casinos and sexually provocative stage shows, was the perfect setting for a new church start. Hunt’s vision has now found expression in a supercharged body of believers who have moved into their first church facility at 180 East Pebble Road in Las Vegas, Nevada. In fact, Hope Baptist Church had the grand opening for its new facilities in anticipation of 1,200 worshipers June 26-27.

What freedom means to me... Wayne Cloudt
By Joe Westbury
Published July 1, 2004

Wayne Cloudt will never forget 1974. That’s the year he won the national lottery. The only problem was the prize was an all-expenses paid trip to Vietnam, courtesy of Uncle Sam.

What freedom means to me... Link Veazey
By Joe Westbury
Published July 1, 2004

Link Veazey served in the Army Air Corps, a forerunner of the U.S. Air Force, from 1943-45. He was stationed in England during World War II and flew bombing raids over Europe aboard B-24 bombers. He later served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1979. Today, at 81, he is retired and living in Snellville.

What freedom means to me... David South
By Joe Westbury
Published July 1, 2004

David South is a veteran of the U.S. Army and lives in Braselton. His son, Curtis, profiled on the adjoining page, has just received his commission as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

What freedom means to me... Charles Montrose
By Joe Westbury
Published July 1, 2004

As a high school senior in New York, Charles Montrose knew what to do when he learned about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As soon as he had his diploma in hand he headed to the local recruiting station where he volunteered to defend his nation.

What freedom means to me... Curtis South
By Joe Westbury
Published July 1, 2004

Curtis South was recently commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is one of the youngest and newest members of Task Force Patriot, and is awaiting his orders for oversees service to his country.

What freedom means to me... Hugo & Doris Parkman
By Joe Westbury
Published July 1, 2004

For nearly 28 years Hugo and Doris Parkman served Southern Baptists as missionaries in the Philippines. But prior to that, Hugo Parkman served his nation on board a submarine patrolling the East China Sea during World War II.

86% of evangelicals say Bush has their vote, Barna reports in new survey
By Michael Foust
Published July 1, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - A new survey shows that a “faith gap” exists between the two major presidential candidates, with 86 percent of Christian evangelicals saying they plan to vote for President Bush this fall.

What freedom means to me...
By Joe Westbury
Published July 1, 2004

Georgia Task Force Patiots band together to remember past missions for their country and to seek out new missions for God

NAMB appoints four missionaries with Georgia ties
Published July 1, 2004

ALPHARETTA – Four missionaries with ties to Georgia have been appointed by the North American Mission Board.

Georgia Revival Update
A look at what God is doing through revival and spiritual awakening
Published July 1, 2004

Georgia NewsBriefs

Georgia Baptist youth speak out in Youth Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament
By Maria Brannen, Children's Preschool Consultant, Discipleship and Family Ministries
Published July 1, 2004

On June 5 at Norman Park, 49 youth represented churches from across Georgia in the State Youth Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament.

Georgia collegians learn servanthood
By Mike Ebert
Published July 1, 2004

WHEATON, Ill. (BP) – Georgia Baptist college students learned servant leadership skills during sessions of a recent conference near Chicago, then put their new skills to work throughout the community during the day. The conference, called Impact Zone, was sponsored by the North American Mission Board and held on the campus of Wheaton College May 22-29.

On Mission churches to be recognized at annual convention meeting
Published July 1, 2004

Mission Volunteers Ministries of the Georgia Baptist Convention will be presenting the Barnabas Award at the annual convention held November 15-16 at College Park. The award will be given to the Georgia Baptist church which best epitomizes the challenge of Acts 1:8 in demonstrating a commitment to world evangelization through missions activity and being on mission for Christ.

Emerging Multihousing Church conference to be held at Southwestern Seminary Aug.26-27
Published July 1, 2004

Georgia Baptists who are interested in helping to start churches in multihousing settings are encouraged to attend an upcoming Emerging Multihousing Church conference. The national gathering will be held Aug. 26-27 at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

People and Places

Ordinations
Published July 1, 2004

Anniversaries
Published July 1, 2004

Homecomings
Published July 1, 2004

Honors
Published July 1, 2004

Retirements
Published July 1, 2004

Groundbreakings
Published July 1, 2004

Ministerial Moves
Published July 1, 2004

Obituaries
Published July 1, 2004

Graduations
Published July 1, 2004

Cooperative Program Stories

Young boys experience wilderness, spiritual lessons at Camp Kaleo
By Sherri Brown
Published July 1, 2004

A small blue and yellow sign is the only announcement of the entrance to Camp Kaleo. But at the end of the rutted dirt road is a boys’ paradise.

Bible Study

Encouraged by Sure Salvation
By Jerry Smith, Pastor, First Baptist McDonough
Published July 1, 2004

I have never doubted that I was the son of Leon and Mary Smith. I have my mother’s eyes and my father’s stature. I have my dad’s sense of humor and my mother’s love for reading. If you know my parents, then it wouldn’t be a stretch to believe that I am their son due to the similarities in our looks, talk, and mannerisms.

Encouraged by Redemptive Usefulness
By Jerry Smith, Pastor, First Baptist McDonough
Published July 1, 2004

I talked to a friend of mine last week who lives in Mississippi. He and I discussed local politics, mutual friends, and various churches across the magnolia state. As a native Mississippian, I was curious about what was going on there since I left last year.

Columns

The Confession of a Flag Waving American
By J. Gerald Harris
Published July 1, 2004

It was a Saturday evening in September of 1983 in Jackson, Miss. The sun was casting long shadows over War Memorial Stadium and a gentle breeze, a refreshing zephyr, provided the ideal climate for an autumn clash on the gridiron.

ABC’s of creating personal worship experiences for children
Marietta church staff member offers suggestions for improved children’s ministry
By Pamela Vandewalker, Minister of Drama/Children’s Music, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta
Published July 1, 2004

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Education is inefficient, but its importance is beyond doubt
By James Dobson
Published July 1, 2004

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published July 1, 2004

Sunday, July 18 is Senior Adult Sunday in Georgia Baptist churches across our state. As we celebrate Senior Adult Sunday in Georgia Baptist life, we are mindful of the outstanding ministry that is taking place through Baptist Village Retirement Communities and the Georgia Baptist Retirement Communities.